Thread: Lucid dreaming scary?

I am new at LD, and I am not sure that I dare to try it. I am afraid that I will end in a nightmare or something thought I already know that I can control my dream.

Once you are good at lucid dreaming and have awareness and control, you can use them to turn a nightmare into an empowering experience. I actually used to look forward to nightmares back when i was proficient at lucid dreaming because they were different enough from my waking life so that invariably I would recognize them as nightmares and become lucid, and then I enjoyed befriending my foes or turning what scared me into something harmless. In fact that is a large part of why I am seeking lucid dreaming again after years of practicing because I remember the feeling of empowerment: of knowing that nothing can harm me, that I can do anything I want. Sure it does not happen right away, and in early lucid dreams one's control may be limited, but if they are nightmares, they would likely be nightmares without your awareness that it is a dream: so would you rather have a nightmare and think it is waking life or would you prefer to know that it is a dream while it is happening even when you are not good enough at control to change it yet, and with time gain the skill to change the nightmare into something better?

I think you need to go with more practice because as you are saying you can control your dream but still afraid that you will end in a nightmare so i dont think so you are completely in lucid.. Being Lucid, you are able to intervine with whatever may be happening in the dream, including waking yourself up.

Btw, i have read that i might have some hallusinations before i slip into the dream, and i was wondering if these hallusinations might be scary or frightening? thanks

Originally Posted by ErlendM

Btw, i have read that i might have some hallusinations before i slip into the dream, and i was wondering if these hallusinations might be scary or frightening? thanks

If you don't stress about it, they will not stress you Just relax and remember that all you're gonna do is sleep and dream. Besides, you'll probably be sleepy enough not to even notice them, and I bet this is an experience you had before many times (just like the rest of us). Good luck

I don't really understand, lucid dreaming will not be scary if you don't want it to be. You are in control of your dreams, which means if you don't want it to be a nightmare, it won't be. Just don't think to much of it man, and you should be fine. If your someone who has nightmares on a regular basis feel free to ask anyone around and they may be able to help you out. Best of luck,

-Phased

Ok, thank you for answering, i will try it tonight

If you don't expect them to be frightening, they won't be. My hypnagogic images tend to be very tame. This morning as I was falling asleep, I saw a number of things. I don't recall them all, but one I remember most vividly was this man or humanoid (didn't look quite human) and all of a sudden there he was in my face kind of staring at me and bending over me, but it was not scary to me just kind of interesting. Then there was some other character that was repeating some action as if stuck in some endless loop. A previous time I remember a painting that was kind of like the Mona Lisa but not quite. It's in that in between stage before I am fully asleep, and I see stuff, but I don't remember ever really getting scared by it, nor any strong emotions.

Edit: I guess the reason why I was not scared was I knew my eyes were closed, and that I was falling asleep, but not quite asleep yet so I could just open my eyes, but I was trying to fall asleep and stay aware. I managed to fall asleep but lost awareness.