Are dream signs inescapable...?

[TheBermuda]

My dream sign is the inability to run. I feel like I'm wading through neck-deep water, or something is tugging at me with a magnetic force. This usually happens at a time in my dream when it is vital that I be running, such as if a madman is chasing me with a machete or something. The only thing is, I despise my dream sign. I've experienced this ever since I was a little girl. One time as a child, when I was awake, I had to wade through water and the sensation reminded me of my dream sign (although at the time I didn't know about dream signs), and I remembered the feeling of being chased and being helpless to run. As soon as I hit land, I began sobbing. I have never tried lucid dreaming, or reality checks during my dreams (although I plan to very soon, I'm just learning about this stuff), but I was wondering if my dream sign is inevitable? If I do a successful reality check, can I overcome my dream sign and actually begin to run normally?

[DreamVortex]

Welcome to the forum! Yes, i guess if you do realise your dreaming using reality checks then you'd probably be able to run faster or even fight against whatever is chasing you. my lucid powers were pretty good when i had my first lucid dream so it might be the same with you. just try and stay calm and focus.

[Graech]

I had the exact same problem, though it occurred for me most notably right after I became lucid. I couldn't do anything, the world would become blurry, and then gradually I would lose lucidity (when I'm lucid) or wake up (when I'm not lucid). The first thing that you have to do to combat this is to become lucid. That's the easiest part to explain. The next part will seem very stupid to you, and will seem totally pointless until you actually manage to do it: just walk. The best way I can describe it is that you are not walking, you are just thinking about walking or forcing yourself to walk. You don't have to think about it or force yourself to walk, all you have to do is move your legs. It's sort of akin to the difference between normal dreaming and lucid dreaming (which, coincidentally, you won't know quite yet). Until you actually walk, you won't realize that you weren't walking. Just like until you become lucid, you won't realize that you are just dreaming. I hope my reply wasn't too ambiguous.

[TheBermuda]

Thanks so much! It's sounds so strange, someone telling me to keep focused while I'm sleeping. I'll get used to it.

[TheBermuda]

No, that wasn't ambiguous at all. I've had many lucid dreams before, so I think I have a good idea of what you're talking about. My lucid dreams are what originally brought me to this forum. I have them usually when I am feeling my most creative, or if I'm looking desperately for inspiration to a story (I am a writer). Thanks!

[Snowy Egypt]

to DV. I would sometimes have that running problem too. It was so frustrating! As for your question, the answer is yes. Anyone can overcome anything in an LD. It just takes practice.

[Mr Zen]

Yes, I hate it too when I'm running with everything I've got but still move so friggin slowly, and whoever's after me always gets me, though I would somehow end up unharmed almost all the time. The only time I was able to run real fast, I woke up shortly after.

[seeker28]

Like Snowy Egypt said it is very possible to overcome this in a lucid dream! I used to have this problem, too. But one night I was trying to run for all I was worth from something and suddenly I realized that since I was dreaming I wasn't running at all. Sort of like that Matrix thing -- how do you bend a spoon with your mind? Don't try to bend it, because that is impossible. Simply realize the truth -- that there is no spoon.

[Graech]

Like Snowy Egypt said it is very possible to overcome this in a lucid dream! I used to have this problem, too. But one night I was trying to run for all I was worth from something and suddenly I realized that since I was dreaming I wasn't running at all. Sort of like that Matrix thing -- how do you bend a spoon with your mind? Don't try to bend it, because that is impossible. Simply realize the truth -- that there is no spoon. !!! For the first time after watching that movie, I finally can make sense of that!!! I never connected it entirely before!!!

[seeker28]

Awesome that you get it! Really that advice is perfect for everything when it comes to lucid dreaming.