Thread: I'm being weighed down?

OK, I have had the luck to have a number of lucid dreams. However, my biggest problem is feeling this huge weight that presses down on me with the result I find it very hard to move.

For example, I was dreaming one night and became lucid. There was these dream characters and they happened to turn around and ask me to join them. Curious, I began to follow them. At this point I had been lucid for only a number of seconds. As soon as I tried to move I felt this weight that I have described. I could move somewhat, but it was very slow and very difficult. The dream characters even commented on me not being able to move. The weight just got worse, and finally I was on the floor, and then I woke up.

Another example was when I was flying in a normal dream, became lucid, and at the moment I became lucid the weight appeared again, dragging me down.

Has anyone any suggestions of how I can combat this? The weight never happens in my normal dreams, it only occurs at the very moment I become lucid.

I used to have that experience early on. I believe what is happening is your brain is attempting to move your body, which is not responding. It still thinks of moving like in waking life. In LDs it is more the intent to move that moves you. You do not engage all the muscles and so on. The next time it happens try to tell yourself you do not really need to move, but can just drift around without effort. It is a mental adjustment, and may take time, but you will get past it.

Curios question: When you wake up from these dreams, how long have you slept? Is this occuring early in your sleep period or later, like closer to the morning?

Thanks for the advice guys . I'll try to remember what you said next time I become lucid.

Originally Posted by melanieb

Curios question: When you wake up from these dreams, how long have you slept? Is this occuring early in your sleep period or later, like closer to the morning?

Well, it's hard to be completely sure, but I'd say that I would be asleep for a number of hours. To give an actual time, about four in the morning.

I think sivason is right. I get this when my attention starts to drift to my body in bed. This is very common in WILDs or OBEs that begin in your bedroom. The traditional advice is to get away from your bedroom and your body as soon as possible to stop the confusion and separate your attention. Try not to struggle against the weight. Instead, imagine you are light and airy, like a ghost, or a breeze. Just drift away. Once the sensation of movement kicks in, the problem should solve itself.

It seems like your lucid periods are happening righ when your body is ready to wake naturally... I mean, the first sleep cycle has ended and the lucidity is enough to stir your body awake at that moment.

Another question...do you always wake up and find yourself lying on your back?

Are you a back or side-sleeper?


I find the mind integrates so much of what is going on around us while we sleep that even our sleeping position can affect our dreams. If you find yourself waking no your back perhaps try sleeping on your side with a body pillow for a while. Even a pillow from a king or queen size bed may do the trick, just something long enough to prop up against your back and hold you in position.

I hope you find restful sleep and better LDs.

Originally Posted by melanieb

It seems like your lucid periods are happening righ when your body is ready to wake naturally... I mean, the first sleep cycle has ended and the lucidity is enough to stir your body awake at that moment.

Another question...do you always wake up and find yourself lying on your back?

Are you a back or side-sleeper?


I find the mind integrates so much of what is going on around us while we sleep that even our sleeping position can affect our dreams. If you find yourself waking no your back perhaps try sleeping on your side with a body pillow for a while. Even a pillow from a king or queen size bed may do the trick, just something long enough to prop up against your back and hold you in position.

I hope you find restful sleep and better LDs.

I either wake up on my back or my belly. Though I find that when I have lucid dreams I'm on my back.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try to sleep on my side with a pillow. Though, I'm not sure if I'll be able to because whenever I do try to sleep on my side I can't sleep. Still, I will try.