Thread: What does it feel like?

So recently I've been reading a lot about Lucid Dreaming on this site and the internet. I was just wondering, what exactly DOES a lucid dream feel like? How real is it? Usually in dreams, everything is a bit fuzzy and disorienting, so when you fall into a lucid dream, is it the same thing or is it more sharp and clear? Like, can you hold up your hands and actually see them and be aware that they're there?

On a side note...I must have read too much about lucid dreaming yesterday, cause last night I had this weird dream about lucid dreaming. I was telling myself, "I wonder if lucid dreamers see themselves in third person?" My dream self must be super random. 0_o

Oh and lastly, what technique would you suggest beginners to use?

What does a lucid dream feel like? Depends on the dream I suppose. I'll get back to this in a minute. How real? Depends again, but the world HyperReal comes to mind. For me most lucid dreams exceed reality in terms of realness. Hard to understand unless you've been there. There are widely varying degrees of lucidity and control and hence "realness" if such a term can be defined. You can have lucidity and no control. You can have perfect control over some things, and none over others. It changes like the wind. Back to what does it feel like, that's really hard to quantify but I'll try. Word's I've described my lucid dreams with include: odd; frustrating; intriguing; satisfying; random; and my favorite: perfect. One important thing here is even in a fully lucid dream with full control, you might do the most random things. The intent of your waking self does not always translate to the intent of your dream self. You might intend to fly around the world, only to become lucid and decide to pull a screwdriver from behind your back. (I did something very similar to that!) It's an experience, it's hard to quantify. I have a task for you, if you don't mind. Go have yourself a lucid dream, practice, keep a dream journal, experience it for yourself. Then come back to this thread and tell me how it feels and how real it is. I think that would be really cool.

Edit: oh one more thing , for a technique, it really depends on you. A lot of beginners choose WILD, I suspect that to be because it is a "direct" approach. Something they can really take an active role in. Myself I would recommend not choosing WILD, unless you already naturally see hypnagogic imagery or experience sleep paralysis. Only because I think WILD is hard, for some it is the best choice I suppose. Look over the tutorials and choose one for yourself would be the best way. People can tell you stuff and guide you, but this is really your journey. We can open the door with information (indeed it is already open if you are here!), but you must step through.Take the reigns. If you really want a suggestion, doing lots of reality checks and positive affirmations did it for me.

*Puts on Matrix sunglasses*

Unfortunately, no one can be told what a lucid feels like. You have to feel it for yourself.

*Takes them off*

Honestly though, it varies from dream to dream. At it's peak though, it can feel just as real as real life, if not more real.

A technique I would recommend is just a plain WBTB. It's worked very well for me.

It's kinda like being awake, but... not.

Seriously, experiences vary wildly. Most of the time though, people seem to report thier vivid lucid dreams as being pretty much like being awake, with minor differences.

it feels good ...

Originally Posted by Pelephant

So recently I've been reading a lot about Lucid Dreaming on this site and the internet. I was just wondering, what exactly DOES a lucid dream feel like? How real is it? Usually in dreams, everything is a bit fuzzy and disorienting, so when you fall into a lucid dream, is it the same thing or is it more sharp and clear? Like, can you hold up your hands and actually see them and be aware that they're there?

On a side note...I must have read too much about lucid dreaming yesterday, cause last night I had this weird dream about lucid dreaming. I was telling myself, "I wonder if lucid dreamers see themselves in third person?" My dream self must be super random. 0_o

Oh and lastly, what technique would you suggest beginners to use?

1. For a biginner like yourself, it will be fuzzy unless you stabalize it.

2. Sometimes you're in 1st person, sometimes 3rd.

3. DILD

Hope that helps.

when i had a lucid dream it was exactly like real life. it was weird because i was laying in bed then i was pushed up, like my body sat up without me really controlling it, and the lighs were on(i fell asleep with them off) so i was like hmm maybe im in a dream(note i didnt think i was because everything seemed 100% real) then i raised my hand above my blanket and it started flustering really fast. then i pointed my hand towards a binder and it floated in the air and started spinning, so it was lucid, and it seemed just like real life

Well for me, right when I realize that it is a dream, I feel a rush through my dream body and everything comes into focus.

Originally Posted by -Blakren-

Well for me, right when I realize that it is a dream, I feel a rush through my dream body and everything comes into focus.

That's a good description of that part, I agree and experience the same.