Thread: Hello hello

Hello and welcome to my Introduction Thread and First Post.

So what brought me here? Just a general interest for lucid dreaming?

Well yes, that, but also the fact that I'm looking to learn more about the subject since I'm writing a "novel" about an LDing detective. It is an idea I have had for some time, but I still haven't figured out the best way to pull it off. But I digress.

So I have experienced sporadic lucid dreams in the past, but it doesn't happen often. Or, shall I say, I don't remember them often. I started keeping a dream journal in 2011, and since then I have only one documented lucid dream. And, according to my notes, I woke up after realizing I was dreaming. I think I first heard of LD when I read KISS Guide to Dreams, which must have been some time before I started keeping a journal.

So... I suppose the first thing I need to do is to improve my dream recalling ability. I do toy with the idea of setting my alarm on 4:30, but... I don't know if I want to do that... Yet... I have heard of the Looking at the time RC and Looking at your writing RC. But the Plug your nose and Fingers through the palm are both new to me, so I shall be doing those repeatedly throughout my day from now on. And really try to focus on some mantra as I fall asleep. (Do I have to say a mantra out loud or is it OK if I just think it? And can the mantra be anything, or does it have to be related lucid dreaming? Does it have to be (something like): "I will become lucid", or can it be "A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down"? Is the idea that the sentence will remind me to become lucid, or is it supposed to serve as a sign that I am dreaming? If I have "A spoonful of sugar..." in my head as I am already dreaming, will I then think: "Hey, that's my mantra so I must be dreaming!"? I hope I'm making sense, I'm not very eloquent.)

Although I do believe it is possible to improve ones Dream Recall (and even lucidity...), my biggest obstacle is lack of discipline. But I did borrow two books on the subject of dreams this week, so dreams are definitely on my mind right now, so hopefully it will affect my actual dreaming.

Welcome to the forum!

The books, in addition to forum reading will both help, in all likelihood. I thin immersing yourself in the idea of a lucid dream can be one of the greatest things you can do, next to keeping up with a dream journal. I know you said you lack discipline but perhaps the goal of a lucid dream will help with that.

As for a mantra...it need not be related to lucid dreaming if you don't want it to be. The mantra is designed to help you set your intention and retain the thought/goal while you are dreaming. The mantra should be significant to you and can be as simple as "Lucid" or "Giraffe". What's important is that you recognize it(the word or phrase) and that the mantra helps you achieve lucidity.

You need not say the mantra out loud if you wish. I never do. But do try taking some time to relax during the day, particularly if you feel run-down or tired in the afternoon. The sleepy periods are good times to relax and do your mantra and cement the word/phrase into your mind. Right before bed is alright but don't lose sleep over it, and realize that you're not likely to have luck with dreaming until after several hours have passed. If you wake up in the night (naturally or for WBTB with alarm) try also reciting your mantra then.

We have these great people on the forum called Dream Guides. We selected them for their experience and ability to help people and they can help you reach your goals. You may post your questions as a thread on the forum or you can send a Private Message to any of the Dream Guides for help.

Pleasant dreams! Enjoy the forum!