Dream Recall... not even first or third person.

**Vertebrate** · 02-03-2011 11:00 PM

People are always talking about dreams in first person, and people are saying they occasionally have 3rd person dreams.

But after a couple weeks of keeping a dream journal I have yet to recall any dreams that were in first or 3rd person. I don't know if it makes any sense, but my dreams are all like television shows. I find that odd since I play a lot more video games than watch television, but that's how they are. I haven't actually been in any of my dreams. Not even as another person.

This is going to sound weird, but one odd recurring dream I've been having is about this badass "Panda Walrus Crab,"

it's a giant walrus with a panda bear head and crab claws. But the crab claws have no shell, just fleshy. You know what I mean if you've eaten crab. It's like I am watching a news report on it and they are showing how much of a badass this creature is.

Anyway, last time I had this dream (last night) I tried to do a reality check but nothing happened (I couldn't do anything because I wasn't in the dream!), and then I woke up and felt really, really, weird and thought I was still dreaming but I realized I wasn't dreaming because I couldn't read the clock on my microwave (I wear glasses, not while I'm sleeping obviously).

Also, this isn't a nightmare. I've never been scared of this dream. I have other dreams too but they are all similar in nature (either like a television show or just something else entirely).

Do you guys think that I just have trouble with dream recall, and as I get better at it I will remember more about the dream and it will be a first person experience? Or am I just not having first person dreams?

**Arra** · 02-04-2011 12:03 AM

That does seem a bit odd. But it might not be a problem. If you realize you're dreaming and are only watching a dream, you could try moving your body wherever you're observing from, or 'creating' a body (convincing yourself you have one) if it really feels like you don't have one.

It's also possible that you do dream normally, and the dreams you're remembering are the more shallow ones that happen near the beginnings and ends of REM cycles (I think this is the case, but I'm not sure), or even imagery. From what I've heard, when people WILD (go from a waking state to a dream without losing consciousness), between waking and dreaming they experience hallucinations and imagery, and at some point they feel that they can 'step into' the dream and become involved in it, instead of just watching it. Maybe it's only this part or something like this you're remembering. Don't form an opinion on what I say, though. I haven't looked into sleep stages very much, and have never successfully WILDed myself.

**Vertebrate** · 02-04-2011 12:42 AM

It's also possible that you do dream normally, and the dreams you're remembering are the more shallow ones that happen near the beginnings and ends of REM cycles (I think this is the case, but I'm not sure), or even imagery.

That's an interesting point. I had never thought of that.