problems with dream control

[Siri]

Okay, I'm having real trouble with dream control. It seems like everytime I try to change something in my dreams, the outcome is completely dissatisfying. For example, I tried to summon two characters, whom I know from a TV show, by telling myself that they would be there when I turned around the next corner. Well, they were there, but they were only half size. I tried the same technique when I wanted to fly Airwolf, but I only got a small toy helicopter. I made myself smaller, so I could fit in, but then I found that the helicopter only soared instead of flying and everytime I wanted to fly higher, it just flew backwards. I have a similar problem when I want to fly without any device: I just manage a little soaring or I'm flying so high that everything down there just looks like a map or a bad drawing. This is getting extremely frustrating. Suggestions of any kind would be appreciated.

[Abra]

Ha, that's funny. But, you're frustrated. Thing is, I have this problem, too, and I think it might be a mental block. I haven't tried any remedy besides believing "it will work next time!" with some success. I usually end up making up for my failed part of the dream by doing something I know I can do. Always have an adventure fallback, I suppose. If all else fails, you can always interview dream characters, or go for a walk. Also, while lucid, focus on realism. Stabilize the dream, and notice how detailed everything is. This doesn't help with summons/flying, but if you do this, the dream becomes clearer, and for that reason alone more rewarding.

[Siri]

Thanks, Abra, it's good to know I'm not alone with this problem Maybe it really is a mental block and I just need a more light-hearted attitude. I mean, it just feels like my subconscious is pulling my leg or something If all else fails, you can always interview dream characters, or go for a walk. True enough. I also like your suggestion to focus on dream stabilization. Could even be that the root of the problem is here and it'll sure be rewarding to have more realistic dreams. Thanks again!

[JBurger]

I don't know if everyone has this problem. But I know I have. Maybe its a common thing. I find that this happens to me when I'm semi lucid, but not as lucid as I can be. I'll have trouble concentrating and focusing on exactly what I want. I'll end up putting so much focus into one object that I end up making it worse rather than better. I found over time that actually putting less focus into things can help. Once you begin focus on one item, in your scenario a helicopter, and it doesn't turn out the way you want it, it creates this tension and frustration. Once that frustration starts, it begins to affect your dream state. Emotion can have a heavy effect on your dreams, and lucid dreams. In this case the helicopter is too small and won't fly forwards. Good work around with making yourself small, this means you are in decent control. But when you were in the helicopter, did it feel like you were small and the helicopter was small, or did it resume back to a normal realitive size once you were inside it. I find what helps me in the kind of situation, is basically lieing to myself. When summoning something that you intend to use and it doesn't show up correctly, tell yourself it did and go ahead and begin using it like you would normally. Open that door and try to get in. What I think makes this work sometimes is forced time skips. In a normal dream, you'll be walking around with some ultimate goal you are trying to reach in some sort of scene created in your mind. You'll know exactly what you intend to do and you make attempts to fufill that. Suddenly, the story turns, and you are some where else doing something else, and you don't even remember what that other goal was. It's basically the same aspect except you are forcing it, and are aware of it. The helicopter is too small, you reach down to get in and then fuzz things up a little bit in your mind, close your eyes or turn away and just imagin yourself in the helicopter, next thing you know, there you are and it didn't even matter that it was too small. This can probably translate into making it move forward as well. Also losing focus on an object and regaining focus can help as well. How are you flying this thing? Gas pedals? Joystick? Mind control? Lets say joystick. Move it forwards, and it's going backwards. Well that one doesn't work obviously, look for another one, suddenly there is another one...maybe this one works better. This helps lower your frustration in the dream since you aren't trying to force something to work that, just won't, instead you just create something else that does work. Being in control of your emotions helps you be in control of your dream. Hope this helps...even a little bit.

[Siri]

Thank you for your suggestions, JBurger. I'm grateful for any new ideas on how to approach this. But when you were in the helicopter, did it feel like you were small and the helicopter was small, or did it resume back to a normal realitive size once you were inside it. Once I was inside, things turned normal again. It didn't feel like a toy helicopter anymore and the landscape around me was normal size, too. Also losing focus on an object and regaining focus can help as well. How are you flying this thing? Gas pedals? Joystick? Mind control? Lets say joystick. Move it forwards, and it's going backwards. Well that one doesn't work obviously, look for another one, suddenly there is another one...maybe this one works better. What a neat idea! I wonder why I didn't think of that myself LOL I guess I should really work on my frustration level when I don't get what I expected - it can really ruin your LD experience. This seems like an smooth way around it, so I'll try to keep that in mind Thanks, you've been a great help!

[Latif]

ever since childhood even in a dream i have total control and can choose to wake up or influence the dream in various ways, i have had miraculous answers to problems shown to me in my dreams and even write music and things! I believe it's all coming from my subconscious mind somehow and I'm curious how many other people experience this? Heel Tastic

[mrdeano]

One thing you have to realise is that there is nothing that is preventing you from making this work correctly. Its all in your head. You need to remove all worries from your mind and be completely and utterly sure that it will work. Any doubts will make the result dissatisfying. I have had the same issue before with summoning people. Once I finally summoned them they would end up looking slightly different or not being the right shape or disfigured. I got completely frustrated by it and the more I worried the worse it got. I had to think of each Lucid Dream as a fresh slate, a new chance for it to work. I tried my up most to remove all the worries and doubts I had in my mind. I made sure before I went to sleep that it will work 100%. And it did! Keep at it I wish you luckk