How obvious can it get?

[cjacollins]

So after a long period of inactivity (and previously not much success), I became interested in lucid dreaming again. Since then I have been doing reality checks and keeping a dream journal trying to build up my recall again.. Since doing this I've remembered more dreams for the most part.. and they seem to be stranger than usual. Last night was an exception to this however. I went to bed quite late so I think this affected the quality of my sleep etc. All I remember from it is that I was going to some kind of 'group' with a friend. The sole purpose of this group was to discuss Lucid Dreaming!! There I was chatting away about lucid dreaming but did I become lucid? NO.. *FacePalm* How obvious could it have got? haha Any one got any tips for lucidity?

[splodeymissile]

Very annoying, aren't they? Unfortunately, aside from keeping up what you're doing with dream journals and the like (or going WILD), there's not much that can be done. Seems to just be bad luck. Still the fact that you're dreaming about lucid dreaming shows that all this prep is beginning to pay off.

[cjacollins]

Yeah I think your right, thanks for the reply ! My dream recall is still not perfect so I guess I'll work on that a bit more and see where that leads me..

[Laurelindo]

Talking about lucid dreaming in a dream doesn't necessarily make you lucid. Having the topic lucid dreaming in your dreams only means that you will focus on the lucid dreaming as a discussion, without actually making any associations to being in a dream. It's just like watching a movie with a lot of special effects - if you watch The Matrix then you don't go "wait, that scene just now is impossible! - how the...? there's something suspicious about all this...", you just enjoy the movie and appreciate the effects, and your reactions are more like "wow, that was a cool scene!". Self-awareness and critical thinking are two different things. If you want to become lucid by talking about lucid dreaming then you need to teach your brain to react that way - for example, ask yourself honestly if you might be dreaming whenever you think a lot about lucid dreaming in waking life.

[JadeGreen]

This can be a problem I've found, especially if you have been lucid dreaming for a very long time. Your brain just registers lucid dreaming as "a thing you do" rather than "attempting to become aware that you are dreaming while you are dreaming". The reason being, your brain likes to simplify things and take shortcuts. In a way, You can sometimes forget the context of the phrase lucid dreaming. It can be difficult to do if you have been at it for awhile. If your using DILD (Reality Checks) then you need to make sure that you are really questioning reality when you do it. For a few months, I made a very bad habit of pinching my nose to reality check, but never really thinking about it. The result: No LDs. Try doing multiple RCs whenever you think to do one. Mix and match RCs, say do a Nose Pinch and ask yourself if you're dreaming. Maybe later you think to RC agian, you can look at a clock, then try and poke your finger through your hand. Maybe say your Mantra (if you use one) or try ADA for a few minutes. Think about your dream goals. Think about past dreams and possible dream signs. Think about stabilizing your dreams. Recount how you got to your present situation. Every time lucid dreaming (or dreams in general) are mentioned you should be on red alert, looking out to see if you're dreaming.

[cjacollins]

Thanks for the reply, you've given me a lot to think about! Yeah I generally aim towards DILD's (not to say that I wont try other methods in the future). Sometimes I find motivation is an issue and then my reality checks just become meaningless apposed to what they should be.. As for mantras have you got any recommendations? and should they be said aloud or in your head? thanks again!

[JadeGreen]

Thanks for the reply, you've given me a lot to think about! Yeah I generally aim towards DILD's (not to say that I wont try other methods in the future). Sometimes I find motivation is an issue and then my reality checks just become meaningless apposed to what they should be.. As for mantras have you got any recommendations? and should they be said aloud or in your head? thanks again! Your welcome. If motivation is an issue, do what I do. Make a list of all the things you want to do while lucid dreaming. But when you make the list, don't just list the things you want to do. Explain why you want to do them, and describe the ideal experience. Bad: I want to fly in a lucid dream. Good: Imagine myself shooting through the air like superman, the wind blowing through my hair. I rocket past a jet airplane, and barrel roll down twoards the city. I begin banking through the skyscrapers, feeling the exhilarating pull of the G-forces on my body. The citizens (dream characters) look on in amazement as I weave through the skyline. Do that for all your dream goals. Then, whenever you feel unmotivated, read through your dream goals. There should be at least one that gets your heart pumping and you wanting to do lucid dreaming agian.

[cjacollins]

Definitely going to give this a go! Also want to converse with DC's As haven't really done that.. I think even just being on this forum is great for motivation and lucidity!