Hello Lucid Community

[Jhawk1206]

Hello there. I have been interested in lucid dreaming for a long time, many years in fact. So far I have only had a few experiences that I can say were even close to a lucid dream, but honestly I haven't had a true lucid dream...yet. It's funny because I heard about lucid dreaming after doing research about Astral Projection, and back in those days I saw lucid dreaming as a sort of childish version of astral projection, so I wasn't really interested in it at all. Now I realize the huge potential it has with regards to personal and spiritual growth. In fact, actually I am now more interested in lucid dreaming than astral projection. I am intrigued with the stories I have heard and read about, and I can't wait to see what kind of impact such a practice can make in my own life. I don't know why I haven't been able to have a lucid dream yet. Honestly, it's been quite discouraging, and I've even thought that I may not even be able to do it. I can recall dreams very well, and for a long time I did RCs quite regularly, but nothing ever came of it. I think there is something about the way my mind processes information that has kept me from it or kept me from focusing on it with the amount that is necessary. I look forward to discussing the subject with any and all of you. I don't really have anyone in my life that shares my interest, so it should be refreshing to take part in the discussion. I can't wait. Take care.

[pepsibluefan]

Welcome! Well, first I recommend you keep a dream journal. Not only is this good for dream recall but it is good for noticing patterns in your dreams. So next time you see those same patterns that might make you lucid. In my signature is a link to different techniques to get lucid. I really hope you find this information helpful.

[Jhawk1206]

Thanks for your reply. I actually do keep a dream journal. I admit that I have slacked from it from time to time. I actually use Evernote. I find that I can type more of my dream a lot faster than when I've kept a pad a pen by my bed. Most nights I can remember a huge amount of detail, often from a single dream. The biggest thing that worries me about my dreams is this: I've heard that advice you gave regarding seeing dreamsigns and such many times, but I never seem to have the ability to think about things critically to any degree whatsoever. Another thing that I have a problem with is the fact that my dreams are usually not that outlandish. True, I may be in a childhood home or something like that, there aren't usually too many things that are too out of the ordinary (no monsters, flying, or superhero fantasies). Anyway, thank you for your time, and I appreciate your willingness to help me out. Hopefully I'll be able to accomplish this goal soon.

[EbbTide000]

Welcome Jhawk Hello there. I have been interested in lucid dreaming for a long time, many years in fact. So far I have only had a few experiences that I can say were even close to a lucid dream, but honestly I haven't had a true lucid dream...yet. It's funny because I heard about lucid dreaming after doing research about Astral Projection, and back in those days I saw lucid dreaming as a sort of childish version of astral projection, so I wasn't really interested in it at all. Now I realize the huge potential it has with regards to personal and spiritual growth. In fact, actually I am now more interested in lucid dreaming than astral projection. I am intrigued with the stories I have heard and read about, and I can't wait to see what kind of impact such a practice can make in my own life. I don't know why I haven't been able to have a lucid dream yet. Honestly, it's been quite discouraging, and I've even thought that I may not even be able to do it. I can recall dreams very well, and for a long time I did RCs quite regularly, but nothing ever came of it. I think there is something about the way my mind processes information that has kept me from it or kept me from focusing on it with the amount that is necessary. I look forward to discussing the subject with any and all of you. I don't really have anyone in my life that shares my interest, so it should be refreshing to take part in the discussion. I can't wait. Take care. You sound a lot like me.

[Jhawk1206]

Welcome Jhawk You sound a lot like me. EbbTide000, have you had any success with lucid dreaming at this point, or are we struggling together?

[EbbTide000]

We are struggling together. the "000" at the end of my ussername "EbbTide000" is howmany times I've gotten Lucid in dreams since I have been online in 2008.

[mzungu]

Hi Jhawk! Welcome to the community. I'm knew here to, and haven't had my first LD yet (first since my childhood I mean). I wish you the best of luck. If you can't get lucid using traditional methods, you might use the Clock Induced Lucid Dream method where you train yourself to wake up 90 minutes early for a whole week then on the 8th day sleep your normal time, while on the ninth waking up 90 minutes early again. It doesn't rely on RCs, intentions or visualizations, just confusing your body to become conscious while it is still dreaming.

[Jhawk1206]

Thanks for the comment mzungu. I appreciate the ideas. I'm really looking forward to getting better at this. I hope you are successful as well. I think for the next few months I'm going to see if I can get a lucid dream using the MILD technique. I've tried the RCs, but it seems like I don't focus on them enough. I've wondered though, because it seems like whenever someone is talking about an experienced lucid dreamer, they always talk about RCs. Not sure. Guess I learn it all in due time. Hope we can help each other out.

[mzungu]

Supposedly for the RCs you have to actually question whether you are awake or sleeping when you do them. That way your brain associations that curious feeling with the question and when something similar happens in a dream, it triggers lucidity. You could just be doing them without enough awareness. I dunno. You are supposed to come to a rational conclusion that you are not dreaming, instead of just saying the words. Yes, I'll let you know if my techniques work, and I hope you become lucid soon. I'd be glad to help, but an experienced dreamer would probably be a better person to ask for now, until I've got some lucids under my belt.

[Sensei]

http://www.dreamviews.com/dreamviews...e-told-me.html Here is a thread for people struggling to LD. Also, are you a Jayhawk basketball fan? I haven't met anyone else around here that lives close enough to me to like Jayhawks. Lol.

[Jhawk1206]

Supposedly for the RCs you have to actually question whether you are awake or sleeping when you do them. That way your brain associations that curious feeling with the question and when something similar happens in a dream, it triggers lucidity. You could just be doing them without enough awareness. I dunno. You are supposed to come to a rational conclusion that you are not dreaming, instead of just saying the words. Yes, I'll let you know if my techniques work, and I hope you become lucid soon. I'd be glad to help, but an experienced dreamer would probably be a better person to ask for now, until I've got some lucids under my belt. Yeah, I've done a bit of both. I do end up just saying the words most of the time, or I feel like I go all out. The problem is that when I do them, I can't allow myself to let go of the fact that I know I'm already awake. I know you can never be totally sure, but I'm usually pretty sure. Sometimes I've done them, and I try to do it for several minutes at a time, but I always get bored doing it that way, then I just get frustrated again. I know it's all about balance, and I just haven't found it yet. It sure ain't like learning to ride a bike. Whenever I do them, I feel like I'm looking at my hands as if I'm an actor in a soap opera, and it's the first time I've ever seen a hand, so I end up just feeling stupid. Please do let me know. If nothing else, I think having as many people as possible confirm that they've done it, especially those who haven't yet, will help me get the confidence I need to truly let myself believe in it. I know it's been scientifically proven and all...but hell, I don't even trust science most of the time. Everybody's always changing their minds. Anyway, thanks for the comment. Here is a thread for people struggling to LD. Also, are you a Jayhawk basketball fan? I haven't met anyone else around here that lives close enough to me to like Jayhawks. Lol. Thanks for the link. I'll be sure to check that out. Sorry to disappoint, but no, I don't really get into sports. I like playing, just not watching. I've been asked that before though. It's really just a play on my name, I've been using that screen name ever since I was a child. It's a silly one, I know, but it's mine.

[mzungu]

Hi Jayhawk, I just had my first lucid dream last night. I combined awareness with my RCs, but of course like you I already know I'm awake. Neverthless when I'm doing RCs I look around and simulate a little curiosity as to whether I'm dreaming or not. It seemed to work, because I became lucid during a dream last night because of an RC. Being aware or mindful of my surroundings also seems to have helped, because in the dream my mind was conscious enough to question something strange, which usually does not happen.

[Jhawk1206]

Nice job mzungu! How was it? Everything you thought it'd be? I've been trying some things lately like affirmations before bed. I had a really vivid dream this morning in which I was asking the dream if I was dreaming or not, but it was quite a stressful situation (Actually Armageddon) so I wasn't able to keep my focus on asking. Glad that I'm getting closer though. I'll send you a friend request and we can keep up with each other if you'd like. I think I'm getting pretty close. Seriously though, it's awesome that you got one. I have such trouble with RCs. I need to get a watch I guess and set an alarm. I don't know.

[mzungu]

Nice job mzungu! How was it? Everything you thought it'd be? I've been trying some things lately like affirmations before bed. I had a really vivid dream this morning in which I was asking the dream if I was dreaming or not, but it was quite a stressful situation (Actually Armageddon) so I wasn't able to keep my focus on asking. Glad that I'm getting closer though. I'll send you a friend request and we can keep up with each other if you'd like. I think I'm getting pretty close. Seriously though, it's awesome that you got one. I have such trouble with RCs. I need to get a watch I guess and set an alarm. I don't know. Oh yes. It was great, though short (I think I woke myself up with excitement). Sounds like you are getting very close. You could have gone lucid last night, it sounds like, but maybe it's best to save your first lucid for something more peaceful. With RCs, I guess I just mentally remind myself to do them. I have four situations in which I usually do RCs, if I remember. When I look in the mirror, when I look at a clock or see the time, when I see the sky and when I'm drinking liquids. I like to string two RCs together, so one can act as a fall back if the other one fails. I do a nose pinch first, and then I try to stick my finger through my hand. If a watch will help you, then by all means get one. But if you can just remember to do them at certain parts of the day, you should be fine. Good luck on getting lucid, you are very very close!

[ThreeCat]

Hi JayHawk, you mentioned that you have never had a lucid dream--have you had an astral projection? If so, maybe try to do that some more and see if it's actually an LD.... Here are some helpful links: Intro Class Puffin's DILD Guide - Lucid Dreaming - Dream Views Welcome to the forum!

[Jhawk1206]

Hi JayHawk, you mentioned that you have never had a lucid dream--have you had an astral projection? If so, maybe try to do that some more and see if it's actually an LD.... Here are some helpful links: Intro Class Puffin's DILD Guide - Lucid Dreaming - Dream Views Welcome to the forum! I don't think that I've every had an OBE. I did have a strange experience a few years ago that seemed very similar, but it didn't last long, and I couldn't really do anything. It took every ounce of everything I had just to sit up. I heard a mechanical voice saying that it was all knowing, but then I shortly woke up to my original position on my couch. This was a very powerful and vivid experience, but I don't really know how to define it. From what I understand, is Astral Projection not considered more difficult to accomplish? Thanks for the links!

[Paralyzed]

When I used to TRY to practice OBEs ( horrible experience though) I always have this weird experience. I wake up from a dream with my eye sight 5 inches ahead of where it should be after about 15 seconds it would go back to normal, have you experienced anything like this jhawk?

[Sensei]

Thanks for the link. I'll be sure to check that out. Sorry to disappoint, but no, I don't really get into sports. I like playing, just not watching. I've been asked that before though. It's really just a play on my name, I've been using that screen name ever since I was a child. It's a silly one, I know, but it's mine. I actually hate watching sports as well, but I live in Kansas, so Jayhawks are everywhere. Good luck LDing. Let me know if you need any help.

[Jhawk1206]

When I used to TRY to practice OBEs ( horrible experience though) I always have this weird experience. I wake up from a dream with my eye sight 5 inches ahead of where it should be after about 15 seconds it would go back to normal, have you experienced anything like this jhawk? The only thing that I would ever truly call an experience was this one time when I was laying on my couch actively trying to Project. I laid there for what seemed like two hours until finally, I started feeling a strange vibration. I remember lifting myself very, very slowly to a seated position. It felt like gravity was three times as heavy or something. I could barely open my eyes, but what I could see, I was still in the living room. I finally got seated. I began to hear this weird mechanical voice telling me that it was all knowing. I got frightened by this, and I willed myself to snap out of it. I was very surprised to see that I was still laying down, because it felt like I had exerted so much energy just in sitting up. I still would like to do that someday, but yeah I think I have some blocks to get through or something. Seems like when people talk about it, they are so light about it, like, yeah I have Aps all the time, no big deal. Well, it's freaky as hell to me.

[Jhawk1206]

Hey Sensei. Thanks for the encouragement, and by the way, I listened to your audio. I think it's definitely a good thing to know what you're getting into, because I certainly didn't know what it was going to entail when I first started this whole thing.

[Sensei]

Hey Sensei. Thanks for the encouragement, and by the way, I listened to your audio. I think it's definitely a good thing to know what you're getting into, because I certainly didn't know what it was going to entail when I first started this whole thing. Glad you liked it! I have a lot more audios in the audio subforum that talk about achieving lucidity if you need something else to listen to.

[Jhawk1206]

This morning i laid down to take a nap. I've been doing this thing as I fall asleep where I try to visualize an object as clearly as I can. Many times when I do this, the object will eventually come clear, and usually it is an entire scene that is finely detailed that sort of fills in. So for instance, I was picturing a pine tree. I tried to visualize it from a bunch of different perspectives, then finally it appeared in full detail as a Christmas tree out in a town square. This thing with this exercise is that when that moment does finally hit, I am unable to sustain it. Lately however, I have noticed that there is a mental feeling that accompanies the crystal clear imagery, and I am generally able to hold onto that. Usually, when I do this, it has been putting me to sleep more quickly than I've ever been able to. Another effect of this, I think, is that I seem to be having much more vivid and detailed dreams because of it with more self awareness. Another thing about the visualizations: Sometimes I'll visualize something, say a beach ball, and an image and setting will emerge, but it has nothing to do with a beach ball. ??? it's just like my mind gives me a crystal clear snap shot that only lasts for a second. Anyway, I didn't know where to post this, so I'll just leave it here. Does anybody have any experience with this or ideas that will allow me to expand upon this? The reason I'm asking is because I had a dream this morning where I was constantly thinking stuff was weird. At one point I peed in a garbage can. A guy came up and threw something away while I was peeing, and I was like, "Why am I doing this? It's kind of rude" Then I left the bathroom without washing my hands, which I would never do in a public restroom anyway. Then a car stopped and it had like eight people in it. This guy gets out and is like "Hey Jabin (My name) long time no see. Sorry to hear things didn't go better." I knew he was from my past, so I assumed he was talking about my break up. I told him I wished it went better too. Then he said that the situation cost him a lot of money and if I didn't pay up he was going to take receipt of my property. At this point, I walk toward him, and I am in utter confusion. I'm wondering if this is a joke or some kind of scam. The fact was, I was surrounded by thug type guys who I felt probably had weapons. I decided to act as though I was unafraid, but the more bleak the conversation became (They insisted I owed them drug money or something) the more I thought to myself, this isn't real. however, that knowledge didn't lead to a lucid dream, instead I just woke up. And that always seems to be the case. Anyway, thanks for reading. Your thoughts and opinions are always appreciated.

[Paralyzed]

Lol peed in a garbage can, don't turn into Justin bieber .I know its tough to visualize I have trouble with it as well, I never am able to keep the picture from disappearing when I move my eyes. So I don't know how to visualize properly