Just Started and have A LOT of questions

[zekobu]

O.K i just found out about lucid dreams yesterday researching dreams. I'm going crazy thinking about having one, i tried last night and either i don't remember it or it wasn't lucid. anyway heres my questions. A LD is just where your body is asleep and ur mind isn't wandering like a normal dream? To start a lucid dream is all you have to do is actually believe that you will have one? either with WILDS or any other technique? I might already have had a few(i know my mind is powerful) but i am not sure at all, is it possible? And i rarely get into the state where my eyes are slowly closing and I'm drifting off or i fall asleep before it, is there anyway to make sure that i can notice i am going to fall asleep? I'm hellbent on having one, any help would be greatly appreciated. Iv also searched around and haven't found really helpful things on actually Inducing a LD just things to realize your in a dream. Thanks.

[suttsman]

Welcome to the forum! You'll like it here, I guarantee. As for your questions: 1. A lucid dream is a dream where you are aware you're dreaming. 2. You can do something called a Reality Check, which is testing the dream, like for example, looking at your hands, and seeing extra fingers. Also there's other methods. Go to the Tutorials section for more information. 3. Yes, it is very possible. Look at my Dream Journal (it's the 1st link in my sig) 4. Again, yes, go to the Tutorials. 5. There's subliminal MP3s that are supposed to help you, but it's kind of hit-and-miss. Go to the Lucid Aids forum for more info. (Oh, and starting your own dream journal will help too. The better the dream recall, the better the chance is of having a Lucid Dream)

[DuB]

Many of your questions are answered on the Dream Views main page: http://www.dreamviews.com/ Use the side bar to navigate through the articles.

[Moonbeam]

to DreamViews, zekobu! Looks like you've been pointed to the right places, so I'll just say good luck, and I hope you have fun.

[zekobu]

ok awesome, thanks guys for the help. I guess im expecting something else seeing i dont understand how reality checks can start lucid dreams.

[Moonbeam]

Well, RC's are used to confirm that you are dreaming. I know it seems like it should be obvious, and usually if you wonder if it is a dream, it is a dream, but sometimes you just need that little extra bit to help convince you that it is a dream before you do something that you really wouldn't want to do in real life. Another thing, doing many RC's during the day keeps you focused, aware, observant, and ready for the possibility that you might be dreaming. This increased vigilance will carry over into your dreams--that vigilance, more than anything, will get you lucid. Also, they're just really cool to do when you're dreaming--it's just a trip to put your finger thru your palm, or look at your hand and see twenty fingers. No matter how real the dream seems, you can usuallly (not always) get one of the RC's to work.

[Twoshadows]

Welcome, zekobu... Yes, I agree with Moonbeam about reality checks. This increased vigilance will carry over into your dreams--that vigilance, more than anything, will get you lucid. That's really what helped me get lucid. I would regularly question my state through out the day, sometimes doing an actual check. But other times just looking around and asking myself, "Am I dreaming? Am I sure?" Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[zekobu]

ok ill get myself in a routune of reality checks getting ready, thanks.

[zekobu]

Hi, this is Zekobus Mother. I've just read about lucid dreams after my Son suggesting I do. It's something I was never aware of. I remember a lot of my dreams and some I have over and over again or quite often something will happen that's related to a dream from the night before. We both now have a journal ready to write our dreams down and we're going to practice a RC through the day. Also, I attend meditation classes with a Buddhist Nun and Zekobu is going to try a class....I'm presuming this would help the mind with recalling dreams. Would this help? Thanks....Zekobus Mum

[DuB]

Also, I attend meditation classes with a Buddhist Nun and Zekobu is going to try a class....I'm presuming this would help the mind with recalling dreams. Would this help? Thanks....Zekobus Mum As an avid lucid dreamer and regular meditation practitioner, I would say that it is doubtful that meditation aids in dream recall. It is possible that regular meditation provides some other benefits related to lucid dreaming, such as cultivating a relaxed yet aware frame of mind that is conducive to lucidity, but as far as dream recall specifically is concerned, the best thing one can do is to start a dream journal and make a routine of putting entries in it every morning immediately upon waking. Consistently recalling dreams is, for most, a difficult task which requires some practice; making regular entries in your dream journal will train your ability to recall fragile dream memories. Plus, not only is it entertaining to read over your recalled dreams, but analyzing them can aid you in determining what your personal dream signs are, which is an important step towards consistently gaining lucidity in your dreams.

[Twoshadows]

Hi, this is Zekobus Mother. That is so cool. A mother-son team! After I learned about lucid dreaming I told my mom about it, and even though she didn't actively try any techniques, just having me talk about it was enough for her to have a lucid dream of her own. It's a really neat thing to have a close family member interested in this too. I'm excited for both of you!