Newbie here.

Hey guys I am a new member to the site. I don't normally buy into this stuff but I am really looking to get help in controlling my dreams. Specifically the death ones. I am sure you can all be of great help. Just pretty much saying hi.

:welcome:

Oh, death dreams must suck. I would start by figuring out what are common themes or objects in your dreams. These are called dream signs. Whenever you recognize one of these objects you should do a reality check to see if you are in fact dreaming or awake.

Hey thanks! A common correlation is that I am usually killed by black shadowy figures.

Okay, so whenever you see a dark shadow, check to see if you are dreaming. My favourite reality check is the memory one. Very few people here use it, but I think it's the most reliable.

think back over the past hour or two and rethink your steps. Have gaps in your memory? Can't remember how you go to where you are? You're dreaming! :)

I never thought of it like that. Thank you!

Remember to think it through thoroughly though, your brain will make things up on the fly and with the majority of your logic centre turned off you may miss some obviously oversights.

How did I get on this roof? I must have run up the side of the building. Oh, that seems right. :P Happens a lot, not only make sure that you don't have gaps in your memory, but what you remember happening is logical.

Yeah I just need to keep my mind focused. Does meditation help with that?

It helps train your mind to do that, but once you are dreaming you are in a deeper state of the subconscious that you can get to by meditating anyway.

In fact (SIDE NOT WARNING :P) I believe that the Buddhist claim of reaching a plane of enlightenment is nothing more than reaching a lucid dream by meditating so deeply that their body falls asleep while their mind is still awake. Many members here do that, it's called a Wake induced lucid dream.

Thanks I am going to look into this Wake induced lucid dream, sounds very interesting.

It's very difficult and very few people can do it consistently. Other methods are more adept for people who are new to the concept.