Newbie: in dream control v per-wired dream

[Petetobin]

How do I know that I am in control in a dream versus dreaming I am in control. I had a dream where I was aware and did all sorts of things apparently under control of my aware self. I am now convinced it was all a dream brought on my thinking about lucid dreaming and I wasn't in control at all. I suspect this is the million dollar question with regards to LD but at the end of the day is there any difference between a pre-programmed dream and one you are controlling as you go?

[JoannaB]

Well, do you remember an aha moment when you realized it was a dream? If you really remember being aware then chances are high it was a lucid dream because awareness of dream state is really the difference. In a nonlucid dream about lucid dreaming, you would not really be aware. Ultimately, only you can tell though. And even a dream about lucid dreaming is progress, and likely means a lucid is around the corner.

[Rothgar]

Tell yourself ahead of time something to do while in the dream. If you have the presence of mind to do it, you will know it is " you" in control.

[Astaroth]

It's a little difficult. I've been having dreams like that for two days and I'm not really sure if I was dreaming that I had a lucid one or if it really had a lucid dream.

[Rothgar]

If you cant remember to do pre-planned activities you may not be lucid, or at least very low lucidity.

[JoannaB]

If you cant remember to do pre-planned activities you may not be lucid, or at least very low lucidity. Nope, memory is not a prerequisite for lucidity nor for waking life. Last time I was lucid I did not remember my dream goals so I decided to fly instead. I often forget to do pre-planned activities while waking too. Often I will remember something in the car where I have no way of doing it, but once I am somewhere where I can do it, I forget to do so. Like you said, it's the million dollar question. There are researchers outside the lucidity institute (wish I could source it) that claim lucid dreaming doesn't exist. In other words, the very idea of a "you" controlling the dream is just the mind's subconscious powers animating the events in the dream. But that sounds needlessly complicated eh? This does not sound needlessly complex, but it is an inaccurate explanation for the experience. Only someone who never had a lucid dream could believe that I think.

[chickenfhtagn]

Like you said, it's the million dollar question. There are researchers outside the lucidity institute (wish I could source it) that claim lucid dreaming doesn't exist. In other words, the very idea of a "you" controlling the dream is just the mind's subconscious powers animating the events in the dream. But that sounds needlessly complicated eh? Of course, I believe lucid dreaming is a legitimate phenomenon, because I experience dreams far differently when consciously aware of the dream world. Finally, I understand where you're coming from. After all, you obviously have thoughts and ideas in non-lucid dreams, yet you aren't conscious of them.

[Rothgar]

I agree that I have had lucid dreams where I didnt think to do preplanned activities. But..when you do have one where you remember to do it, there's no doubt in your mind that it is " you" in the dream.

[duke396]

I lean toward the low-level lucid dream theory on this one... I had an experience the other night where I knew it was a dream but I was pretty much going along with the flow of how it was before I knew, only I was using it to gain an advantage over the DCs. There wasn't really a defined "aha" moment, I just kind of knew at one point and for the most part it felt like I was on autopilot. I think knowing it's a dream is the key, whether you are actually in control or not. Sometimes it's interesting to see how everything plays out when I know it's a dream but the plot and environment stay the same. Not to say I wouldn't rather have had the awareness to just fly off and do my own thing, but I feel like that is just another level of being lucid and the higher level you're in, the more of "you" is there to actively think and make decisions. This kind of makes my head hurt, lol.