Dream control dryspell.

[Puffin]

I'm pulling my hair out, it's so frustrating, this dryspell. I've had at least four LDs in the past few nights, and in each of them I had squat control. I did manage to summon one DC, but it took almost the whole dream time and they appeared up on a ledge, unwilling to come down even with my expectations that they'd say "sure". How do I get through this? I've been spending my past LDs waddling around with nothing to do; I can't even fly.

[AnthonyMo]

Maybe your trying too hard... try proving you can fly first... then try summoning something else like oh,... a cookie... then that will probably make your body sure your dreaming... which in turn may halp you summon DC easieer

[Hazel]

I've had this problem before; It's really annoying. One possible solution is autosuggestion. Before you go to sleep, tell yourself that you will have full control over your dreams. Also, during the day, try visualizing different aspects of dream control. Picture yourself flying, etc; be able to feel it with all of your senses. Most importantly, don't let it psyche you out. Likely the worry that you won't be able to have control is the main thing that is inhibiting you. If you are in the dream and you find that you can't do whatever it is that you're trying to do, stop and take a deep breath. Focus only on what you want to happen, and make it happen. If I am ever having problems with control, I often have to use roundabout methods to get what I want. For instance, if I can't make a person appear in front of me, I will ask another DC to point them out for me. The same with shapeshifting... I tried to turn into a dog once, and when it didn't work I just ran around on all fours and pretended I was a dog. If you pretend hard enough in dreams, chances are it'll really happen.

[The Cusp]

...even with my expectations... The first thing you need to do is forget all that bullshit about belief and expectations. It's misinformation that gets passed around like the rumor that you can only dream in REM sleep. I'll be so glad when I finally kill that belief in belief. Beliefs are nothing but archetypal structures, expectations are even less than that. Learn to use your personal archetypes, but don't limit yourself to beliefs. Archetype are all the associations you make with any subject. If you use an archetype that has too many different associations (by focusing your attention on it), you end up with random results. But if you use a well defined archetype with fewer clear and distinct associations, it reduces the number of possible outcomes. You can rarely get pinpoint control over the outcome of archetypes, but you can narrow down the possibilities, and combine it with the rules below. You want to learn dream control, start with the basics and work your way up. 1) Everything requires your attention to exist Start by ignoring DCs, and observe how they require you to be aware of them to exist. You could also experiment with pain, which you only feel when you focus on it. Stick you hand in something dangerous without paying it any attention and you won't feel a thing. Do it again while focusing intently on the physical sensations, and it will really hurt. 2) The more attention you give something, the more related detail it creates. I find insects are great to experiment with. Find some bugs in your dream and really focus on them. Next thing you know, there are more and more of them. This is what causes nightmares, too much attention on something, and it grows out of control. 3) Strong emotions play a powerful role in influencing your surroundings. Force yourself to radiate any old emotion, and watch how the behavior of you DCs change. Master those three principles, and your control will improve tremendously.

[AnthonyMo]

Wow that sounds like great advice

[Puffin]

Thanks for the advice everyone; I'll try it if I get another dryspell. I think mine ended this morning, before I read all these comments.