A second life

Hello, I've only very recently become fascinated with the whole concept of LD's and it's limits (if there are any) and a couple of things I wanted to know I found rather hard to find an answer for, so I hope you don't mind me posting here as a first post.

To the experts who have mastered lucid dreams or just the ones who are not quite there but on the way, have you indulged into it so much that it has become a second life for you? Or a sort of new dimension?

Another question I hope you don't mind answering, or if it's allready answered just let me know; when your inducing an LD, do you opt the theory of lying perfectly still with your eyes closed without scratching your itches etc, and waiting untill you start to feel a weight on your chest? From what i've read in my short time on this subject, this is seen as the gateway to an LD. Is this true or just some jibberish?

I have some more questions but I'd rather not spam a load, so if you can answer any of these two I'd be very greatfull.

Thanks for reading.

Hi! Welcome to DV.

I definitely always use the method of holding completely still, trying to keep the mind conscious while feeling your body fall asleep. I can attest to the fact that this definitely works if you have the patience to stick it out.

As for viewing LD's as a second life.... Yes, in a way sometimes I feel that way. I especially feel that way when I meet dream characters more than once, or visit the same dreamscapes multiple times. I've had dreams where I've actually fallen asleep and woken up multiple times and then continued to play out the entire day. That definitely felt like another dimension or life. Hope some of this helps!

Thanks for the quick reply. Well, I have amazing patience with the lying still for about half an hour, even when I need to scratch a toe or something because it itches so much, but I manage to overcome it. Is this the hardest obstacle when it comes to inducing LD's? Also, when you first successfulyl felt like you were becoming good at LD's as in they actually seemed to last for a while, what was it like when you woke up in reality? Excitement etc?

Well, for me the hardest part is moving past the hypnagogic imagery and being able to stay conscious all the way through REM.

Definitely when I first (and still sometimes) started getting lucid dreams I'd get super excited, try to calm down... I'd also get sidetracked when I first became lucid and do silly things like just stare at a wall, touch things, smell, eat, etc. Small mundane things that I had to get over with before I could really take off I suppose. It's really different for everyone. The incredible thing when you first become lucid is the sheer astonishment/disbelief that you're actually dreaming, and that dreams can be as real as the reality you're in now. Pretty cool stuff :)