I need some help with becoming more concious and aware while trying to attain lucidity.

I've been at lucid dreaming for months now, and I've kept a dream journal for all that time. I've practiced many techniques, like for example holding my hands infront of my face and repeating to myself that when I see my hands in my sleep, I will realize that I am dreaming every night for about 5-10 minutes. The problem I have is that I feel like even when I see a dream sign like my hands, I can't do anything about it. It feels like I'm watching a movie with no control or thinking, but I have had times where I do realize I'm trying, but my mind shuts the dream off knowing it's not real. Also, I'm new to this forum so any help would be MUCH appreciated!

it takes a while until you get used to it. it happens to all beginners. just don't lose the faith!

Hey there, welcome to the DV :)
How long do you usually practice a certain technique? Remember that it may take quite a bit of time for you to adjust to a certain technique, so don't give up on it quickly! I suggest practicing more awareness. The more aware you are in real life, the more aware you will be in your dreams. Check this out: http://www.dreamviews.com/f49/all-da...gyoshi-113253/

And remember to really put a lot of thought in your reality checks, and not just do them passively for the sake of doing a reality check :D

Thanks! I've been at lucid dreaming since last April, so I've tried tons of things. Dream journal, MILD, tons of different types of reality checks, and yesterday I tried SSILD, and I can say I wasn't disappointed by SSILD. After I did the steps for SSILD and went back to sleep, I immediately felt like I was falling through my bed and going into an OBE! Sadly, I didn't, but I can say that I loved the feeling anyways and I'm sure I'll try it again tonight.

I know how you feel TofuBitz. Hobson said that dreaming is like having schizophrenia, you believe you are a completely different person, it's almost like being in another person's body and mind every night.

I used to feel like that before as well in my early years of practice. Now I am still like that sometimes but I am more aware of myself, my dreaming awareness self. It's not problem free either though because now I act completely with instincts even though I am aware. So instead of being schizophrenic I have either borderline or multiple personality disorder.

I am not joking by mentioning those I first realized that it was like that when I studied psychology in school.

Usually I would say that there is nothing you can do except practice. Although I have some tips and tricks or AIDS that help me, and perhaps it can help you too.

1. Dream journaling is important, I used to told myself that it wasn't and stopped doing it, but when I started doing it again, my dream awareness was kick started. So keep doing that.
2. The bedtime is very important, if I go to bed too late I know I wont remember any dreams or have much awareness in them. 21:00 is my optimal bedtime, but I usually go to bed 22:00
if I go any later the recall decreases and my control of my dreaming mind and awareness as well.
3. I have only tried it one night (the previous night) so I am not 100 % sure about this one yet. You can read how I found out about this in my Dream Journal.
But if I drink 2 glass of water right before going to bed, it will trigger awakenings easier from my normal dreams and thereby give me a free opportunity to DEILD.
Later on in the night it makes me feel the urge to go to the bathroom as well, which gives me a alarm-clock free WBTB and a perfectly timed WILD opportunity.

But by not going for MILD but actually DEILD, DILD and WILD, you don't need to do anything during the day, because these tricks helps you become aware enough without the need of reality checks.

I hope it works out for you and that these tips were helpful.