I'd like to dream more!

[atramentis]

Solike HAI! I'm new! Basically... I often have dreams where I'm at least vaguely aware that I'm dreaming. And when that happens, I can usually fly (doeszat count as lucid dreaming?). I'd like more of those dreams in general, but I don't want incredibly vivid dreams, or dream guides, or out-of-body experiences or sleep paralysis or new age-y stuff... Just light entertainment! SO THEN! Is there any way to accomplish this? I have a dream journal, but I don't update it all that often...

[Puffin]

Hi BugGirl, welcome to Dreamviews! Even if you're only vaguely aware, as long as you have knowledge that you're dreaming, it's a lucid. It's difficult to identify a lucid dream just from what you do in one, though, because I fly all the time in my non-lucids. I actually just flew last night, without the slightest clue that I was dreaming. I wouldn't call lucid dreaming new age, just because it's about something that isn't really recognized by a lot of people, or because it involves "dreams". Sleep paralysis and OBEs are actually very exciting experiences! First thing's first - it's good you're keeping a dream journal, because you have to be able to remember your dreams. I'd recommend at least one a night before moving onto trying a lucid dreaming technique (the most common ones are called DILD, WILD, and MILD - check out the Dreamviews wiki for information on them, and I also have a DILD tutorial in my signature that's helped a lot of people). If you can't remember regular dreams, chances are you'll forget your lucid ones too. Once you wake, after all, they become just like regular dream memories - something in the past, slightly fuzzy. But, much fuzzier if you don't have good recall. You don't want that. What's worse, you may wake up knowing you had some sort of lucid, but you won't be able to remember what happened! Once you get recall down, move onto the LD induction tutorials and guides!

[MarkieP52]

Well if you can recall dreams well then you don't need to invest as much in a DJ. Anyway lucid dreaming is being aware you are dreaming so if in a dream you are in complete control then yes it is a lucid. I would say try the DILD technique (dream induced lucid dream) they are not quite as vivid as WILDs (Wake induced) and you don't really need to do anything other than be alerted during the dream that you are dreaming. I would look up dream signs and reality checks. That is pretty much the basics but I can't imagine why you wouldn't want a more vivid dream :p

[atramentis]

Weeeelllll I've tried reality checks before... not so much lately. I'm pretty sure I've never been in complete control of a dream before O_O I think DILDs would work! Buuut I dunno, my brain comes up with some pretty cool scenarios and I'd rather not try to control 'em xP I just want to experience more of 'em! ... y'know?

[Snowboy]

Shit, Puffin, how did you type that up in 4 minutes?! But first, I have a few comments I feel like I should add. (sorry Puffin!) 1) It's difficult to identify a lucid dream just from what you do in one, though, because I fly all the time in my non-lucids. 2) I'd recommend at least one a night before moving onto trying a lucid dreaming technique... 3) If you can't remember regular dreams, chances are you'll forget your lucid ones too. 4) Once you get recall down, move onto the LD induction tutorials and guides! 1) Try to RC when something weird happens. That will help overcome that effect so that it's easier to LD. 2) You don't need to start a DJ before learning the techniques. In fact, I think you should do them at the same time! Best to kill two birds with one stone, right? 3) Wrong! You are more likely to remember lucid dreams since memories are formed very similarly to reality when you are in a lucid dream, so you shouldn't forget it any more than you forgot the previous day's highlights! I have noticed that I remember lucid dreams much better than non-lucid dreams and that they stick around in my head a bit longer, so you shouldn't worry about that. A DJ entry for it wouldn't hurt, though! 4) You should try to do them at the same time. Refer to #2 and #3 for my reasons. Anyway, you could consider lucid dreaming to be New Age stuff if you want to, you might not want to, the choice is yours since there is no set answer for it. Out-of-body experiences... that's more New Age than lucid dreaming, and you don't have to do those with lucid dreaming, it's more for people that are interested. Sleep paralysis, however, is mandatory to practice WILDs, although it isn't New Age since it happens with everybody. Now, I don't feel that dream journals are a necessity like some people make them out to be, but they can help with recall and recognizing that you're in a dream, but I personally don't use one because 1) I don't feel like writing down my dreams, 2) I prefer to enjoy my dreams for a day or two then forget them, and 3) It saves a lot of work. Your choice! Now, I will provide you with links to help you in your lucid dreaming adventures! Click here to stabilize your dreams and increase clarity. Click here to control your dreams. After you read Puffin's DILD guide you can read those IN ORDER. I made the mistake of not doing so... >.< Welcome to DV, and I hope I helped! (after twenty minutes of typing it better help!)

[atramentis]

well so like THANKEE! *points at snowboy* That IS helpful! xD Bahh... I'm not sure I want a crystal-clear dream. The main thing with my dreams is I can tell they're dreams, cuz they're strange or fuzzy or whatever. I'd be afraid to have a dream that I could confuse with crystal-clear reality... xP I don't often think consciously to myself "I'm dreaming", but sometimes I'll catch myself thinking something that indicates I know it's a dream. So I gueeesss I'll just... keep doing what I've been doing... like, daydream as I'm falling asleep, and recording dreams I like etc etc and see what happens xP

[Puffin]

3) Wrong! You are more likely to remember lucid dreams since memories are formed very similarly to reality when you are in a lucid dream, so you shouldn't forget it any more than you forgot the previous day's highlights! I have noticed that I remember lucid dreams much better than non-lucid dreams and that they stick around in my head a bit longer, so you shouldn't worry about that. A DJ entry for it wouldn't hurt, though! Why all the stress on recalling dreams, then? I've forgotten lucid dreams before because I had poor recall around that time.

[Waterknight]

I can still remember my first lucid dream I can remember countless LDs from years and years and i can remember them with more clarity than i can waking memories. They are very strong lasting memories to me.

[Snowboy]

Why all the stress on recalling dreams, then? I've forgotten lucid dreams before because I had poor recall around that time. Recalling dreams is an option, like you can WILD, but you don't have to, although it's a popular choice among new LDers. LDs, I have found, are easier to recall and stick around longer, though I did say that a DJ entry wouldn't hurt. I can still remember my first lucid dream I can remember countless LDs from years and years and i can remember them with more clarity than i can waking memories. They are very strong lasting memories to me. Thanked for becoming a supporter of what I said.