Thread: First Time Incredible

This is my first post, I promise to keep them shorter in future. Included will be a short description of my sleep and dream history and first lucid dream. Also I have a few questions, so anyone with the patience to take a few minutes to read my account and reply with any positive advice or feedback- it would be greatly appreciated.

I had my first lucid dream (in which I was able to influence my own actions) on sat night (11.03.06). I have previously had dreams in which I have realised I am in fact in a dream, but this was the first time I felt able to manipulate or control it. I awoke shortly after, or during. Actually I believe I induced my own awakening by becoming a little upset(which I will come back to later). Then it was a case of getting on-line and finding out about it and making sure I'm not losing my mind!!

Here is a little of my dream history and also my sleeping pattern:
-While I was younger (approx. 8-12 yrs. old) I had, on occassion, very vivid nightmares, from which I would awake in a confused hallucinatory state that would apparently last a minute or two and would be pretty scary (my mother tells me).

-I have two recurring dreams, one involving a large silver ball with a very strange but enjoyable texture(occuring much less frequently these days), and a frequently occuring flying dream (rather than flying like superman, I actually make a swooping motion that decreases in altitude each time, untill I have to begin again. Although I do take off from the ground). Increasingly, I have been able to recognise that I am not awake during this dream ( approx 10 times).

- my average sleeping pattern is interupted, normally to bed at 11p.m, waking at around 4a.m, shortly falling into sleep again without hinderance, finally to wake at about 5.50a.m. ( I have been told and read on numerous occasions that interupted sleep may be a sign of some underlying problem or stress, however I feel no ill affects from this and actually appreciate my sleep less if I fail to awaken briefly in the early hours).

On sat night I went to bed at a later than normal 2a.m and fell to sleep immediately. I had not been drinking but was feeling more tired than usual. I had two dreams in succession (or possibly one dream with two scenes). The first being an unpleasant situation where I felt betrayed and humiliated by a close friend acting in a very unusual manner, and then the second being my recurring flying dream. I feel the combination of these scenes induced my sudden realisation that I was dreaming. It was a very potent moment, I can not over-state how clear everything became.
The environment changed after the flying dream to a surreal hotel with a series of doors leading to identical rooms, all the while I am enthralled in my own consciousness.I distinctly remember thinking "this is a dream, I can make things happen". I am not too sure whether i was able to manifest a mirror on the wall but I certainly was able to change my appearance in it at will ( I have read another account of this occurance on this site earlier, apparently It is quite a popular manipulation). A few details will be ommited due to embarresment but I was also able to manifest a small object in my hand and move a cup sideways on a table with my mind (although I was unable to make it levitate, which I believe led to me waking up because of stress or dissapointment).

I awoke in the morning feeling incredible and the entire experience was incredibly vivid in my mind. I am obviously keen to recreate the experience. In fact last night I had trouble falling asleep because of excitement and failed to become lucid, although I clearly remember my dreams and am a little dissapointed I didn't recognise my dream state, as my surroundings and other peoples' behaviour were quite strange.

One final comment on the lucid part of my dream was how similar it was to when you have a surge of adrenaline. Sight and sound seemed very focused and colours very defined. Again, I really cant overstate how fascinating everything was. But you guys already know this, so please forgive my explanation if it is a little indulgent.

So, a few questions-

-what kind of response do you get when you tell non-lucid dreamers about your experiences? I told two friends and my housemate and I have to admit only got a positive response from one friend.

-Is there any reading material available to purchase for techniques of inducement?
Staring at a computer screen really hurts my eyes after 10 minutes or so.

-They say that dreams run in faster than real time. Do you think this is the case with lucid dreams or do they run in real time?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and comment or offer any advice, it really is greatly appreciated. I have to say I am very excited and hope to get positive results in the future.

Please feel free to email me at [email protected].

Looking forward to hearing about anyone elses' experiences.