My second LD eludes me...

Managed to have my first LD in September of last year, ever since then I haven't been able to have my second LD. It's getting really annoying now. I have perfect dream recall and can remember at least 2 dreams per night. My dreams are also pretty clear too. I must admit I haven't yet got into the habit of consistently performing reality checks or recording my dreams on a regular basis.

There have been a couple of occasions where i have missed becoming lucid too. The other night, whilst dreaming, someone asked me to do something in my dream and I told them that "I dream all the time so I'll do it next time"!!!

I know this is probably an often asked question - but - is there any kind of advice anyone can give me to put me in the right direction??? Am I in the wrong mindset etc...?

Thanks for your replies in advance. Craig Garcia.

It sounds to me that your awareness needs some work. Try to get in the habit of performing reality checks, but really believe that you could be dreaming before you do.

You can find more information on gab's guide, I found it really helpful.

Also, KingYoshi's guide on All Day Awareness is another interesting technique that will not only help your dreams but your waking life as well.

I'm sure that with awareness practice you'll be able to achieve your second lucid dream. Good luck!

You answered your own question... regular RCs and journalling are critical elements. If you don't question reality when awake you won't when asleep.

Thank you for your reply Paranoid Llama(???). Very helpful, thank you.

Yes Rothgar, I understand that I am limiting myself whilst not doing RC's and journalling,I admitted that, but I have been attempting WILD with no success whatsoever. I am currently reading on how do perform All Day Awareness (ADA). Hopefully this will help me in my quest.

Take heart in knowing that "anybody" can get one LD (how long did it take from start of practice to your first, by the way?), but that LD #2 is the real test.

Consistency does help. Write in that DJ every day, really look forwards to the night with anticipation. It's a great sign that your recall is holding: but in the meanwhile, try to build it ever higher. Intent is also key: you need to keep that level of excitement high and really look forward to the adventures of the night, and plan that you have "an appointment with lucidity."

Try to much more regularly question your state. In addition to fairly regular RCs (which you should perform with all of your attention) , have "critical reflection" moments where you really dive in to your state: ask questions like "What's going on here?", "Is this a waking location?" "how odd is this?" and "Why do I think I'm awake?" just to list a few.

Also, focusing on your recall has the benefit of becoming even more familiar with dreams, the "dream feeling," and your dream signs. Doing frequent MILD visualizations on dreamsigns is also very helpful for lucidity.

To summarize (and add a few), the keys to LDing are:

+ strong intent
+ positive attitude
+ great dream recall
+ skilled at relaxation (to get back to sleep reasonably quickly after night-time wakings)
+ practices daytime awareness
+ night-time practices (MILD, WILD, DEILD, noticing wakings, WBTB)
+ consistency over long periods of time
+ dedication! Don't quit!

Something I'm rather lax about but is also really important: create and maintain a set of growth-goals: just a touch beyond where your comfort is: to start with, use this to grow recall, and add lucidity goals to that as you go (performing 3 WBTBs per week, etc.).

Having in-dream goals is good, too. Following the TOTM is one good way to always have a set of stuff you want to do in a LD.

Cheers Fryingman. My LD inetent is extreme when I go to bed. It took me 3 months to have my first Lucid Dream btw.

Best of luck to you! You may want to take advantage of the wonderful DVA section on the forums, open up a workbook in a class like the "Intro" or the "DILD" class and you can keep an ongoing journal there to aid in motivation and commitment, and ask questions and receive feedback from the friendly neighborhood DVA teachers there ;).