A few questions from a beginning Lucid Dreamer.

I just discovered the idea of Lucid Dreaming, and I am interested in starting it. I've read a little on the forums so far, and I have a few questions I would really appreciate if you guys could answer.

1. Is it possible to Lucid Dream right after you go to sleep?
2. How can I Lucid Dream while maintaining enough sleep (I have to wake up at 5:45 every morning for school)?
3. Is there anywhere on the forums where I can find a guide of all the different LD terms? (E.g. WILD, DILD, LD)
4. I'm not exactly sure how to word this, but I want to be able to dream more. I know that you always dream, but I want to be able to experience the dream. I'm not talking about remembering the dream afterwards when you wake up, but actually during the dream.
5. Is keeping a dream journal essential for Lucid Dreaming?
6. Is there anywhere you would recommend me checking out as I begin my journey into LDing?
7. Are there any side effects, or anything kind of "scary" that happens while attempting to LD?
8. Will LDing cause me to sleep past my alarm in the morning?
9. Is there anything else important I need to know?
10. Why exactly do you Lucid Dream?

Sorry for the "few" questions I have (lol)! Thanks for any feedback! :)

I now realize I probably should have put this in the Introduction Zone. Can a mod move this please (if necessary)?

Moved to introduction zone :)
Welcome to DV btw.

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Originally Posted by KnightTime

I just discovered the idea of Lucid Dreaming, and I am interested in starting it. I've read a little on the forums so far, and I have a few questions I would really appreciate if you guys could answer.

1. Is it possible to Lucid Dream right after you go to sleep?
2. How can I Lucid Dream while maintaining enough sleep (I have to wake up at 5:45 every morning for school)?
3. Is there anywhere on the forums where I can find a guide of all the different LD terms? (E.g. WILD, DILD, LD)
4. I'm not exactly sure how to word this, but I want to be able to dream more. I know that you always dream, but I want to be able to experience the dream. I'm not talking about remembering the dream afterwards when you wake up, but actually during the dream.
5. Is keeping a dream journal essential for Lucid Dreaming?
6. Is there anywhere you would recommend me checking out as I begin my journey into LDing?
7. Are there any side effects, or anything kind of "scary" that happens while attempting to LD?
8. Will LDing cause me to sleep past my alarm in the morning?
9. Is there anything else important I need to know?
10. Why exactly do you Lucid Dream?

Sorry for the "few" questions I have (lol)! Thanks for any feedback! :)

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1) Not unless you are having a nap. The brain must always go through a period of N-rem before it gets to REM in which we can dream. You can nap or have rem rebound where the amount of time spent in Nrem is significantly reduced. In general dreaming starts to become increasingly long after around 4-5 hours asleep.

2) You will have to go to bed earlier. It is unlikely that you will be able to maintain lucid dreaming without atleast 7 hours of sleep each night.

3) Yes http://www.dreamviews.com/wiki/Category:DV-Dictionary

4) you will if you remember them more afterwards. The amount you remember actually being there directly correlates to how much time you spend remembering them in the morning. As you show interest in your dreams you will automatically show more awareness in your dreams and an easier ability to recall them

5) Yes, pretty much essential

6) Just this site, have a look at threads on awareness and try read up about DILD and MILD a lot. Stay away from WILD until you have a few lucids first.

7) No, the dream will reflect your own emotions or reactions. Act happy or powerful and the dream will be commanded by you, act scared or stressed and the dream will overpower you.

8) Not if you dont use WBTB (waking up to increase chances of LD). If you do nothing but sleep and then have a 30 min LD you will probably wake up better than if you didn't. Most people report being happy throughout the entire day after having an LD.

9) Experiment with techniques and things yourself. Chances are that you will know what works best for you better than anyone here will when it comes to increasing lucid frequency.

10) Because it gives me a portal into a world unrivaled in terms of creativity, self reflections and stress relief.

Welcome KnightTime! dutchraptor explained it pretty well, so I'll just fill in a little.

1. Actually you might be able to...NREM WILDing

2. If you have less than 3 hours of sleep one night, the next night you will have much more REM. This is called REM rebound. You can use this to get LDs on days when you can't get much sleep, although I wouldn't recommend it if you have school the next day.

6. The Intro Class, (and WILD is easier than people so it is so don't be scared away from it)

7. No.

8.Your mental alarm clock should still be functioning.

9. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it right away.

10. Why not?

I have one more question. Why are LDs so unstable (you can only have them for a short amount of time)?

Edit: Another :P Why can you go into a LD easily while napping but not before bed?

Welcome to DV!

No worries about the questions also, people here are always open to answer whatever questions you may have. Everybody has to start somewhere but just remember there are knowledgeable people here and a plethora of knowledge on all things dreaming, lucid or not. Now, I'm going to try and answer your last question, bare with me though, I don't think there is a definitive answer. I'm sure other members could chime in to give a more accurate answer here. Not all LD's are unstable. Sure, when you first get accustomed to it and its a new experience it may be hard to stay in a dream longer than a few seconds after becoming lucid. This will pass and with enough practice you will become used to the dreaming state, and be able to have longer and fuller lucid dreams. The main problem that I have is keeping my motivation up, this is changing for me, now!

Also, I'm sure you've been recommended to, or read about, keeping a dream journal. This is something that is a must-have for me. You need to record your dreams every night, whether they are lucid or not. There is an online one here but I prefer to have a physical journal somewhere in arms reach (I have mine on my nightstand). Just use it like a regular journal, I like to mark the date, time when I go to sleep, and if I wake up in the middle of the night after an LD, I will record the time and then proceed to wright out the dream as I can remember it. I also found it handy to go backwards in your dream. For example, remember what just happened, then what you did before, and before, etc. Its much more difficult for me to restart at the beginning of the dream and try and remember what happened in order. Also, type out your dreams into the online DJ here if you like, that way you can spread your experience and get insight on what type of symbols are in your dream, or to just have praise from someone for having a sweet lucid dream!

Also remember, the more attention you put towards lucid dreaming in reality, the higher the chances of having a LD of your own.

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Originally Posted by MrSlugInfinite

Welcome to DV!

No worries about the questions also, people here are always open to answer whatever questions you may have. Everybody has to start somewhere but just remember there are knowledgeable people here and a plethora of knowledge on all things dreaming, lucid or not. Now, I'm going to try and answer your last question, bare with me though, I don't think there is a definitive answer. I'm sure other members could chime in to give a more accurate answer here. Not all LD's are unstable. Sure, when you first get accustomed to it and its a new experience it may be hard to stay in a dream longer than a few seconds after becoming lucid. This will pass and with enough practice you will become used to the dreaming state, and be able to have longer and fuller lucid dreams. The main problem that I have is keeping my motivation up, this is changing for me, now!

Also, I'm sure you've been recommended to, or read about, keeping a dream journal. This is something that is a must-have for me. You need to record your dreams every night, whether they are lucid or not. There is an online one here but I prefer to have a physical journal somewhere in arms reach (I have mine on my nightstand). Just use it like a regular journal, I like to mark the date, time when I go to sleep, and if I wake up in the middle of the night after an LD, I will record the time and then proceed to wright out the dream as I can remember it. I also found it handy to go backwards in your dream. For example, remember what just happened, then what you did before, and before, etc. Its much more difficult for me to restart at the beginning of the dream and try and remember what happened in order. Also, type out your dreams into the online DJ here if you like, that way you can spread your experience and get insight on what type of symbols are in your dream, or to just have praise from someone for having a sweet lucid dream!

Also remember, the more attention you put towards lucid dreaming in reality, the higher the chances of having a LD of your own.

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Really appreciate it MrSlugInfinite! :) I am kinda skeptical about this but I see that so many people have had this experience, and I remember once when I was a lot younger realizing in a dream that it was a dream, and I also had SP a couple times.

What should I do my first time when I first enter a LD? My guess is try to stabilize it. I have seen that many people just look at their hands for a moment and think "Stabilize" and "Clarity".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KnightTime

I have one more question. Why are LDs so unstable (you can only have them for a short amount of time)?

Edit: Another :P Why can you go into a LD easily while napping but not before bed?

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You don't dream much when you're in NREM, that's why. When you nap you enter REM quickly.

Don't be skeptical. Believe that you will have a lucid dream because it is indeed possible. My first LD's I was too excited to even think about stabilizing, but that would definitely be a nice thing to work on as early as possible. The earlier you learn to stabilize your dreams, the longer LD's you can have in the future. One of my favorite things to do is just explore. If you are in your house, walk around, notice things that are different, maybe take a step outside and take a drive around your area. Try to soak everything in. In my opinion, the best stabilization technique for me is to just pay close attention to everything that is happening. Focus on the textures on surfaces. Be sure to activate all your senses also! See what things smell like, maybe eat some objects that you would otherwise not, just to see what they will taste like.

One fun thing that I like to do is check what's in your pockets. You never know the things that you may find in there!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrSlugInfinite

Don't be skeptical. Believe that you will have a lucid dream because it is indeed possible. My first LD's I was too excited to even think about stabilizing, but that would definitely be a nice thing to work on as early as possible. The earlier you learn to stabilize your dreams, the longer LD's you can have in the future. One of my favorite things to do is just explore. If you are in your house, walk around, notice things that are different, maybe take a step outside and take a drive around your area. Try to soak everything in. In my opinion, the best stabilization technique for me is to just pay close attention to everything that is happening. Focus on the textures on surfaces. Be sure to activate all your senses also! See what things smell like, maybe eat some objects that you would otherwise not, just to see what they will taste like.

One fun thing that I like to do is check what's in your pockets. You never know the things that you may find in there!

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Wow, you really do inspire me! Thanks for all the help. I think I might wait until school is over at the end of May so I can fully commit to this. Again, thanks a ton :)