Good recall attained... now what?

[Invictus]

I joined here about a month ago and started keeping a DJ. Now my recall has gotten to the point where I'm remembering 3 dreams on average per night, in good detail. So, what the next step towards becoming lucid? Can I stop keeping my DJ? What should I try?

[ExoByte]

Always keep a Dream Journal. The next step would be trying to find Dream Signs in your Dream Journal. Common themes, people, objects or events. Things that you know you can use to figure out you're dreaming. You should also start reality checking. Constantly checking your surroundings, looking for things that don't fit, and asking yourself if you're dreaming. This should become such a habit, that it is like a second nature.

[rockerboy90]

Now its time to read some tutorials on the different methods and choose the one you think will work for you.

[Invictus]

I read in the reality check tutorial that you shouldn't RC too much because it will become something you do without thinking about. The tutorial said if you're not thinking about it, it defeats the entire purpose. Yet if I'm not doing it often enough, I doubt it will ever start happening during an actual dream. Thoughts?

[Sugarglider11]

Yes you should always keep a dream journal, if you do not your recall will go down the drain. You can do reality checks often but make sure that each time you do you are actually thinking about it. Think about your surroundings when you do, make sure that everything is as it should be. Being aware of your surroundings and expecting to have a lucid dream will probably get you one very quickly, and since you already have good recall you will most likely have a lucid dream very soon.

[Mancon]

Next step is to become lucid. Before you go to bed have confidence and tell your brain to HAVE a lucid dream and tell your brain you want control over it. If you don't have a lucid dream with that technique then I suggest trying the WILD. It might be a little scary but worth it!

[Zukra~Dream]

I agree stongly with ExoByte Start looking for your common dream occurances and themes and make mental notes of them through out the day and before bed. I have just started this myself and find it to help. In my case its old friends i have lost contact with or places i have onced lived. Making note of this has offered me some interesting moments in my recent dreams. I think RCs can help alot as well. The other night i had a dream, i was in an old friends house looking down from the 2nd floor. Three of my friends were outside working in the yard. One of them i no longer have any contact with, i noticed this and wondered if i was asleep. I asked out loud if i was awake and at this time my said friends were in the room, i then preceded to perform an RC, sticking my finger through the open palm of my other hand. I dont recall a vivid lucidity and the dream continued on its bizzare course, but i think it was a step in the right direction. I myself RC once or twice every few days. Provided you take the time to contemplate your current concious state when you RC they can be very helpful. Hope this helps, good luck and keep at it. Safe travels~