Being aware of......the past? lulwut

**d0urd3n** · 08-13-2011 07:10 AM

Alright I have been trying to lucid dreaming for a bit now, only seriously months ago and even then for just a few weeks. I did get one where I realized the situation was too odd to be real life and I tried to change someone. I didn't have a purpose and only the head changed and it changed into a donkey face ha. The dream destabilized immediately and I did try spinning. I was able to do this but I didn't really seem to do it consciously, just from knowing what to do from reading these forums.

So heres the question. How can I be aware of the past? Because I am not really in dreams I merely remember them - if that makes sense. So even if I do become lucid like I did in the one dream I wont really have that much control over it because I don't control it, I remember having controlled it. Dreams are just memories tomorrow. Everyone talks of how realistic and amazing their dreams were and it was almost better than reality.

Thanks for trying to help me understand this concept. Peace.

**zebrah** · 08-13-2011 07:58 AM

I'm slightly confused by your question. Are you asking how to remember to do things like stabilize your dream or complete dream goals? Or are you asking how we recall things from that past? At the time of your lucid dream it's a real time experience. And like anything else, it's a memory afterwards.

If you could clear up what you meant that would allow me to help you more accurately.

Thanks.

**d0urd3n** · 08-13-2011 09:07 AM

Sorry I should have worded it better. Let me elaborate sir

. During that experience I was able to accomplish creating a change and reacting when something when wrong. However I never experienced it first hand. I only remembered it. It was only memory, no experience. When I dream I am not really "immersed" in the dreamworld, its like another's memories are implanted afterward. Im not sure if that helped or not but I am not sure how to really word it. Thanks for trying to help zebrah. P.S. Headed to bed so I'll respond in morning.

**Marm** · 08-13-2011 09:59 AM

It's only a memory because you're not proficient at dream recall. Prepare a dream journal and pen ready by your bedside table, and the second you wake up, collect your thoughts and write the dream down into the journal for later review. It doesnt matter how fragmented the dream(s) is/are, write it down. Don't think that you don't control it, because you do. It's your dream... if you don't control it then who does? The toothfairy?

**Dark_Merlin** · 08-13-2011 10:07 AM

I agree with what the pieman said, simply by dream journalling, you increase the connection between you and the dreams you're having because you're thinking about it a lot more. Write down everything you can and pay attention, through the next few weeks you'll notice your dreams become more and more lifelike - you'll feel as though you are the one in all your dreams, acting them out, and not just something that's happening to you as a memory

**Darkmatters** · 08-13-2011 10:12 AM

No, I think he's saying that when he went lucid there was like no vividness, or he didn't feel like he was really 'there' in the dream. It sounds like dreams I've had where things get really funky and it's more like I'm thinking about something with no visuals at all, or seeing only some kind of weird cartoony image.

At least I THINK that's what he's saying!

If that's what it s... some dreams are just like that. Read up on techniques for stabilizing a dream and increasing clarity. Nina has a great tutorial on that in the Wiki. One thing to try is simply say out loud in the dream "increase clarity".

**Marm** · 08-13-2011 10:19 AM

Clarity of dreams will improve as you get better at recalling your dreams and stabilising. The human memory works via association, so when people comment on their dreams as being fuzzy and whatnot, its because they can't remember specific details their minds can relate to.

**Darkmatters** · 08-13-2011 10:24 AM

Oh ok... I misunderstood and thought that you had misunderstood....

**Marm** · 08-13-2011 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Darkmatters

Oh ok... I misunderstood and thought that you had misunderstood....

I'm afraid its just you my friend

**Darkmatters** · 08-13-2011 11:43 AM

**Marm** · 08-13-2011 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Darkmatters

Me slapping you.

**Darkmatters** · 08-13-2011 12:21 PM

*groan* why does it feel like I"m in the playground at grade school?

**ninja9578** · 08-13-2011 01:13 PM

Sometimes your dream needs a backstory, so your brain creates one for you, giving you false memories in order to explain why you are doing what you are doing.

**d0urd3n** · 08-13-2011 06:46 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. Hmm so it sounds like the problem is most likely recall to increase vividness. However my dreams are never really fuzzy or cartoonish. And Pieman I realize I controlled the dream I just didn't really do it I just remembered it. I remember trees and grass and whatnot but I guess they could be more vivid. I started a dream journal the other day but I keep going to bed late which is why I think I'm not remembering anything. And ninja thats an interesting concept which could be why I remember texture and backgrounds. How long do you guys think I should keep my DJ for before starting to become lucid? Or how many dreams or what vividness? Also is this very common? Thanks.