Hi, Newbie Here

[badassbob]

Hi everyone, i'm new here and I just wanted to introduce myself and to ask a few questions. I've been trying to have lucid dreams for about a week now, and i'm really not getting anywhere. I've been keeping a dream journal, and the problem is that nothing too far out of the ordinary ever happens in my dreams. This makes it difficult for me to recognise when i'm actually dreaming. I've been using the reality testing method, and it hasn't worked. Does anyone here think that it's worth buying any of the equipment that helps initiate lucid dreams? And is the WBTB method any better than the reality testing method? How long did it take for everyone else to have their first lucid dream? I had one years ago, but that was before I even knew it had a name, and even before I really knew it was possible, I woke up instantly with the excitement and really never got a chance to do anything.

[AwesomeAlex13]

Well first off, welcome! I'm a newbie too, and I'll do my best to answer most of your questions. For most people to have their first lucid dream, it takes practice, and sometimes a month or more. I was lucky to have a lucid dream a day after I heard about it. It only lasted about 30 seconds, and was only about half lucid, but it's an incredibly experience. Here's my advice... BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Before you go to bed, tell yourself you're going to remember your dreams, and that you'll become lucid. This method is one of the big things that has been helping me this week. Also, how many dreams are you recalling per night? To be a good lucid dreamer, it's generally said you should remember 2-3 dreams per night. This is the step I'm working on right now and I'll tell you if I figure out any techniques that help. But most of all, don't get frustrated or give up. It's like an instrument... you're not going to sit down at a guitar and play an incredible song straight up, this takes practice. But hey, I've only been trying this for about a week. Maybe some big lucid dreamer will post and prove me completely wrong. Who knows? Feel free to PM me with any questions or anything! EDIT: About reality checks. They seem to be working for me. I used them at camp (where I heard about lucid dreaming) and one night when I had a dream about going somewhere in camp I thought Hmmm... better do a reality test! and to my amazement I could fly. It only last about 20 seconds, but it was great. The RT's help me, but they take a lot of practice.

[badassbob]

Thanks for your help. And to answer to your question, I usually remember two or three dreams per night.

[NeAvO]

Firstly welcome to DV You should give yourself more then a week on attempting to LD as the time it takes to LD is different for everyone. I think the WBTB is good for beginners especially if you spend that time reading about LDing. Just keep doing reality checks and use a dream journal and should get there. Like AwesomeAlex13 said be patient and have confidence in your self.

[Burns]

Welcome to the forum, bob The others gave good advice about being patient and practicing. Keep writing everything down in your journal, and keep trying new things. It sounds like you've already been through the tutorials - just keep in mind that these are guidelines - everyone is different. You'll need to find what works for you and go with it. Personally I would not suggest buying anything that claims to induce lucid dreaming. Most of these devices are scams. You are perfectly capable of LDing on your own. Just keep plugging away and you'll get there. Good luck and have fun!