My expieriences with Lucid Dreaming over 2 years
So i decided to write this because there still seems to be a lot of confusion, and wonder about lucid dreaming. I have had some cool experiences and i thought it would be fun to share them. It all really started when i read a book on lucid dreaming by Stephen LaBerge. It's a guide on how to experience lucid dreaming. After reading it and practicing i had some luck with lucid dreaming. I'd had lucid dreams before, but usually months or even years apart. While i have practiced, and i don't keep as good a log as i should, i can usually attain at least 1 LD a week, usually more. I could increase the number with practice, but at the moment it's just something fun to do every now and then.
So, the first thing i had to do was find a good way to tell i was dreaming. I'd tried some common methods, but found nothing that clearly told me i was dreaming. Then i remembered that i commonly become lucid when i'm swimming and can breathe underwater. This gave me an idea. Whenever i think i'm dreaming, i just hold my nose. If i can still breathe then i must be dreaming. If i can't then i'm awake. This has worked better for me than anything else. Sometimes if this doesn't do it, i will also look at the watch i always wear. Digital watches don't remain the same in dreams, so this is a sure sign.
When i realized i could become lucid i had to think of all kinds of things i'd like to do, but never could. I've flown like superman, high in the air, grown wings, ran like a cheetah, had sex with unattainable women, became spider-man and swung around the city, and i've also had my share of zombie killing dreams (usually these happen even if im not lucid, don't ask) I've also been able to see beloved pets that have died. I was able to talk to them, and see them alive and well. I have conversed with my subconscious and settled mental problems i was facing. I have even been able to recover memories of my childhood.
My main problem with lucid dreaming has certainly not been imagination, but emotions tend to run high and end my dreams prematurely. I have gotten better at focusing my attention, and i still have to practice. I have had many WILD's that i never even intended to have. It's amazing how often i find myself thinking im lying in bed awake, but i'm actually dreaming. I've found a wonderful, but odd way of telling if this is the case without having to open my eyes or do traditional tests. If i suspect i may be dreaming, i'll keep my eyes closed and try to roll off the bed WITHOUT using my muscles. It kind of works on the same principle as the spinning technique. If i can feel myself spinning than i know i am dreaming. I will try to wait for the dream to stabilize, then i will open my eyes.
So i have had some incredible times, and i plan to keep practicing, and getting better. It can take some time but it is certainly worth it.
