LDs too short

Hi everyone

I've been getting into lucid dreaming lately, and I'm able to induce them if I get enough sleep using reality checks. My problem is that once I become lucid, I can only stay lucid for 10 seconds or so. I feel the dream fading away and nothing I do helps. I've tried hand rubbing and dream spinning, neither of which seem to work in extending my LDs. Is this a common problem for new LDers? Would it help if I used some other induction techniques?

Any help you can give me concerning making my LDs longer would help alot :)

Thanks

It's just a common problem. Lots of times your dream has been going for a while (allowing you to do a reality check) and you dream was about to fade out anyway because you were nearing the end of your REM cycle.

Some LDs you simply can't lock onto. For other times just stay calm and look around for a while, taking in everything. Once you examine yours surroundings more carefully you will have a better lock on your dream.

Wow good job on being able to get lds pretty easily. I would say that for most people the first few are going to be pretty short and then they start getting longer as you get more used to them. How many have you had so far and why are they fading. One common cause is being too excited and waking up. Maybe you could focus on making the ld more vivid and making sure its clear before trying to do other things. Im sure some more advanced people will have more suggestions but just my 50th of a buck.

eyemawleen, Good news.. you were lucid. Bad news.. they're too short! :p

For all those new to lucid dreaming, I advise that you don't try to set the lucid world on fire your first few dreams.. don't try to do tricks, summon people, etc. Simply go with the flow and take it all in. Get used to what being lucid FEELS like so you can ground yourself in your dreams.. that's when the tricks/stunts can happen.

Your first few dreams simply act like a tourist in a new place.. go sightseeing and take in all the different colors and sounds. You may try to increase your vividness by confidently declaring "increase lucidity" or "clarity now" but that would be the extent of control I would recommend for struggling dreamers.

I still have to remind myself the moment I become lucid to get "grounded" in my dream (i.e., make it as lucid as it could be) instead of immediately racing to do something before I lose lucidity.

One of the tricks I use to "ground" myself is to "touch" things. By touching.. I mean really "feeling" them. Get into how they feel.. are they hot, cold, smooth, rough, etc. (this also helps me remain in the dream longer.

Just remember that "the deeper the level of lucidity.. the better your lucid experience should be".

I hope this helps!
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Yeah, take Clairitys advice, though they may not be long just think that at least your having lucid dreams, you have plenty of time to increase the length of the lucids. Just don't give up.

It's frustrating to achieve the main goal only to be hindered by another one that impedes the main goal almost completely.

I agree with what the others have stated. I have found that not rushing off to do all the exciting things you want to but instead being calm and just walking around helps with not losing it right away. Good luck on crossing barrier #2!

btw thephobiaviewed, love the 50th of a buck line, had me laughing out loud.

Wow thanks for all the quick replies. @ThePhobia I've had about 8 LDs so far, and I don't know why they fade, thats my question too :P

Clairity I'll try "being a tourist" and feeling different things in my next LD, and thanks for the help.