What's First?

[Pancaka]

I've been able to get lucid a few times, but they're never really long dreams and I haven't had time to try any manipulation really. I'd like to know what I should try doing first.

[KuRoSaKi]

Well it sounds like you have Recall down. Make sure you are keeping a Dream Journal just in case. After that what you should do is pick up a technique you think you want to get good with VILD, WILD, MILD, etc. After that once you are in the dream what you want to do is get dream stabilization down I.E. rubbing your hands, focusing on objects, etc. to make sure your dream doesn't go anywhere. After that you can do whatever you want.

[dreamscaper22]

and dont forget to spin....that ones important too. Ive only had 2 lucids but they have been long ones, the felt a couple of hours long

[KuRoSaKi]

and dont forget to spin....that ones important too. Ive only had 2 lucids but they have been long ones, the felt a couple of hours long Yeah, but sometimes spinning can end a dream for unexperienced individuals.

[Redrivertears]

Hey there, What are you asking exactly, what you should do first when you're in a lucid dream, or what you should do first in general, to try and have longer lucid dreams? a) What you could do first when you become lucid? Personally, I find it very helpful to begin any lucid dream by taking a moment to calm down (if needed) and focus on stabilising the dream. Paying attention to your dreamsensations, rubbing your hands together, spinning are all techniques which can be used. I tend to think the first one is the most effective, and the other two are just derived from the first one. But that's each their own. For some people one thing might work better, for others another thing might. Make it your primary goal to find out what works for you to stabilize the dream. At the same time make sure you get into a state of mind where you don't feel rushed, don't feel you lack time, and above all, don't even think about waking up. Expectations and beliefs have a way of making themselves come true in dreams, so fearing that you have to be 'fast' because you might wake up soon, only helps make it so. After you've stabilised the dream, give yourself a moment to try and recall your dreamgoals, or even try and increase your lucidity level. a) What you could do first, in general? Lucid dreams ending prematurely is a very common thing with newer lucid dreamer. All these strange and new sensations and the feeling of great achievement create a sense of excitement, which in turn can wake you up. That's ok. Like Clairity always says, any lucid dream, no matter how short, is cause for celebration. So work on simply achieving lucidity at first. Find a way to have more consistency in your lucid dreaming. That way the you become more used to the feeling of it, which in itself will help to prevent the 'excitement rush' that often wakes up newer dreamers. Additionally, make sure you know what you want to be doing beforehand. Set yourself dreamgoals before you go to bed. Ask yourself: "What will I do tonight if I become lucid", and imprint this idea firmly into your mind. This will give you a "hook" to latch on to when you become lucid, and prevent you from being too overwhelmed to really know what to do, and thus cause the dream to end. And ofcourse, last but not least, be happy about each lucid dream you do have, even if it ends immediately, because it is one step closer to having more and longer lucid dreams in the future Hope that helps, -Redrivertears-

[Grod]

Yeah... As someone else said, work on dream recall. I used to think this was a pain in the ass, and thought I didn't really need it, but trust me, even though this can be the most annoying part, you need to do it. Keep a notebook by your bed and if you can, in the morning, write down a sentence or two about your dream. This can help expand it when you have a lucid. Then start doing RC's. I actually did these while I worked on recall, I guess the earlier the better. But above all, have confidence and motivation. Tell yourself before each night what your goals are, whether its remembering your dreams, or realizing your dreaming, or whatever. I guess I kind of wrote a mini outline there, lol, but check out the guides and other posts to expand on what I said.

[Pancaka]

Well it sounds like you have Recall down. Make sure you are keeping a Dream Journal just in case. After that what you should do is pick up a technique you think you want to get good with VILD, WILD, MILD, etc. After that once you are in the dream what you want to do is get dream stabilization down I.E. rubbing your hands, focusing on objects, etc. to make sure your dream doesn't go anywhere. After that you can do whatever you want. well I do keep a dream journal and I do stabilization exercises, but one OTHER problem is that in my lucids, I'm paralyzed (my last 2 anyways). I haven't had any luck with anything other than just your average DILD, but I haven't really tried a whole lot of other techniques yet. I've gotten the basic "getting lucid" part down and I have decent recall, but wake up early in the dream and can't accomplish any manipulation and would like to do that before I wake up.

[Pancaka]

I guess I didn't pose the question right. Here comes the new version: I want to know what manipulation OF a lucid I should learn to do first before I run out of time and wake up. For instance: Flying, Conjuring up a dream char (I NEED Darth Maul!), super powers, making a dream scene, whatever the hell other stuff I can do, I don't care, just give me some advice that doesn't have to do with getting lucid or staying in the dream because I already know that stuff it's just not working, because I haven't gotten used to lucids yet.

[KuRoSaKi]

I suggest you read BillyBob's guide on Dream Control: http://www.dreamviews.com/community/...+Dream+Control

[Pancaka]

I suggest you read BillyBob's guide on Dream Control: http://www.dreamviews.com/community/...+Dream+Control Thanks. This is pretty good and I'll try it out. Now what type of thing do you suggest I do (flying, psychic powers, finding a reason for Darth Maul to be in my dreams)