Hi everyone.

I became interested in lucid dreaming about a week ago in my research on the subject of different states of consciousness and how to transcend them. I approached this subject on a spiritual / intellectual level and did not have too much interest in attempting to LD, though the descriptions I read were compelling and incredibly interesting.

A few nights later, I woke up in the middle of the night (typical for me, I am a very light sleeper) and had an itch on my face. When I tried to scratch it, I realized that I could not move my limbs. I tried to call out to my wife who was sleeping next to me, but I could not speak. I began to panic, but I was familiar with sleep paralysis and knew what was happening. After this realization, I tried for a bit to put all my "strength" into moving my arms or legs, and could not. I decided to put my mind at ease and go back to sleep, which I did.

The following day, I began researching lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis more in depth. I decided to try to WILD. After work, I came home and was tired enough to take a nap. My wife was going for a run, so I had the house to myself. I spent about 45 minutes doing exercises (counting, telling myself I was dreaming, relaxing) and achieved the leaden, sinking feeling and very light HI, although I eventually fell asleep experiencing no sleep paralysis.

Several days passed as I continued to learn more about LDing. I began doing regular reality checks and just trying to be generally more aware of my surroundings, as well as keeping a dream journal (I have always had good dream recall). I experimented with willing myself to wake up at certain points of the night, with high success. I now wake up after every dream.

Last night, I had my first lucid experience. I woke at 3:00am, 3 hours after going to sleep. I went to the restroom and came back to bed. As I was lying there, I decided to try to WILD again. I did so half-heartedly as I was very tired and had to get up in 3 hours. About 10 minutes later, I was drifting off to sleep and realized this, and opened my eyes to try and stay awake and focus on the WILD. When I opened my eyes, the ceiling was red (it is normally white). I realized instantly that I was dreaming, and as soon as I realized it I felt like I was being pulled by my chest into the ceiling and my head began to spin. As it was happening, I got incredibly excited that I was entering a lucid dream. Mission aborted... at the height of my excitement I woke up. When I woke, my limbs were heavier than I have ever experienced and I was tingly all over. I thought I might be in sleep paralysis, but I wasn't. I was very excited, but also disappointed that it "didn't work." I fell back asleep after writing it down.

Next thing I know, I am sitting on the floor by my bed. For whatever reason, I did a reality check and what do you know, I could breathe through my plugged nose. I realized I was dreaming and suddenly attained a very low level of lucidity. Everything was "grainy" or fuzzy, but I was aware that I was dreaming. I tried to float, and it worked. I then got a little worried that I would float to the top of the room and get hurt by the fan (our bedroom is in the top of an old Victorian-style turret). I decided to float out the window, but I didn't want to go because it was dark. I tried to make it bright out, but I couldn't. I tried numerous times and couldn't get it to work. I eventually lost lucidity.

I am really interested in this subject and will continue to learn.

This seems like a great forum, thanks for having me.