Hey Hey

[TheTimmeh]

Greetings from Vancouver, WA. The name's Tim, I'm 15. I like to think I act older than most my age, but I'd rather have you get to know me and make your own judgments rather than taking my probably biased word for it. :] Anyways, to the point: I believe my interest in dreams started, oh, some odd number of years ago when I had a dream consisting of me melting or morphing into a pool of goo. Nothing too exciting, but it piqued my interest in that I could actually feel (to some extent) what was happening to me while I was dreaming. It wasn't an intense sensation, but I definitely felt something and was thus intrigued. Up until that point I had assumed that dreams were only auditory / visual experiences and nothing more. Additional dreams involving pinching myself, etc. further disproved my assumptions and further drove me into interest in dreams and all their mysteries, though I haven't really delved deep into it until now. As far as lucid dreams go, I can't remember ever having a dream in which I was not only fully aware that I was dreaming, but capable of controlling the content of the dream as it happened. I know I've had ones recently in which I was at least partially aware of the fact that I was dreaming and maybe partially capable of controlling the dream, but I've never had 100% of both. For some time since my interest in dreams began I've tried controlling the content of my dreams through various measures, with mixed results. Mostly I've tried concentrating on or verbally repeating what I'd like to dream about while going to sleep. Either this hasn't worked much, or it's been working and I just haven't been able to remember it in the morning. I think that might be the case considering how much emphasis is apparently placed within communities such as this one on improving dream recall prior to developing dream control or lucid dreaming. Seeing this, several weeks ago I started keeping a dream journal and kept at it for a week or so, writing down whatever main details of my dreams I could remember each morning. I can usually still remember most of my dreams by just reading over the random details I put down. After a week of keeping the journal I started getting overwhelmed by stress from various sources and was unable to make entries for a few weeks, but started keeping it again about a week ago. My goal is to be making detailed entries every morning within a week. I've also started the "Course on Consciousness" recommended in the "LD Information & Links" thread under General Lucid Discussion. I've actually been surprised at how much it's done for me in the few days I've been following it. The first night I followed (partially, at least) its instructions produced one of the most satisfying dreams I've had in a while and probably the most detailed entry in my dream journal. The second night produced another satisfying, relaxing dream, though I neglected to record it in my journal. The third night produced some odd, interesting dreams but I unfortunately didn't have the time to write down all of them. I think it's just a matter of discipline and diligence at this point as to how effective the course (and my dream development as a whole) is for me. Anyways, it's getting late and I'm tired, so I think I'll cut my introduction off here. :] Thanks for reading!

[Gwendolyn]

I think that you have a great attitude in regards to dreaming. It's an awesome thing, and Lucid Dreaming is the mother of all dreams. It really is wonderful. And, I hope that you have a substantial amount of success. If you need anything, feel free to contact another member (or a DG like me ). Hope you have fun learning and participating in the forum.

[Seeker]

TIMMEH!!!!!!! Sorry, couldn't help myself! Welcome to DV, I agree with Gwen, great attitude! Please be sure to let us know if there is any way we can help you! Good luck!

[TheTimmeh]

Alright, here's my progress report: Still haven't had an LD, but I'm getting closer. I've tried WILD a few times now (using "1... I'm dreaming... 2... I'm dreaming...") but my sleep schedule is erratic and I've been having some aches and pains for the past couple of days, making relaxing difficult. I remember experiencing some minor HI last night in the form of a few small flashes in the corner of my eye, but I couldn't lie still and relax long enough to get anything more than that due to absolutely having to move into a more comfortable position. I woke up at 5:00 today ready to WILD but had to run around and do some things before getting back into bed, so I ended up with my mind drained and my body ready, not the other way around like it should be, and I again wasn't able to get comfortable for very long without aching badly and having to move around. I'll try establishing a solid sleep schedule over Spring Break and seeing how I do with WILD after that. On the bright side, I made my longest Journal entry yet this morning and I'm doing reality checks without needing reminders, so woohoo for that.

[ExoByte]

A RIB RA! RIB RA! TIMMEH! ( lol, south park ) Welcome to DV man!

[TheTimmeh]

Almost had an LD last night! I tried the "reverse blinking" technique while going to sleep but was unsuccessful due to not being able to lie motionless for long enough to induce SP or HI. I woke at 5:00, got up, and couldn't remember any dreams so I just walked around and went back to sleep shortly, again trying the "reverse blinking" technique, again unsuccessful. I really need to find some way to prevent the intense aches / itches that force me to move around. Anyways, one of my dreams consisted of me looking at myself in a mirror and seeing my face warp and distort, and I found this very odd and I believe I started thinking about the possibility that I might be in a dream. However, a few moments later, I gradually noticed that there was a water-covered sheet of glass between myself and the mirror and concluded that the water droplets on the glass must have been what was causing the distortion, then continued on with the dream and didn't come near lucidity again. If it weren't for the glass appearing I think I would have done a reality check and become lucid. I guess I wanted an explanation for the abnormality so much that my dreaming mind came up with one.