How not to wake up when you realize that you're dreaming?

Hello.

I don't know where to start, really, but I do know what I'm after. About two years ago I had a lucid dream by accident, without really knowing what it was. I realized that I was dreaming while I was in the dream and took control. I know that most people who experience this for the first time wake up most of the time or just dream for a few seconds before they wake up, but I was actively controlling the dream for quite some time. Well, atleast I had time to drive my summer car for a while(it's not in use during winter). The pure excitement woke me up after a while, but it felt like I was in it for a decent time. In the dream I think it represented something like 10-15 minutes. In reality I have no idea.

I started to read up on it and I've wanted to experience this again ever since then and for some time I tried to teach myself how to experience this again, but all I got was realizations that I was dreaming which woke me up. Time after time, I just couldn't stay in there. I gave up after a few months, I guess I'm not the most patient person around.

However, I have now decided to stick to teaching myself this. I've read lots of info on the subject and even watched some videos hoping that this will give me more control of the situation. I do feel that since I could stay in control that first time I should have a knack for this? :cheeky:

One thing that always happens is that I start to realize that I'm dreaming and that I'm starting to be "pulled out" of my sleep. How do I effectively stop this from happening? There must be some trick to it. I'm stuck on that, because I now know what is happening. Any tips? It feels like it happens pretty slowly, but I can't stop it, even when trying to tone down my excitement. I read that spinning in circles in the dream can help, is this true?

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Originally Posted by Caper

I read that spinning in circles in the dream can help, is this true?

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Yeah, it's a clarity increasing technique called "dream spinning." Some other things that will help increase clarity and stabilize the dream are; hand rubbing, focusing on details in the dream, and yelling commands like "STABILIZE THE DREAM."

Use these when the dream is imploding on itself, it's your last resort. I usually start dream spinning and yelling commands at the same time to stay in it. Try to stay calm whenever in a LD, getting all frantic when the dream is collapsing will wake you up faster.

also, welcome to the forum :D

I will have to try these things next time then, whenever that will be. :)

How is the logical part of the mind while dreaming? Some have talked about creating things and solving problems and equations while dreaming, does this mean that the mind is more competent at these kinds of tasks while dreaming because it's all happening in your subconscious?

Thank you! :)

Depending on how lucid you are can affect how sharp your mind is, a lot of times your mind will be really fuzzy in a dream. You should be able to think logically and solve equations about as well as you could in real life, I haven't noticed any advanced intelligence in my dreams. Subconsciously you might remember certain events or people that you never would have thought you'd still remember. There's a lot of memories from the past that can come out in dreams, and also a lot of emotions that you have might manifest themselves into dream plots and characters.

Hi and welcome to DV! You wake up because you get excited, with experience you will be able to get excited and still stay in the dream. As soon as you realise you're dreaming, start rubbing your hands or focus on your surroundings. You want to activate as many senses as possible to firmly "root" yourself to the dream. Completely forget about your sleeping body, it will be fine :)

Also, if you become lucid and you feel the dream slipping, then you can always try out the DEILD technique. Just try to ignore the Sleep Paralysis which will hit you, and you're back in the dream or in another one.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

I think getting over excited doesnt help. You have to stabilize the dream.