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?

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?