Not dreaming?

**Padmei** · 05-04-2006 02:11 PM

For the past 2 years or so I can only recall ever having 7 or 8 dreams. If this is just a problem with recall I can understand, but as soon as I wake up I lose it. My sleep times are unusual, so I was going to try a more static schedule, currently I'll sleep 5 hours one day and 12 another. Also, the 3 or 4 dreams that I can recall everything was quick, probably only lasted what seemed like 16 seconds, and it was like 7 or 8 frames, like a still picture, only I almost felt like I was in it. But I have only had one dream that I remember that I actually moved around and did something, which interestingly enough I happened to go lucid by accident, it was obvious to me that it was a dream and I was in between both, but I was pinned down in the dream and I couldn't move. Anyways, any help on this would be great, I'm very interested in dreams.

**Tornado Joe** · 05-04-2006 02:18 PM

Hi Padmei and

but as soon as I wake up I lose it[/b]

How are you waking up? By alarm? If you are awakened suddenly and move your body too much your dream imagery will instantly fade. If you wake up gradually and naturally you stand a much better chance of pulling your dream imagery (and other memories) with you through your awake state.

it was obvious to me that it was a dream and I was in between both, but I was pinned down in the dream and I couldn't move.[/b]

This sounds like sleep paralysis, very common in the "in-between" stages of sleep (if that is what you are referring to by "I was in between both".) This is a natural process your body does every night as you transition from being awake to being asleep. Your brain "locks up" the controls of your body so you won't start moving around and acting out what happens in a dream.

Next time you find yourself paralyzed just relax an expect to drift off into a lucid dream (if you can keep your mind aware as you slip into the dream). You may want to read up on the WILD technique in the Tutorials seciton.