Introduction and a few questions

Hey all, I've been doing research and stuff about LD's, have been in the habit or doing reality checks, and have been keeping a dream log, really been doing this with a friend, so we kind of help each other out, but I came here to have a few questions answered as I delve deeper and farther into this whole thing. Here would be my questions/experiences.

My first... I wouldn't call it a lucid dream was after I do a reality check mid-dream. I could control my intentions and think in a blurry state, but I didn't have control over the world around me. I tried various things, various reality checks, but it was like doing something on pain medications- it's all blurry and you can't think. I couldn't control my body well at all. I usually did the nose reality check (where you plug your nose) and then I knew I was dreaming the entire time, but I didn't have control or full senses of the world(s) I was visiting.

My second almost-lucid dream was just last night. I found myself doing a reality check and realizing it was a dream, but then I felt something creeping up, and I could see an image, like switching in and out of what I thought was reality, and I fought to stay on top and in my dream, and it kind of felt like trying to keep my head above water whilst drowning. It didn't work, and I then thought it was reality, but it wasn't. After doing another reality check I realized that it wasn't, but again, I couldn't control anything, and at this point I woke up anyway.

SO my questions are:
1. How do I go full lucid when I realize I am in a dream, or can I just not do it?
2. Was the second dream just switching from dream to dream, or was I in multiple layers of dreams?
3. Are shared lucid dreams possible?/Has anyone had one and experiences with that?
4. Is there ways to extend lucid dreams once you have them?

Hi BeWop! Welcome to the forum. I'm new here as well, as you can see. I don't have any answers for you, but I'm wondering how long you've been keeping a journal and actively trying to have a lucid dream? It sounds like you know quite a bit already and I'd say keeping up the reality checks is a good place to start, from what I've read myself. I'm in the process of still trying to remember my dreams- it's pretty hit and miss at this point.....

I've been keeping a dream journal for a good solid two months, as well as keeping a journal when I get any unreal experiences in reality. I've done a lot of research, but it seems my recall and my control both are horrible, so not a whole lot of experiences. When I do actually remember my dreams, they usually are lucid.

Thanks. That kind of gives me a time frame of how long I can expect to keep a journal before I see more progress. At the rate I'm going, though, it actually could be much longer. I'd read somewhere of making notes of daily events as well, which could help promote better recall. I would think that especially making notes of unusual events in reality would be beneficial. I find it interesting that the dreams you do remember are lucid. That seems backwards from what I've read so far. Would you equate your experiences with "beginner's luck?"

It is quite opposite, but I have also learned my mind works differently than most. I wouldn't call it beginners luck, I usually wake up in the middle of a lucid, so that is probably why I can remember them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BeWop

SO my questions are:
1. How do I go full lucid when I realize I am in a dream, or can I just not do it?
2. Was the second dream just switching from dream to dream, or was I in multiple layers of dreams?
3. Are shared lucid dreams possible?/Has anyone had one and experiences with that?
4. Is there ways to extend lucid dreams once you have them?

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Numero Uno - As soon as you realise your dreaming, your Lucid.. That's the definition of LDing
Numero Dos - I believe the second dream became unstable as soon as you realised you were dreaming... And soon after that you had an FA (False Awakening).. And then woke up...
Numero Tres - Depends on your belief.. This has been a question that has had me boggling.. Many people on this forum have told of experiences where they have met people and cross referenced it with them to find that they both had the same dream... For more on this check out the Beyond Dreaming section..
Numero Cuatro - Many ways... It's more about making sure it remains stable and not forgetting that your dreaming...

Ways of extending/stabilising dreams:
Staring at your hands, and noticing the wrinkles and the detail.
Spinning to extend the dream.
Doing constant reality checks in the dream itself
Being aware of your surroundings
Shouting out: "Increase LUCIDITY NOW" or "Increase CLARITY NOW" (As goofy as it sounds, it actually works)
Many others I can't remember, Just search around in the forums

More notes:

No 1) There's a difference between Dream Control and just becoming Lucid... For you to truly become the master of your dream world, you have to believe that everything around you is in your head and all in your control.. If you want to fly, but are already expecting to fail... the result will be obvious..

No 2) An FA, is basically just another dream where it seems as if you have woken up.. You sometimes do your daily routines and then Wake up for real.. Although it is possible to have a succession of FAs in a row... Your mind probably wasn't ready to wake up from the previous dreaming and so creating a FA for you, (It's pretty normal). You just have to remember to STAY calm and keep aware of the world around you...

No 4) Make sure, you don't stop keeping a DJ.. It helps recall and also helps get into the mindset of dreaming...