Fear While Lucid Dreaming

[bennerman]

I haven't lucid dreamed in a while (thus why I haven't been here in a while, likewise), but there are certain things in my life that I cannot wrap my conscious mind around at the moment, and I figured maybe if I got directly to the core, I could figure it out, or at least have more time to think about it (so few hours in the day). So last night, I started listening to some binaural beats, and I started getting chills, and everything started to "jump out at me" and scare the crap out of me. I figured I should just go to bed. I tossed and turned for about an hour before I fell asleep, as usual. When I woke up, everything was extremely fuzzy... all I could think was "this isn't right", and I thought "this must be a dream." However, my head literally started spinning in full revolutions (which I guess concreted that idea). after a few moments, I got it to stop, but I was scared out of my wits, so I started turning on the lamp. Nothing. I turned on the TV, nothing. I saw that my computer was running and tried to turn on the monitor. Nothing at all. I started shaking and was on the verge of crying, so I curled up under my blanket, closed my eyes, and said "I want light" demandingly. Sadly, it didn't work. So I curled up even tighter, closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, it was 3:15am. I immediately turned on my light, did every reality check I could think of, and everything was back to normal. The last two times I have lucid dreamed (the only times, mind you), I was also struck with the same inexplicable feeling of horror. I am going to make a track to listen to. It is going to have 1.5 hours of silence (so I can get to sleep), and it will then start playing binaural beats with me dubbed over saying "Is this a dream? check your hands, how many fingers do you have? you should have 5. Plug your nose, can you still breathe through your nose?", which will then be followed by "You are in control, it is your mind, you can make light" both played forwards and played in reverse. Can anyone tell me if this will help a) my trouble starting lucid dreams and b) the dark feeling of fear I get when I do have them?

[Nufeather1]

it will possibly help you perform a reality check, but as for the eliminating the dark part i'm a little unsure, try visualizing a peaceful dream scene and a friendly environment before you go to sleep; it may help to also have pictures by your bedside of settings you would like to visit. Also try to visualize your goals (i suggest you start by walking around and observing a peaceful habitat. maybe you could try something simple too, like levitating.) hope that helps, and you eliminate your issue. good luck!

[bennerman]

upon reading the wiki, I have considered something. This could have easily been a really severe hypnogogic hallucination, couldn't it have?

[MGinNY]

Hey, new to this site. First time posting. I wanted to post about my most recent dream, but it requires I post a picture to illustrate something I saw in my dream and was hoping someone could either explain the symbol or be able to give me some suggestions as to what my dream symbol resembles. However, this board bars people from posting links & images until they've been a member for at least 7 days! However, since the title of this was about "fear while lucid dreaming" I thought I'd post. Many of my lucid dreams made me afraid to continue in the dream. Perhaps it was something scary, something I didn't want to face, or it was so bizarre, that I couldn't handle it and I "woke myself". Many time's I've regretted having awakened myself because I later wanted to know what the dream was going to lead me to - what the outcome would be, but I'd cut it off before I could get that far. My most recent LD was a prime example - I wanted to know more about that darn symbol! Are there any tricks to "train" your subconscious that, when you realize you're dreaming, to try and fight fear and let the dream play out?

[Robot_Butler]

It helps to have a concrete plan of what you want to do once lucid. Rehearse it a few times throughout the day, or before you go to sleep at night (or both). Try to imagine dreaming as a pleasant and sunny endeavor. Don't focus on being in bed in the dark. Focus on the adventures you can have exploring the beautiful world. My best and most pleasant lucid dreams are the ones that start in a complete dream. I try to avoid transitioning to a dream lying in bed in the dark. Instead, I visualize being outdoors in a pleasant memory. Your binaural beats could be creeping you out, too. I have a few that are pretty spooky.