Newibie: Did I Have A Lucid Dream?

Hello everyone,
I've been dabbling with LDs for several years, but with little success until this morning. At least I think I had a LD.
It was during a late REM when I became aware that I was dreaming. I did nothing to induce the LD; it sort of popped out of nowhere. I was able to influence the dream to the extent that I was able to fly! However I have a number of questions.
1. The event seemed more "dream-like" than I understood LDs to be; they've been described a being very vivid nad hyper-real. This was not the case. I did feel more aware than I would have been in a regular dream.
2. What are the criteria that define LDs.
3. Are there gradations of lucidity?

I apologize for the newbie questions; I am not familiar, as yet, with the terminology of lucid dreaming and I am not sure what to look for. Thanks for the input.
neilrau

Hey and welcome to DV. The answer is: all LDs are different. Some are clear, some aren't. When you have more , they'll probably get clearer. The definition of a Lucid Dream is to know that you're dreaming. That's it. You don't have to influence anything, you just have to realise that you're dreaming. As for the levels thing, there are different levels of lucidity - you can be only just lucid (knowing you're dreaming but not really thinking about it further) all the way to full scale control of your environment and being fully aware of the dream

hope that helped

Toast

As long as you were aware that it was a dream, it was a lucid dream. Thats all it needs to be considered a lucid dream. Control, vividness, realism, these are all bonuses but not necessary to be considered lucid.

So, that said, congratulations! :D

Thanks for the input.
It is gratifying to realize that I apparently did have a LD. The randomness of it was a little disconcerting however. I've tried for years to have this happen and all of a sudden...
But I do know what the LD FEELS like now, so hopefully I will be able to recognize it in the future.

http://www.dreamviews.com/forum/inde...howtopic=43583

Hello neilrau, welcome to DV! :)

Seems like people have already answered most of your questions, but I'll just pop in my own two cents.

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Originally Posted by neilrau

1. The event seemed more "dream-like" than I understood LDs to be; they've been described a being very vivid nad hyper-real. This was not the case. I did feel more aware than I would have been in a regular dream.[/b]

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Some of my LDs have been like this - barely more vivid than normal dreams, and they "feel" not much different to normal dreams. But on the other hand, some of my LDs have been "hyper-real". I think it just varies between people, and between dreams.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neilrau

2. What are the criteria that define LDs.[/b]

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An LD is any dream in which you are consciously aware that you are dreaming, or realise this at some point within the dream.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neilrau

3. Are there gradations of lucidity?[/b]

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Nothing formal or definite, to my knowledge. But it's definitely possible to be more or less lucid. Sometimes I can be having a dream, become lucid, and then lucidity fades later in the dream. I'll still be aware that i'm dreaming, but... only just? If that makes sense? Other times, it is very firm in my mind that i am dreaming. Hence, more lucid. Also you should remember that lucidity is not about dream control. The two often match up, but they're two different things.

Thanks everyone for the tips and suggestions. They wee very helpful.
Yes is was exciting to have my first LD. This, however, morning nothing happened; I don't even remember my dreams. I didn't really expect anything as I realize that the course of these events is quite variable.
I guess my next question is; what is the next step?
Thanks again.