Am I Anywhere Near...?

I recently found out about the concept of lucid dreaming, and although I recall experiencing one briefly when I was younger, I was immediately sceptical about the idea. Regardless, I was interested enough to try and have a Wake Induced Lucid Dream.

So I spent some time lying motionless, doubting the whole thing but still trying to keep a clear mind, and shortly my body began to shut down (it kind of felt like I could move if I wanted to, but I couldn't make myself want to?), but my concentration fluctuated and I kept getting distracted by thoughts (I don't seem to be able to shut down...). After a while I just decided to give up and go to sleep normally.

Well that night I had a dream that I later recalled with unusual clarity (normally I only recall them as abstract images and feelings), and also had a false awakening. I (supposedly) awoke in my bed and thought that I should do a reality check, but since it was too dark to find a digital clock or light switch, and I was certain I was awake, I didn't bother.

Then my alarm clock went off and I woke up for real. I read that false awakenings were common side effects of lucid dreams, although the dream I had that night wasn't lucid, so does that mean I was on the right tracks with my attempt?

I'm also keeping a dream journal since then. I didn't bother trying to WILD last night, and, perhaps as a result, my dream recall was poor.

Well, first things first, it is confirmed science fact that everybody experiences sleep paralysis and hynogogic hallucinations, conscious or not. So don't doubt the technique. Also, why would you be doubtful about this whole thing? Do you really think 35000 people will lie about lucid dreaming experiences just for the fun of it?

Anyway, to your question. Yes, you are on the right track; I have a feeling you will be good at WILDs once you hit one. Anyway, don't give up if it seems like nothing is happening. It takes time to fall asleep, no matter what the method. Just wait around ten minutes in that "fluctuating concentration" phase to see if anything happens. I think you just didn't wait long enough.

:welcome: Welcome to Dreamviews, and I hope I helped!

Well after the false awakening and a little more looking around the 'net, I am more motivated to try harder, so I will ^_^

And as for why I was doubtful, let's just say I'm very athiest and very sceptical of psychics and people who read auras and star signs and all that jazz, so I suppose when I read about lucid dreaming it just seemed, like those things, too good to be true.

And thanks for the welcome! =]

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Originally Posted by Astalakio

And as for why I was doubtful, let's just say I'm very athiest and very sceptical of psychics and people who read auras and star signs and all that jazz, so I suppose when I read about lucid dreaming it just seemed, like those things, too good to be true.

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Ah. I've heard of stuff similar to this. It doesn't have anything to do with religion and New Age stuff. We have a lot of atheists here that practice lucid dreaming and a lot of scientific facts about this alongside them. No need for you to not start! :D

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Originally Posted by Astalakio

So I spent some time lying motionless, doubting the whole thing but still trying to keep a clear mind, and shortly my body began to shut down (it kind of felt like I could move if I wanted to, but I couldn't make myself want to?), but my concentration fluctuated and I kept getting distracted by thoughts (I don't seem to be able to shut down...).

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You're on the right track, this is what going into SP feels like.
You don't need to make the thoughts go away (I'm not even sure if you can), but don't try to concentrate too much on them either.
At which time did you try to WILD?
A WILD is very hard to achieve at the time you go to bed.
It is WAY easier if you wake up after a long period of sleep (~6 hours) and attempt your WILD then.

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Originally Posted by Astalakio

Well that night I had a dream that I later recalled with unusual clarity (normally I only recall them as abstract images and feelings), and also had a false awakening. I (supposedly) awoke in my bed and thought that I should do a reality check, but since it was too dark to find a digital clock or light switch, and I was certain I was awake, I didn't bother.

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Another very effective RC you can perform, which will work in the dark, is to close your mouth and pinch your nose with your fingers, so it is impossible to breathe.
Try to inhale. It's physically impossible, so if it actually works you're 100% sure that you're dreaming.

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Originally Posted by Astalakio

I'm also keeping a dream journal since then. I didn't bother trying to WILD last night, and, perhaps as a result, my dream recall was poor.

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When you wake up in the morning, stay in bed and close your eyes, and try to remember if you had any dreams.
Trying to remember your dreams like this should increase your dream recall.

Well I did just try it when I was about to go to sleep. Unfortunately my schedule for things is quite limited, and I wouldn't be sure about how to go about manipulating the times I wake up (without waking up the rest of my household with an alarm clock in the middle of the night).

I read about that particular reality check and last night in a dream I remember doubting the reality of the situation and trying it, but somehow it didn't work and sealed my belief in the reality, thereby dispelling any hopes I had of becoming lucid last night (though if I had the conciousness to doubt and try that in the first place, does that count as semi-lucidity?).

And as for the recall thing, I might try it, except that I would be afraid of falling back to sleep and oversleeping XD