Hi there.

I recently became interested in lucid dreaming, and of my friends advised my to this site... so here I am
Through the years I've experienced lucidity and dream control, but by chance, and not very extensive. I guess it happens to most people.
Three days ago I read up on the phenomenon, on this site among others, and started keeping a dream journal. So I'm just getting started!
I haven't had any success yet, but I'm quite enthusiastic about it.

I have a few questions though:
I'd like to use a mantra while falling asleep. Does anyone have good experiences with this, and can anyone recommend any mantra in particular, like "I want to become lucid"?
Is there any literature on lucid dreaming that's worth checking out?
I usually only sleep for 7 hours at night in the weekdays (more in the weekends, though). Is it nessecary to sleep for a long period of time to experience lucid dreaming?
Has anyone had spiritual experiences in a lucid dream? If so, how was it like?

Thanks! - Jonahsoma.