There is No Try

[supercaleb]

So, after years of on and off Lucid Dreaming I find this site and research the tutorials and overload my brain. I read WAY to many guides and techniques. I tried the one where you concentrate on an object (a phone last night) and build around that. Even then, all the other techniques were pouring through my head and I found it tough to concentrate. Lesson learned. I will say that my theory of NOT drinking and/or sMoKiNg giving you longer, fuller dreams and better dream recall paid off in spades! Try going to bed COMPLETELY sober (no drinks, sleep aids, pot, etc. etc.) If you havent tried this and need better dream recall/fuller experiences- DO IT. Does that make me sound like a pothead/alchoholic? Maybe. Truth is I dont do either very much at all, but cutting it all out completely makes a difference. Even one beer throws off your natural body chemistry. I had at least 4 dreams last night that seemed to last for hours and I still remember a vast majority of all of them in great detail. Very vivid and full of interesting imagery and events. The bummer is- no lucidity at all and I missed some of the BIGGEST dream signs that should have clued me in. -phone not working -strange/nonsensical behavior from the friends I dreamed about -places I had dreamed of before -dreaming of people I havent seen in years & a relative who has passed away The good news- I went to sleep concentrating on a phone and willing a phone call from a person I wanted to speak to. I GOT THAT PHONE CALL!! The phone disconnected when I picked up and when I tried to call back I immediately hung up when I heard the first ring. I remember thinking they hung up for a good reason when they called me (fear). And I read in my dream- something that has been debated on this site. I did it and it seemed no big deal. Maybe I missed the real controversy of the subject. I'll try again tonight, but no TOO much. Point is- you have a lucid dream or you dont. I wont be putting so much pressure on myself tonight. Ive been having them for years and I didnt know the first thing about any techniques to induce them until last night when I found this site. Relax and go with it. There is no try.

[Ocelot]

I see where you're coming from. I've found that since I first tried WILD, even when I don't want to, I can't help myself from trying. It's affecting my normal sleep to an extent. One thing that frustrates me though is that I never drink alcohol, have never smoked or done drugs. I've only ever taken a B multimix of vitamins, which helped for one night. Yet despite all the mantras and relaxation techniques I try, even my dream recall is worsening. Heh, I'm just rambling because I'm frustrated, pay me no mind

[supercaleb]

hmm, im sure thats the case for a lot of people- i know! try the opposite! have a glass of wine or a little nip/toke. maybe youre dyslexic.

[Ocelot]

I don't think I'm dyslexic, isn't that where you mess up letters and words and things? Like that joke about dyslexics worshipping Santa?

[supercaleb]

yeah, I was totally kidding. But really, whatever pattern youre in with your sleep/dreams- try something different. Mix it up. Something new. Whatever that means to you. Go to sleep with your head at the opposite end of the bed. Or dont even think about dreaming. Maybe even tell yourself " I dont want to dream tonight". Those may be terrible suggestions, but you get the idea. Do the opposite. It couldnt hurt.

[Ocelot]

You're right, I think I may be stressing myself out a bit, I'll try and make tonight completely non-dream focussed, maybe get a fresh start over my Christmas holidays.

[supercaleb]

Do just that. And if you truly are in a rut I have a challenge for you. For the rest of this week I want you to step out of your box. I want you to make a conscious effort to change your routine. Starting with the small stuff and work your way up as far as you like. When you get up whats the first thing you do? Dont do it. If you brush your teeth before you shower, brush them after. Whatever route you take to work, go a different way. If you always shop at the same grocery store, go to a different one. WHATEVER you do, dont do what youve always done. You can make the changes wherever you choose, but make them and do it deliberately. Ill tell you from experience that changing even the smallest of your habits can make a HUGE difference. And when you do these things I want you to be saying to yourself "something new will come from this". Look for it. Expect it. Ask for it. Im not trying to be your therapist, Im speaking from the heart. I was about to go to bed and I felt compelled to write this. Im no new ager guru gum flapper, but I promise the universe has something good in store for you and its just around the corner. Watch for it. Its headed straight for you. EYES OPEN.

[Woozie]

I agree. A few nights i've almost been obsessing with WILD and generally trying my hardest to have lucid dreams and remember them.. This overzealousness (is that a word?) has made it impossible for me to fall asleep naturally without trying for 3 hours, and I hardly remember any of my dreams when I wake up. So, for a couple of nights now i've just been relaxing and tried to put all this LD business out of my head for a while. And tonight I had my first LD/Semi-LD and the longest, most vivid dream i've had in ages. So yeah. I'm not saying one shouldn't try. but trying too hard is really counter-productive when it comes to Lucid Dreaming I think.

[LibLord]

I've found that since I first tried WILD, even when I don't want to, I can't help myself from trying. It's affecting my normal sleep to an extent. Yep I find this too. When I'm lying there and could easily sleep, I always try and WILD just incase.. it never works out but I just lie there for ages and after all that find it bizarrely even harder to sleep. And regarding the main point of the post.. I have to agree that the single most useful thing I've found in terms of LDing is reality checks. I do them whenever something 'weird' happens, and whenever I wake up. e.g. today I opened my wardrobe and the clothes in there looked a bit weird and I got an LD from that. I often have nights where I eat certain foods.. do certain things.. say I will LD.. and nothing ever comes of it. For me LD just happens occasionally, if I think to RC in a dream.