So Frustrating!

This is the third time this has happened now, and I could use some advice.
I'll be in a lucid dream. Then I'll get the idea that something scary will happen, and of course it does because I expect it to. Usually it's that whoever I'm with turns into a kidnapper (this scary looking man who's totally evil.) I'll try to change that by making him turn into someone else, or flying away, etc. but none of it works (again, because I don't expect it to!) The kidnapper will just laugh at my attempts and that discourages me, and I'll be stuck in this scary LD with no control. I know it's just me making this happen, because my mind created the DCs in the first place, but it's a lot harder when I'm actually in the situation and this guy's about to bury me alive, or whatever.
Any tips on how to get some control?? Any, and I mean any, help is appreciated. This is taking over my lucid dreaming!
Thanks,
Theresa

Sounds like you already hit the nail on the head. You expect these things to happen (or not happen), and so they do (or don't). Somehow, you have to have more confidence that good things will happen, and bad things won't. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that anyone can really tell you how to do that -- you just have to train yourself.

I've had a lot of lucid dreams and this still happens on occasion. I think the trick is to say over and over again "This is a dream, nothing can hurt me" Don't just say it, mean it.
Also try to picture yourself in a safe place, maybe somewhere hot and sunny, or think of pink fluffy cartoon bunnies - whatever floats you boat :-P .
Think of this safe place/ situation in your head. You will may find that it's hard not to think about the 'scary man' but the trick is to concentrate on happy thoughts.
Another trick is to laugh at him, even if you don't mean it at first. If you're laughing in your dream your mind will think something funny is happening and the scary situation will turn into a funny one.
In Laberges 'exploring the world of lucid dreaming' there is a chapter on overcoming nightmares. If my memory is correct I think it says that showing love towards a scary character can change the events in the dream. So next time you're in the situation tell the man that you love him, give him a hug smile at him and tell him you aren't scared.
Hope this helps.

Just wanted to add this little scenario:

You are dreaming and this scary DC appears, you remember that a post on Dream Views said that laughing at him will help. You begin to laugh but the character still tries to grab you. You carry on laughing and tell him that he is funny. He grabs you and throws you to the floor you laugh even harder and say to him 'You do realize that this is a dream don't you. Im not scared of you, I really like you" You point and laugh at the DC with the biggest smile on your face :D . You then realize this DC isn't scary at all in fact you notice that is your best friend playing a practical joke on you. You think to yourself 'What the hell was I worried about???' you both laugh.
You then think 'I have an entire dream world to explore I can't stay here all day! You jump up and fly away into a dreamscape of bliss - you continue laughing to yourself' :D

Thanks for the replies and great ideas! I will definitely try these suggestions next time this comes up.

If you're aware of that you're dreaming I can't see what the problem is. He is a dream character and can't hurt you. Just attack him with a knife or something and kill him with it, and try to be mad while doing so.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by King and God
If you're aware of that you're dreaming I can't see what the problem is. He is a dream character and can't hurt you. Just attack him with a knife or something and kill him with it, and try to be mad while doing so.

---

It's like watching a horor movie, you know it isn't real but things can still make you jump.
Sometimes you find that your emotions become overwhelming and irrational. If you start using violence when you already feel scared the dream is likely to become a nightmare.
As for "being mad while doing so" the emotions in dreams pass on in to waking life if your scared you wake up scared, if your happy you wake up feeling happy etc. I don't see how getting angry in this situation would help.

I'm doing so to conquer nightmares and it always work. And when I wake up I feel proud about myself for defeating fear, aswell as pleased (as long as it isn't a lucid dream, since I know that I'm dreaming there).

Madness and anger have two different meanings, by the way.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by King and God

Madness and anger have two different meanings, by the way.

---

Ok but you didn't say madness you said mad which can be read as angry. Anyway, my main point is that if something scares you showing love towards it and not allowing it to effect you can help overcome nightmares.

Personally, if I have a dream about attacking someone with a knife I would consider it a nightmare as I can't imagine any violent acts would be pleasurable (this is just my opinion)

As for your point about not being lucid I thought that the whole point of the post was that theresa still became fearful when she was lucid. From personal experience I have found the best method is to become happy and joyful. Once you are in that state of mind the dream scenes around you tend to reflect this mood.

stop thinking.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Theresa
This is the third time this has happened now, and I could use some advice. *
I'll be in a lucid dream. Then I'll get the idea that something scary will happen, and of course it does because I expect it to. Usually it's that whoever I'm with turns into a kidnapper (this scary looking man who's totally evil.) I'll try to change that by making him turn into someone else, or flying away, etc. but none of it works (again, because I don't expect it to!) The kidnapper will just laugh at my attempts and that discourages me, and I'll be stuck in this scary LD with no control. I know it's just me making this happen, because my mind created the DCs in the first place, but it's a lot harder when I'm actually in the situation and this guy's about to bury me alive, or whatever.
Any tips on how to get some control?? Any, and I mean any, help is appreciated. This is taking over my lucid dreaming! *
Thanks,
Theresa

---

Thats exactly where i am its soooo annoying. I mean, ok, before i even knew what lucid dreaming meant, i still liked the idea of controlling my dreams. I was always fascinated in flying etc. But for SOME REASON i could only have limited control. I mean i can remember one time i wanted to fly, so i was outside in the front of my house, but all i could go was like 2 feet above the ground!! and soon i just couldnt fly any more in that dream. I duno i think its b/c i know in reality i cant do it, so i just assume i cant do it in dreaming or sumthing.. but its so annoying. in other dreams..umm.. i wanted to dream of this really hot chick..but all i come out with is a fat old lady. haha. i hate it.