Lucid "Tweens"?

[beachgirl]

Hi all, I have been getting these lucid "tweens" lately. That's what i call them. I question if they are true lucid dreams... where I am fully immersed in dream land. This is because I feel like I keep popping back to my conscious mind. But then I do something directive like spin, feel for textures, details, ask questions, etc. I get answers, go places, etc., complete with visuals. And this can go on for some time. I guess it feels strange that I am being so directive. This usually happens in context with WILDs. These are not like the full-bore lucid dreams I have had at other times. I am not sure how to categorize them. Are they lucid dreams, "practice lucid dreams", or what? It seems I have a wide range of experiences from night to night, from nothing to something to (occasionally) really elaborate. I get alot of these. A few times a week. What do others call these? Thanks, bg

[Maria92]

Hi! Sorry for the long wait. Sounds like either very detailed hypnagogic hallucinations, or lucid dreams of poor quality. I've got to ask...when you WILD, do you wake up in the middle of the night before an attempt, or do you just launch right in before bed? If you wake up first, I'm at a loss; however, if you just launch right in, it's probably because you're trying for a lucid dream when you're not in your dream period. You want to shoot for the REM periods at the later stages of sleep before WILDing. If this doesn't work for you, try a MILD. They're easier, require less work, and are just as awesome. Check out the tutorials. Good luck, and pleasant dreaming!

[beachgirl]

Thanks, Mario, I wake up early, usually around 5 or 6 am, then go back to sleep. Uusally I have a series of dreams and can remember one, two or three of them. I am not sure why occasionally I do better than this. I am guessing it has to do with random circumstances (ie how much sleep i had the night before, etc...). Who knows? I will try some MILDs. I appreciate the suggestion. Maybe I just need more practice? bg

[ninja9578]

Practice makes perfect. Sounds like hypnogogic imagery, not quite a lucid drema, but close.

[beachgirl]

Yes, thanks for the feedback, this morning, the usual thing happened, the "tween zone". Tried the nmeumonic... didn't get to a real lucid. more HI. fortunately i have a really nice time anyway as it is quite wonderful no matter what. Though it seems like ever since i started practicing ld's i've lost some of my other types of dreams which i think is weird. another type of tranisition or "tween zone" for me? I've been "practicing" as opposed to letting them just happen for about two months now. anyway i finally gave up. decided that's all that i was going to get today. went back for a finally "sleep" with no expectations. didn't go lucid but got quite a vivid and surprising dream sequence! of course... i know the difference! i feel like i am on "the verge" and really appreciated this clarification so i don't waste my time chasing HI's. i think i may have been over-eager to learn. ld's - deliberately sourced ... soon enough! thanks again, warmly, bg...

[Maria92]

Well, I wouldn't give up on HI, since in some cases it can be warped into a lucid. Hmm...when you rub your hands together, spin, etc. in your dreams, are you still thinking about your physical body, even slightly? That could definitely cause some of these "tweens." Check out this tutorial, and read the part under Dream Stabilization. Hang in there!