Lucidity, or Something Else?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unignorant

Hey everyone,

I've been lurking around this forum for a while, and I think that last night I had my first lucid dream.

But I am wondering if I only had a dream in which I dreamt that I was lucid, rather than actually attaining consciousness in a dream. I know it's a rather shady distinction. So I thought that I'd ask for some input.

Anyway, here is what (vaguely) happened:

A friend and I were running from some security guards in a mall. It's one of those multi-story malls with an empty center column, so one can see the shops on each level. It happens that I push one of the mall-cops over the edge of the handrail, so naturally, he falls down a few storys.

I wonder, "Did I just kill someone?'' But then I think, "no, this is just a dream."

So at this point, I think in the dream, "Oh, I'm lucid dreaming. I'll try to fly." And I do -- although it seems more like hovering, as there is no sensation of wind or air or acceleration. I look back to my friend and shout "Hey get over here." Then I slowly (and against my will) wake up.

The whole process took perhaps fifteen seconds. The thing is, I feel that I would have been more sensible, were I fully conscious. For instance, it would have been far more rational to stabilize the dream, rather than taking the singleminded act of leaping up and flying/hovering. I am typically a cool-headed person.

So any thoughts? A legitimate lucid dream, or not?

I say yes, it is a lucid. Reason being you changed the direction the dream was going with your revelation. So congrats!

First off, know that whether or not a dream is lucid has nothing to do with the level of control or stability, what have you.

As far as your lack of rational thought, well, MOST people get really excited upon realizing that they are lucid. So, you know, not thinking things through or forgetting to stabilize doesn't mean that you weren't lucid.

I have a theory. There are two modes of thought. Aware and awake, then there is passive and sleeping. More simply put, in the first mind-set you control your thoughts and actions. With the second, you are just going with the flow.

Now, just because you are going with the flow doesn't mean you aren't feeling emotions. Just- you aren't making decisions. Ever felt like your dreams are scripted? That you act uncharacteristically a lot in them?Yeah, that's what I mean.

So the goal of lucid dreaming would then be to break the second mind-set in favor of the first one, (without waking up of course.) Not taking control of the dream, per say, but taking control of your thoughts. Savvy?

Just my opinion form my experience of course, but if you like the sound of it than next time you are curious about your level of lucidity- maybe think about whether or not you were thinking and making decisions or just going with the flow.

Anyways, welcome! And I hope I helped.