Thread: Richter's Dream Journal

My second lucid dream occurred only a week later; a coincidence that REALLY sparked my curiosity about dreams once more. It was far more complex, and a lot less scary, albeit quite strange in it's own right. I have had this dream as child many times, but again, never to this detail and not "quite" the same in every way.

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DRAGON DREAM: SEMI-LUCID
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In the dream, I found myself hiking through a small forest in autumn at dusk. Nothing out of the ordinary yet; in fact the woods were remarkably similar to a woods near my childhood home. I recall vividly the rays of sunlight that seep through the branches and limbs of tree canopies and cast shadow on the forest floor. As I continued walking, I saw two alligators in a ravine off the path I was on. I paid no attention to them, ignoring them and walking by.

I came to the edge of the forest and encountered a large field of straw-grass with a cottage-type house in the middle. I walked to the house and knocked on the door. A young woman answered. I remember I did not ask her name yet knew that is was Cassie. I have never known a Cassie, so this is strange in recollection. We chatted about the beauty of the forest and weather for a few moments. At the end of our conversation, she mentioned that I should get going, for whatever reason I don't know. So I did.

I continued on across the field to another stand of trees, and entered the darkness, as it was now very close to night. It gets stranger here: I felt what could be described as a warmth come over me, and started to change into what could only be a dragon. The experience was intense and vivid, a lot more so than in past occurrences of this dream (Oh, I forgot to mention; I've had similar dreams before, but never to THIS level). I could literally feel every part of me change, and I liked it. A lot. I remember the sensation of having a tail and wings and a snout the most. (To this day, I find it fascinating how the mind can create these sensations, even though I've never actually had any of them in waking life.) Being a dream, I didn't find anything strange about this at the time, and after the transformation, I simply continued walking, albeit on all fours.

I come to a building that could be described as factory made of cream brick and a tin roof; not scary or run down, but a little ominous as I remember. I decide to enter, and inside I find a large "lobby" of sorts with a staircase in the middle. In this lobby are several other "dragons", about seven of them; they all make basic greetings and are speaking english... We don't talk very long however; they all walk up the staircase without another word. I follow, and I come to a room at the top with a small cove in the wall. The other dragons are all gone. In this cove there is a mirror, and I look into it. I see my reflection, not only distorted in normal dream fashion, but distorted that it isn't my normal face, obviously.

This is when the dream becomes lucid. I notice that the reflection isn't my face at all! I say to myself maybe I'm dreaming, and the answer is yes. I'm really fascinated; I make some expressions into the mirror. At this point, I start getting that normal "I'm actually dreaming!" excitement that so many feel in their first lucids. Of course, this in turn wakes me up... I remember waking up with all the physical feelings that I had in the dream, but they only lasted truly for a few seconds. I thought to myself "WOW! What a trip!"

Besides the fact that I've dreamed twice in a week after such a dry spell, it was very vivid and real-feeling. Everything about it I can still remember perfectly; every emotion and and every sight... not to mention that from BOTH dreams I have awakened in the realization that they are indeed dreams. Thus, I set off to find out if other people have had such "bizarre" experiences. It turns out, a LOT have. I started at the Lucidity Institute Inc., and made my way from various sites and learned many things. I would like to have this dream again to perhaps find some meaning in it, since similar versions have occurred earlier in life. This dream has really been by motivation so far.

After the Dragon Dream, I followed the online advice of many people's work and started to recall dreams once more. It took about six months to start recalling more than once a week, though, and it took nine months to finally have a lucid dream. When I did have it, though, it was a doozy, at least for me.

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FLYING DREAM: TOTAL LUCIDITY, LOW-MODERATE CONTROL
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I started at my Aunt's house with she and her family, whom I live very close to currently. I had been practicing reality checks often, and I did one right off the bat! It succeeded in making me aware of my dream-state, and I was overjoyed. I figure now my REM period had just begun, which is why my LD lasted a decent time, especially for my first "induced" state of lucidity.

I remembered that one of the best things to do when starting is to try and fly, so I did. My first attempt was successful and I flew out the front door; I continued and found myself ouside an apartment complex I had lived in recently. Other people my age (18) were there flying as well, and I was eager to join them. I did a loop-de-loop and tried to do other stunts, but I felt like I wanted to tell somebody of my success. I decided to go back to my aunt's house and tell them; they were all happy for me and said I should keep practicing.

I tried to take off once more: I stuttered at first, gaining air but then falling back to ground and skimming it, but I eventually flew again. After a few minutes of sailing around the neighborhood I landed, anxious to try other things. When I returned to the house, my cousin started to speak to me; she said that anything I try in a dream is "penniless"... I still have NO idea what that means, but I took it in passing in the dream.

I recalled that often times checking one's digital watch is a good way to become lucid, so I did. I found the first strange thing to be that it was on my right arm, whereas I normally wear it on my left. The second oddity was that the watch had about a thousand flashing red lights on it, and the watch was beeping. As I thought about this fact, my dream started to fade and I awoke in my bed. This gave me my first step towards my goals, and I am still happy I had it. Hopefully more to come; in the meantime, I will record ANY dreams, lucid or not, in this journal. Maybe something good will come of it.

Ok, I have pitiful dream recall, so at least at first I am going to post ANYTHING that even resembles a dream. Two nights ago, I had a small dream; so insignifigant I won't even bother naming it.

I was playing basketball at my Grandmother's house. Now, two things in this dream could have been used to go lucid. The fac that my granny doesn't live in the house anymore, or the fact that I was playing on her LAWN. THat's right, on the grass. Don't ask how the ball managed to bounce, it just... did.

Anyways, I was playing with my neighbor, my cousin, and some other random people I've never met, I think. My cousin, Sarah, seems to be a regular in my few dreams, so maybe that's one of my dream signs.

Anyways, that's about it. Nothing of interest, no story, JUST basketball.

I WILL awaken from my dreams, and write them down. *repeats*

Ok, I dunno if this was even a dream, but I know I have a memory of it, and I know it didn't happen in real life. Still, it was such a minor dream. It was accompanied by strong emotion, however.

I was in my father's car, driving with him somewhere. I was arguing with him, about what I don't remember. Still, I remember feeling more angry at him than I've felt in a very long time. I woke up feeling angry at him, although it's funny that I don't know what for!

ALLRIGHT! I finally recalled a long and vivid dream, although it was a strange one! I even titled this one!

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LAKE MICHIGAN DREAM: NO LUCIDITY
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I was walking along a beach on Lake Michigan, similar to one I grew up near. The beach had a few changes though, like a huge dock and building that I've never seen before. Anyways, I was walking, and for some reason I had a bunch of marbles of different colors. I went underneath the docks, and threw one of the marbles into the water. I stuck my head under the water, and I saw a mermaid swimming up.

The mermaid surfaced, and we had a conversation, although for the life of me I can't remember what about. After this, (darn my stupid brain, this would have been quite OBVIOUSLY a cue to this being a dream...) I somehow end up in my home. I tell my mother that there's something I want to show her, and we drive to the beach, with my dog Coco in the car.

We arrive, and set out to the beach, with the dog on a leash. Problem is, there are a bunch of alligators/crocodiles on the beach. Why there are crocodiles by Lake Michigan, who knows, lol. Anyways, my dog is getting very crazy at the sight of them, and manages to escape from the leash. Coco charges at them, and being a dream I guess, manages to scare them all into the water. Good dog!

My mother and I head to the beach, and I throw another marble in, and then dunk my head. Instead of a mermaid this time, another alligator comes up! We all start running away from the beach, and this is when I wake up.

I'm certain that there are other details I've forgotten; I just can tell. However, I don't remember them, at least not yet. This was my most vivid dream yet, except for my lucids of course!

Arg!!! No dreams for the last 3 days. It was a busy weekend, however, and I didn't get to practice good sleeping habits. Tonight I go to work like normal, so tonight will be a good chance to remember stuff. I'm posting this as a sort of expirement in autosuggestion. I'll edit the post when I successfully recall one or more dreams tonight. G'night.

Ok, big update! I had a VERY long dream three days ago, and then just a few fragments for the last few days.

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On Nov 17, I dreamed about working at UPS extensively. It was strange though; the building I normally work in was changed. There were many catwalks and gratings surrounding me, and for some reason, there was no roof on the "building". It was like four walls sitting in the middle of outside. Weird. Anyways, there was some sort of dangerous situation. It was like an alarm went off, and we were all supposed to evacuate, so we did.

However, as soon as I left the "building" I was at what could be a drive-in movie theatre, careless about what had just happpened. I remember being suddenly younger, and I was running around playing with a bunch of kids my age. There was no movie playing; it was suddenly the middle of the day.
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On Nov 18, I remember ANOTHER UPS dream, but this one was far shorted, and far less detailed. UPS, or should I say work in general, seems to be a dreamsign for me.
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On Nov 20 (This morning) I had a small dream where I was wandering around in a parking lot behind my local grocery store. I was feeling quite strange about myself, althoug I can't remember why. I also remember seeing something that was particularly striking to me during the day before, but I can't seem to recall what. Maybe it will come to me some time in the future.

My recall is DEFINITELY improving!!! :yumdumdoodledum: I'm very happy!

Allright, the last time I updated this DJ was NOVEMBER FREAKING 20th... I need to get on the ball...

I also just noticed my last entry ends with: "My recall is definitely improving!" What happened?!?!?!?!

I haven't remembered many dreams since then, so I honestly can't say. However, I'm going to make a fresh start. From now on, I'm gonna update this baby first thing, EVERY morning, whether I had a dream or not. DJs are for personal development anyways, right?

If I was REALLY having that much success at one point, then I can absolutely recreate it... I just don't know how I forgot!

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Tuesday, April 10, 2007 (yesterday)
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I managed to remember a small fragment, but I KNOW it was a dream. I only wish I could remember more; the only image that appears is that of being on a TV game show. That's it. WOOHOOO, it's something!

I had a horrible time sleeping this morning; I didn't sleep! However, I tried to sleep again at 12:00 noon, and about an hour and a half later, I REMEMBERED ANOTHER DREAM!!!! w00t!

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Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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I am working at my job at UPS, loading boxes. (I should note that although I work at night, this dream took place in the day.) I am on top of the empty flatbed of a semi, loading boxes into ANOTHER trailer from outside. This is not the way it normally work, but eh... I'm with three of my coworkers, and they really aren't saying anything. Eventually, they leave, and the semi I'm on starts moving WITH ME ON IT. It starts going really fast; I hit the deck and hold on for dear life! I vividly remember the feeling of G-forces as the semi made turns, and the feeling of wind in my face. This is a surprisingly vivid dream!

Eventually, the truck comes to a stop under a roof-like structure, similar to that of a gas-station's raincover. I get off the trailer, and then a woman that works for UPS, a supervisor, comes up to me. She tells me that the driver should never have driven me away, and scolds said driver. She then tells me to go home because of the incident! (Freudian psychology, eh?&#33

When I go home, I suddenly end up later in the evening. I dunno if this was a skip in recall or what, but eh again. I think to myself "OMG I forgot to go back!!!" For some reason, I believed I was supposed to go back to work that day, but forgot! After that, I woke up.

All in all, a pretty vivid dream, considering I have had such terrible recall. I'm on my way, hopefully!

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Thursday, April 12, 2007
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I'm a little frustrated this morning. I actually called in to work last night, so I had a rare opportunity. I went to sleep at midnight (I normally sleep at 4:00am; any earlier time but midnight would have been too drastic a change), and I set my alarm for 5:00.............................................. .........pm...

Well, that sucked. I woke at 7:00am, which I guess isn't HORRIBLE, but still. I did not remember any dreams, and honestly I was too distracted by my late awakening to remember TO remember. lol. So, I tried going back to sleep again, and set my alarm for 9:00am.

I couldn't get to sleep! Arg, this was REALLY pissing me off! I lie there until 9:00am, when my buzzer went off. I turned it off, and tried to sleep again, except this time I didn't set the alarm.

I woke at 2:00pm. No recall; not even a fragment... Sorry for the rant and whine, but I'M PISSED! I'll try and sleep again later, but honestly I'm doubtful, even though I should be optimistic.

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Monday, July 09, 2007
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Well it's been three months since an update... lazy lazy lazy. I've had a fair amount of dreams since; my recall is about two dreams every other night or so. This is an improvement over once a month, so all's well I suppose... Just need to write them down! I've experienced two LDs since April, and although one was fairly low-level lucid-wise, the other was a flying dream!!! VERY enjoyable, those are!

Alright, to be honest I'm unsure how to post all my dreams in any intelligent fashion, so I'll just post them one by one, with no regard to the actual date the occured. Why I didn't write the date down is beyond me, but at least I wrote the dream, eh? I think I've found some reliable dreamsigns as well. They are as follows:

I) My Father
II) My Job (UPS Loader)
III) Dragons (Being one or seeing one)
IV) Being Thirsty

These dreamsigns occur in many of my dreams, yet they seem difficult for me to notice while dreaming so far. That's probably normal, though, so I suppose reality checking is in order. Either way, bottom line is I'm improving, and I know I'm gonna get better. I can't say I've always felt so positive, so it's a VERY welcome change! This DJ will be filled now, I think.