Is controlling a matter of skill?

[tryagain]

When I become lucid, I can't control things like I'm supposed to. Like I can't make people pop up when they knock on the door and stuff. I have big problems controlling dream characters. Is this supposed to get better the more I get lucid, or am I doing somethign wrong

[Seeker]

Originally posted by tryagain When I become lucid, I can't control things like I'm supposed to. Like you're supposed to? I think you are putting too much pressure on yourself or have let someone give to too great expectations. I cannot control a lot in my lucid dreams either, in fact, I conciously avoid trying to control everything. Don't get me wrong though, I enjoy messing around with stuff in my lucid dreams, but it is usually so much more fun to let the dream take it's own course. Now, that said. If you want to control things, the biggest obsticle in your path is belief in yourself. I've found that when I cannot control something I would like, that I have to just step back for a minute and shake my head and say: "Silly Seeker, it's your lucid dream, believe in yourself" That will usually do the trick.

[Placebo]

Yep, seeker hit the nail on the head. Control doesn't necessarily come naturally, and few (if any) of us have 100% control. The essential piece is being able to believe The following helps IMO : 1 - Take things for granted. Expectation. 2 - Make it EASIER to believe (eg. it's harder to expect a book to materialise in front of your eyes, than turning around and seeing a book on the floor) 3 - Using shortcuts to achieve the above. For example, you want to fly? Then take a levitation pill (that was conveniently in your pocket the whole time). Or turn around and use the jetpack that was lying on the floor the whole time. Once you're flying, tell yourself 'Hey, it was just a trick. I'm flying by myself!'. It's just easier on your expectation of the way things work. Things don't just appear, they tend to have cause and effect. 4 - Don't think so much, just do it. Overthinking or overcomplicating will make you think of all the reasons why it won't work, rather than why it will

[samf]

for me, I just realised that all I have to say (out loud in the dream) I'm dreaming, so (whatever you wan't to happen) will happen." Very easy way to controll dreams for me!!!

[Danny]

I have been lucid dreaming for years and my first skill i learnt was levitation/flying and I still have lots of trouble controlling it such as direction and height but other things like telekinesis are simple to me, its just how you percieve what you want to do.

[Hate]

I wouldn't say it's a matter of skill even though it becomes easier as you get more experience. It's just a matter of belief. All you really need is to know that you can do what you want, because you can. It just becomes easier for your brain to accept that when you get experienced. This was pretty much the same that Seeker and Placebo said, but it can't be highlighted enough. Don't think you can. Know you can and you will!

[nightowl]

what they all said. Also i believe that with more experience, you'll gain more knowledge of control. you'll find out what works best for you and what not