Control via expectation

[EschersEnigma]

I basically had my first lucid dream, out of the blue spontaneously, during a nap last weekend. At the very beginning of the dream, I was standing in a field and all I could think was "the hell am I doing here? I must be dreaming..." And just like that, I took off into the sky and flew around. Maybe it's how I normally think about things, but basically I internalized this belief that I expected that I could do it. I realized then and there that I could control my dreams and do absolutely anything by, quite literally, just doing it. By that I mean if, for example, I wanted to jump onto the roof of a 20 story building, all I would have to do is expect that I can do it and then just do it. An extension of this trick is something that I learned from reading a series of books called "Doom" (yes, pseudo-based on the game). I'm gay for Orwell, Tolkien, Bradbury, etc. etc. but believe me when I tell you that this little-known and entirely underrated series of novels are some of the most enrapturing and entertaining gems I've never been able to put down. I'm talking a dozen plus re-reads. But as I was saying, in the final book the protagonists are captured and their consciousnesses are inserted into a computer simulation of events that occurred in the previous novels. They of course realize this, and decide that they can attempt to break the rules of the simulation. They decided to use expectation to modify the simulation, for example expecting the exit to an area to be just around the corner and voila! The very next day after having my first lucid dream, I had a second one. Completely nuts that my first two happened on sequential days without even trying. In this dream, I decided that I would finally bed my friend that I've had a lifelong crush on. So I thought to myself "she's going to be right around this corner...", and I walk around the corner and she's just standing there. Months ago I did a lot of research into lucid dreams, and even without having one I had this idea in my head that given the opportunity I would instantly know how to control it. It's hard to explain without sounding like a vain prick, but I honestly feel like I have a natural ability to gain complete control over my subconscious and have a profound understanding of it. I feel like my experiences in these dreams may have confirmed that for me, however could my successes be a direct result of simple expectation? My expectation that I would have the utmost control over my dreams may just be ingrained in my mind, and in the dream with my subconscious brought to bare that expectation manifested into "reality".

[Sageous]

^^ Welcome to DV, EschersEnigma! Yes, it is much more likely that this control resulted from your expectations than complete control over your unconscious. Sorry! I have a feeling that if you had that sort of control, mixed with a profound understanding of your unconscious, you would likely not be asking about it, because you would already know the answer! Indeed, if you enjoyed that kind of direct control and understanding of the inner workings of your mind, you would probably have much better things to do than post on a website. Having a firm idea in your head that you will be able to control your LD is a very good thing, but it by no means implies mastery over your unconscious. Nice work on those dreams in any case; I hope your experiences continue!

[imrossed]

If you look at the dream control tutorial stickied to this section of the forums, you'll see it almost is all about how expectation controls your dreams. That's why for some its so hard to fly in dreams and what not, because if they jump to fly, they're still expecting to hit the ground due to a lifelong realization that gravity does exist. But coming out of the gate realizing this simple concept will take you far in lucid dreaming without the need to overcome certain mental barriers that many struggle with, so be proud of that! And welcome to DV!

[SinisterDezz]

Intention. There, that's all I have to say.

[imrossed]

Intention. There, that's all I have to say. I'd personally say it's more expectation than intention. Sure I can intend and try to fly, but if I expect myself to fall or doubt I can do it, I'm gonna fall. Could be different for different people, but for me that's been the case.