Thread: I'm New, And I Have A Few Questions

Hello everyone, I have just started learning about lucid dreaming, but I'm extremely interested. I'm fascinated with the idea of lucid dreaming, and I'm excited to start attaining lucidity during dreams. I've started my dream journal (this week I made my first entry), and I occasionally do reality checks during the day, especially when I notice something especially odd. For the last couple of weeks, I've read quite a lot about lucid dreaming, and the different methods for inducing a lucid dream. I was extremely happy to find this forum among the various lucid dreaming sites out there.

I have a few questions that I haven't seen answers for while browsing the site. (I apologize, if there are some that have already been answered)

1) In reading about WILD, I saw that one must wake up after 6-7 hours of sleep (or something close to that) before attempting. My question is, is it possible to try a WILD as soon as one goes to bed (after relaxing of course), rather than having to wake up later? If not, is DILD the only method in which this is possible?

2) All the resources that I've read say that reality checks must be done often throughout the day. I was wondering whether this could be dangerous, in that it would be hard to separate reality from dreaming. It seems to me that if one is always reality checking, it would make it harder for them to keep the two apart. Is it possible to lucid dream without doing frequent reality checking during the day?

3) Are there any other suggestions for improving dream recall, besides keeping a dream journal? I haven't seen any other methods of increasing it besides keeping a journal.

4) Finally, is it possible to jump straight into lucid dreaming inducing methods? I tried WILD the last three nights, even though I knew I did not have very good dream recall. The last two nights, I got to a stage where my arms and legs were numb, and I saw swirls of color, but I stalled after that, finally getting sleepy and drifting to unconsciousness. Is it possible that I haven't done enough preparation yet, and that is holding me back? Perhaps it is because I'm trying it without the aforementioned 6-7 hours of sleep? Or should I just keep at it?

Sorry for the long post, and I appreciate any feedback.

1. there are a lot of different techniques... may I refer you to the tutorial section?

2. reality checks are a way of finding if you are dreaming or not for a reason... the results are so different from the logical result you'd get while awake that it is impossible to be able to mix it up.

3. some people claim the vitamin B6 and Melatonin work wonders.

4. you could... but I don't know the point of LDing without being able to remember it in the morning. again, DREAM RECALL IS NESSECARY

1) In reading about WILD, I saw that one must wake up after 6-7 hours of sleep (or something close to that) before attempting. My question is, is it possible to try a WILD as soon as one goes to bed (after relaxing of course), rather than having to wake up later? If not, is DILD the only method in which this is possible?

Yes is possible, but you have to do a very good relaxation exercise..
The reason that you sleep for 5-7 hours is due to the state that you wake up, all sleepy, relaxed and with a familiar feeling towards the dream world.

2) All the resources that I've read say that reality checks must be done often throughout the day. I was wondering whether this could be dangerous, in that it would be hard to separate reality from dreaming. It seems to me that if one is always reality checking, it would make it harder for them to keep the two apart. Is it possible to lucid dream without doing frequent reality checking during the day?

No danger in this,, and is a good exercise of awarness, most of your time you are un aware of what is happening around and with the RC, you stop a moment and become aware...
Do as many RC as you can.. do like 50 per day . This really helped me to have more LDs..
It becomes a habit.. so when you are in a dream you repeat this habit and become lucid.

Why are you so sure that this life is not a dream that you havent awaken from? how can you be so sure?.

3) Are there any other suggestions for improving dream recall, besides keeping a dream journal? I haven't seen any other methods of increasing it besides keeping a journal.

Autosuggestion, before going to sleep say to yourself *tonight Im going to dream and Im going to realise that that Im dreaming and Im going to remember all my dreams** make your owm frase.. get the idea??
)you are sending your subconcience a massage//


4) Finally, is it possible to jump straight into lucid dreaming inducing methods? I tried WILD the last three nights, even though I knew I did not have very good dream recall. The last two nights, I got to a stage where my arms and legs were numb, and I saw swirls of color, but I stalled after that, finally getting sleepy and drifting to unconsciousness. Is it possible that I haven't done enough preparation yet, and that is holding me back? Perhaps it is because I'm trying it without the aforementioned 6-7 hours of sleep? Or should I just keep at it?

You where almost there, you where entering sleep paralissis and HI, just mantain your attention in your breath or in the HI or in your physical sensation, not leting your mind to wander off.

Check the tutorial Section.. Loook for the stages of WILD.

Good Luck

Ben[color=#FF0000]

[/quote]

Yesterday, even though I have poor dream recall, I tried WILDing as soon as I went to bed. I experienced SP (even though most people describe it as freaky I though it was awesome... like being free from the worries of the world...) and after about 450 breaths I began to see lights all over. Even though I didn't go into the dream (I became VERY excited) I believe it was a strep forward, and I actually haven't had a better sleep in months,

So, I guess it depends on you. If you just came home from a stressful day of work/school, I would guess it doesn't work like how I described.

I also have a question... I'm an avid runner (call me crazy, I know ) and I'm wondering if a run and a hot shower before bed would help me in my quest for LDs?

Thank you very much, LUCIDITY NOW!, Ben_, and Sagea for the quick and useful responses. I appreciate the help.

Well the questions have been answered but I'll still say hello tswift and welcome to the forum

Originally Posted by tswift_2

1) In reading about WILD, I saw that one must wake up after 6-7 hours of sleep (or something close to that) before attempting. My question is, is it possible to try a WILD as soon as one goes to bed (after relaxing of course), rather than having to wake up later? If not, is DILD the only method in which this is possible?
[/b]

Yes, this is absolutely possible, in the same way it is possible for you to win a big lottery. It's just not likely. This has happened to me very few times in my life.

Originally Posted by tswift_2

2) All the resources that I've read say that reality checks must be done often throughout the day. I was wondering whether this could be dangerous, in that it would be hard to separate reality from dreaming. It seems to me that if one is always reality checking, it would make it harder for them to keep the two apart. Is it possible to lucid dream without doing frequent reality checking during the day?
[/b]

Yes, this is absolutely possible, in the same way it is possible for an infant to fight Mohammad Ali. I think the most helpful thing about reality checks is that they make you question whether you are dreaming or not. Most of the time, I can tell when I am dreaming, but something has to make you think about it first. It usually won't occur to you that you are dreaming unless you ask yourself, or think to check. You'll be surprised how easy it should be to confirm that you are in a dream. If you EVER have any question as to whether or not you are dreaming, you are.

Originally Posted by tswift_2

3) Are there any other suggestions for improving dream recall, besides keeping a dream journal? I haven't seen any other methods of increasing it besides keeping a journal.
[/b]

Not that I know of. Keeping a dream journal is the most effective way of connecting your consciousness with your sub. That's what it is basically all about. Keep your journal right next to your bed. Recall fades quickly. Once you start remembering your dreams, you'll start remembering more and more.

Originally Posted by tswift_2

4) Finally, is it possible to jump straight into lucid dreaming inducing methods? I tried WILD the last three nights, even though I knew I did not have very good dream recall. The last two nights, I got to a stage where my arms and legs were numb, and I saw swirls of color, but I stalled after that, finally getting sleepy and drifting to unconsciousness. Is it possible that I haven't done enough preparation yet, and that is holding me back? Perhaps it is because I'm trying it without the aforementioned 6-7 hours of sleep? Or should I just keep at it?
[/b]

WILD is the very hardest method I can think of. I've only done it on a few cases in my lifetime, and it was never on purpose. Get your 6-7 hours of sleep, wake up for a little bit. Watch some porn, and then try the same thing again. I've layed for hours making my limbs numb, and making swirls around my head, and making myself half crazy. It never amounts to anything for me.

-sloth