Hello... New Dreamer Intro

[starflames]

Hello Everyone. I like this sight, read most of the posts on the 1st newbie page and actually commented on a few. Now I'll briefly tell you a little about my lucidity. I first became Lucid years ago- I'm 46 now, but didn't know anything in regards to this subject until an article in Omni magazine, described LDs. That was the first time I'd ever heard the words "lucid dreaming". It was so fascinating to read for the very first time on a subject that I'd never heard of before, but had experienced on several occasions. My very first experience happened, of course, in the midst of a dream- when I suddenly realized, in my dream, that I was actually dreaming. This awareness was so distinct and profound, that the dream I was dreaming of, actually just faded away to a certain degree as I found myself standing in the middle of a neighborhood street at night with houses on both sides of the street, with this awesome realization that I was actually aware that I was in a dream.... just dreaming. The neighborhood and street were the same place as in the normal dream, but now the vividness and feeling had multiplied tremendously as I became aware- or lucid. I experimented briefly- but the overwhelming sensation and excitement of being awake in a dream world full of possibilities, caused me to wake from my sleep prematurely. I never forgot that experience, nor any after that. I've labeled myself as a newbie- cos there's still much to learn, but over the last 25 years I've had several LDs. I always tell those who've never experienced one- that once they do, they'll never have any doubts as to whether it was an LD or not. The experience is so awesome due to the real-life feeling that this realization gives you, that some of us, including myself, have to do a realization test to check whether we are in a LD state or a real life situation. What I do as a test, when I become lucid, is jump straight up in the air and count the seconds it takes for me to land back on my feet. If I count to at least 3, and have not landed yet, bingo- it's a LD. There's never been a time when I've become lucid- and then self tested and found it wasn't a LD. But because the the life-like feeling in a LD is identical to a wide awake state, some of us feel the need to self test before experimenting with the magical world of a LD. That's how real this awareness, or realization makes you feel. It's so incredible. I just need to practice in prolonging my Lds. I get so excited with this awesome feeling and realization that I'm awake and well aware that It's all just a dream, that sometimes this realization of being awake in the dream, somehow, wakes me up from the LD itself. I also need to practice on self inducing these LDs. That would truly be something else- to be able to LD at will. I had my last LD two days ago- they are so awesome. I usually have mine when I sleep for an X amount of time, then wake up briefly, get on my feet for a drink of water, then go back to sleep. I usually do this in the morning and don't consider it as a nap- but a continuation of my sleep that was briefly interrupted. Once I get up, I usually don't nap- eventhough I've become lucid in naps too. I usually tell first-timers that as they lay in bed just before going to sleep, to suggest to themselves that they will become aware of their dream as they sleep and wake up during the dream. It's almost like when having a nightmare and you force yourself to actually wake up out of it. Once you can do that a few times- then suggest to yourself that you will become aware of your dream as you sleep, but not wake up. This usually results in waking up in your dream or lucidity. Another technique is before going to sleep, to suggest to yourself that you'll wake up in your dream when you see a certain object such as a car, a shoe or a house. Sometimes even suggesting to wake up after seeing a certain color such as red. These are cues to trigger your mind to become aware that it's dreaming and in turn become lucid. Well, I've taken enough of your time already, I just hope I've placed this post in the right place. If not, the Mods are free to move it to the proper place. This is a fascinating subject and an experience much to be desired. May those that seek it- soon find it. Good luck. Starflames

[Mystical_Journey]

Weclome to the Forum starflames Thanks for the interesting post , it sounds like your really passionate about lucid dreaming. Hope you enjoy this forum

[TygrHawk]

Welcome, startflames! Your experience sounds much like mine. I'm 44, and had my first lucid when I was quite young. Like you, I didn't know that it had a name, and I also had several more over the years. Last year, I had a particularly vivid one, and for some reason I recalled hearing the term "lucid dream" somewhere, so I started Googling, and here I am! Also like you, I would like to be able to prolong my LDs. They are always too short. Stick around, it's mostly a good group of people here, and lots of good information is shared.

[Clairity]

Alright.. another LDer over 40! :bravo: I had my first LD 7 years ago and have been hooked ever since (though my interest slacks off for a while and then comes back with a vengeance when I have one). Welcome to the forum! Glad you're here!