A Couple Questions

[hmmm]

Hi. I started learning about lucid dreams about 3 weeks ago. I've worked on my recall, but some nights i remember 1 or 2 dream, and other nights I don't remember any. Last night I had my first real lucid dream. It seems one of my dream signs is that I get in a car accident. So I did a reality check and I realized that I was dreaming (I woke up right after but it was cool.) I read that people have 4 or 5 dreams each night. If I'm not even remembering half my dreams, is it possible I have become lucid in other dreams and haven't remembered the dreams? Also, I'm keeping a dream journal and telling myself to wake up after each dream , but I still have nights where I don't remember any dreams. What should I do?

[Tornado Joe]

Hey Hmmm, First, congrats on your lucid dream Now, when you wake up, are you making sure to lie completely still and take a minute to recall your dreams? Sometimes those who are new to this think it's more important to start jotting things down right away but don't realize that if you don't take the time to recall where you just were, you'll quickly forget. It is technically possible, I suppose, to have a lucid dream but forget about it in the morning. Personally, though, I think it would be unlikely. First because a lucid dream would be so intense to me that I would likely awake straight from it, and doubt I could forget such an experience. Second, our dream cycle lasts longer as the night progresses. So, it's more likely to have a lucid in the early hours of the morning. Those dreams are much easier to recall than the earlier shorter dreams. Just keep at it, you're on the right track. Once you get lucid, your next task is to learn how to make your lucidity last longer.

[hmmm]

Thanks for the pointer. Also I have one more question. How long should I wait before attemting a WILD?

[Tornado Joe]

There's really no set time-period. I would just recommend getting a better grip on what lucid dreaming feels like first. There will be sensations during WILDing that you'll benefit from having some familiarity with sleep, dreams, and lucidity itself.