New.... and having a bit of trouble

[AscendedSleeperCai]

Hello... my name is leon... I was really happy to find this place because I am having a bit of trouble... See... I started trying dream control around the first of this year, I had no luck as in the past 3 months, I have had absolutey no dreams at all... My nights are boring now, as when I was 10-14 I had really great dreams, and I think (Vaguely) I was able to control them... I want to be able to do that again.... can anyone help me out?

[nina]

Sure there are lots of ways to get back those cool dreams. Try starting a dream journal to record your dreams when you wake up. You actually DO dream every night it's just that most of the time we forget. So also setting your alarm to go off sometime while you are in REM will wake you up and you can remember that dream very vividly and write it down in your journal. Once you have enough stuff in your journal you will notice certain similarities, or dream signs...that will eventually be used to trigger lucidity. So first...start a dream journal Second...recognize common themes in your dreams (talking to people, being naked in class, driving off a cliff, etc...they are different for everyone) Third...do a reality check everytime you are presented with one of your dream signs. Say one of your dream signs is a tornado...if you were sitting watching a TV show about a tornado...do a reality check! That's just a tiny example though. There are tons of reality check techniques out there and a bunch of info on the forum if you care to do a search If you have any more questions for need any help feel free to PM me -nina

[TygrHawk]

Actually, you are almost certainly still dreaming every night. You just need to improve your recall. When you are going to bed at night, tell yourself "I will awaken after I dream, and I will remember my dream". When you wake up in the middle of the night, try to recall your dream, and write it down (maybe keep a notepad by your bed). If that method doesn't work, try setting an alarm to wake you up 5-6 hours after you go to bed. One other note, for most people, smoking pot seems to inhibit dream recall. I'm not assuming that you do this, but mentioning it just in case.

[AscendedSleeperCai]

I remember the last thing I dreamed about (In january) It was right after I had purchased "World of Warcraft" I know it's nerdy, but I dreamed I was in one of the forests.... and all of that... Is it possible that New events trigger more memorable dreams? oh, and what is REM?

[AscendedSleeperCai]

Originally posted by TygrHawk Actually, you are almost *certainly still dreaming every night. *You just need to improve your recall. *When you are going to bed at night, tell yourself \"I will awaken after I dream, and I will remember my dream\". *When you wake up in the middle of the night, try to recall your dream, and write it down (maybe keep a notepad by your bed). *If that method doesn't work, try setting an alarm to wake you up 5-6 hours after you go to bed. One other note, for most people, smoking pot seems to inhibit dream recall. *I'm not assuming that you do this, but mentioning it just in case. Nope, no drugs at all (Against my religion, and my values) but I'll try the alarm thing mentioned by you two, I am a heavy sleeper, but maybe it will work now (I haven't tried alarms in over three or four years)

[nina]

REM - rapid eye movement Usually occurs after 5 hours of sleep I'm told (but it's different for everyone) Stage of sleep where you are dreaming. And YES I DO think that things like video games, and rpgs etc. increase our ability to have really fun and interesting dreams b/c it opens up a creative side of our minds. That, and also the pure WILL that "I want to be that kick ass character in that game" or whatever (I don't know I don't play games hehe) but still...it can be enough to spark a lucid dream about it.

[AscendedSleeperCai]

Originally posted by Aquanina REM - rapid eye movement Usually occurs after 5 hours of sleep I'm told (but it's different for everyone) Stage of sleep where you are dreaming. And YES I DO think that things like video games, and rpgs etc. increase our ability to have really fun and interesting dreams b/c it opens up a creative side of our minds. That, and also the pure WILL that \"I want to be that kick ass character in that game\" or whatever (I don't know I don't play games hehe) but still...it can be enough to spark a lucid dream about it. I also had a dream back when I role played (In real life, I did World Of Darkness) I always connected with it and my dreams let me continue all of the stories at night... I just found a journal and put it on my nightstand and will start tonight! Thanks ^^