Thread: Confused About My Experiences

I'm new to this site, but I've been especially interested in lucid dreaming for a little over two years now (I'm a teenager). I've never lost interest in the subject, but I will admit I haven't put as much effort into becoming lucid as I should sometimes. I have, however, successfully become lucid twice, as far as I know. Both times were unintentional. The point is, I'm confused about both of my experiences, and I would appreciate some clarification if any of you are willing.

My first lucid dream happened around the January of 2011, and I don't remember having any other dreams that night besides this. It was random and brief. I was in a seemingly black, endless space, conversing with several people (maybe five or six) who I don't think I know in my waking life (I don't know what we were talking about, though). Suddenly, almost out of nowhere, I realized that I was in a dream. I was extremely excited, as I had been waiting for this moment for months. The people I was with looked at me as if they were very surprised I had found this out, and I felt like they didn't want me to realize I was dreaming. After that, I was quickly pulled up into the "sky," against my will. I saw the people getting farther and farther away from me, and then I woke up from it.

I was hoping I'd have another opportunity to become lucid after that, but it didn't happen until almost exactly a year later, last January. This time it happened to me while I was in a pretty boring dream. Again, I was talking to people about something. But this time it was in a setting I knew (outside of a family member's garage), and there were only two other people this time (also, people I knew). Out of nowhere, just like the first dream, I realized I was in a dream, and I told myself I could do anything I wanted (I don't remembered how the people responded this time). Overwhelmed with the possibilities, I couldn't think of anything to do. This is where I started being pulled up into the sky again, and I was trying to keep as calm as possible this time. I tried imagining myself somewhere else, trying to counteract myself being pulled out of the dream, so I imagined myself in the first place I could think of (somewhere in Florida). I wasn't stopping being pulled into the sky. I was in the place I imagined, but not how I had planned. I was still in the sky, but rising high above the city at this point. Then I woke up from it.

I would just dismiss these as random lucid dreams, and not ask, but the thing that intrigues me is how similar they were. I've never had any other dreams where I was pulled into the sky and woken up; only the two where I became lucid. I've tried finding other recorded occurrences such as mine, but I haven't, so I decided to finally ask others what they think of my specific experiences. I realize this is a lot to read from some new guy you don't know, but I didn't want to leave out too much critical information. I really do appreciate any input you have for me. Feel free to ask me anything else. Thank you all in advance.

Hey there Casdalb! To me, it looks like both of those were lucid dreams with not so good control. I think that the part where you were being pulled up to the sky was probably due to you getting lucid, and the dream trying to get back control from you. Since both lucids were unintentional, it may be that you weren't in the proper mindset for lucidity, so when you got lucid, your control flopped and the dream started to take over right after. But that is just my opinion, so don't rule out anything anyone else says. Anyway, congratulations on your lucids, and feel free to ask more questions or PM me if you want. Good luck and happy dreaming!

Hi paigeyemps! Thanks for the response. I guess I forgot to mention, in the days before I had that first lucid dream, I had been practicing that technique where you make "reality checks" at certain times while you're awake, in the hopes that it will transfer into the dream. I don't remember actually doing a reality check before I came lucid, but I'm guessing since it was on my mind so much, I remembered it in my dream. I have no idea why I haven't tried doing that again. I always mean to, but I end up forgetting to do the reality checks. In the second dream, I hadn't been thinking about lucid dreaming for awhile, so that really was out of nowhere. I'm wondering, since the dreams were similar, if my mind had already determined that I would become lucid while talking to the people, or maybe it was a coincidence that the second dream was similar to the first, and that's the whole reason I became lucid in the second one. I'll do some research on how to keep control if it happens again, but meanwhile, do you have any suggestions for doing so?

That's interesting. O.o
I'm definitely no expert, but I think a lot of people have problems with losing control and the dream taking back over their first few times becoming lucid. And sometimes even still after many times, I've become lucid too many times to count and I still have issues with keeping control. We just have to keep working at it. =]

Maybe you being pulled up into the sky was kind of like your subconscious saying that you're ascending to a higher level in your spiritual journey?
You might not realize it, but the fact that you were able to put yourself in the place you were thinking of, even though it wasn't in the way you imagined, shows that you have progressed a lot. I mean, to most people, just realizing that they're dreaming is a huge deal. That was only your second time becoming lucid, and you were able to manipulate the dream!

Now, as far as feeling overwhelmed with possibilities once you realized that you were dreaming and not knowing what to do, I have some advice (I know you weren't asking about that, but I figured maybe I could help). I've found that it helps for me to already know what I want to do before I go to sleep. If you decide before you fall asleep (especially if you're trying a few nights in a row) then you will more than likely remember your intention once you become lucid. Maybe try thinking about what you'd like to do in "dreamland" every night as you're laying in bed trying to fall asleep?

I have questions for you. When you were being pulled into the sky, did you have control over your body at all? And how did it feel to be pulled into the sky, was there a strong suction or did you suddenly feel so light that you just couldn't stay on the ground or what?

Thanks so much for the advice, soundsofslumber! Yeah, I was pretty impressed by myself for actually making myself go somewhere before the dream ended. lol. I'm definitely going to work on figuring out where I'll go or what I'll do for when this happens again (I'm hoping it will if I keep trying). Maybe I'll even make a list in case I get "bored" doing one thing, although it's hard to imagine getting bored in dreamland.

I have questions for you. When you were being pulled into the sky, did you have control over your body at all? And how did it feel to be pulled into the sky, was there a strong suction or did you suddenly feel so light that you just couldn't stay on the ground or what?

Well, if I'm remembering right, I think I had about the same amount of control over my body as if I was physically being lifted up by something. I didn't feel confined, like I couldn't move, it was just against my will to be going up. I think I might have even been flailing my arms and legs around a bit. I would describe it as more of a suction feeling than a floating feeling.

Hmm I would definitely suggest doing more reality checks during the day. Also try to practice awareness, and just really notice yourself and your environment in waking life, like the details, etc. It's awareness that gets you lucid in the first place, and the reality checks help you back it up. There are also many instances where people get lucid spontaneously (which seems to be what happened to you) whether by random chance, or just getting that "feeling". That's not a bad thing though, so don't worry about it! In my opinion, that's even better when you get lucid spontaneously, since that could mean you are aware enough to notice that it is a dream without much external stimulus. Lastly, have you checked out some stabilization tutorials? It is important to stabilize once you are lucid, so you can have better control and focus in the dream, and to keep it from falling apart. Here is one of the many tutorials which I think explains it excellently: http://www.dreamviews.com/f12/ninas-...7/#post1696311

Have fun! And don't hesitate to ask questions or PM me if you wish

I guess if there was suction then it might be kind of hard to fly, but maybe you could try that next time if it were to happen again?
Or have you heard of dream spinning (method to change your dream scenery)? Maybe you could take that concept and alter it a little if you have control over your body. Try something like spinning/flipping while thinking that you will be in water instead of the air. And then when you stop spinning, if you find that you actually are in water, you could come up out of the water to see where you are, or try to decide where you want to be when you come up from the water, or even just explore the underwater world. =D
Possibilities are endless. Dreamland is amazing.

Hmm I would definitely suggest doing more reality checks during the day. Also try to practice awareness, and just really notice yourself and your environment in waking life, like the details, etc. It's awareness that gets you lucid in the first place, and the reality checks help you back it up. There are also many instances where people get lucid spontaneously (which seems to be what happened to you) whether by random chance, or just getting that "feeling". That's not a bad thing though, so don't worry about it! In my opinion, that's even better when you get lucid spontaneously, since that could mean you are aware enough to notice that it is a dream without much external stimulus. Lastly, have you checked out some stabilization tutorials? It is important to stabilize once you are lucid, so you can have better control and focus in the dream, and to keep it from falling apart. Here is one of the many tutorials which I think explains it excellently: Nina's Stabilization & Clarity TUTORIAL

I've been trying my best to do more reality checks. I have noticed though, that in some of my dreams, I'll think to myself "I'm dreaming," or just know in the back of my mind that I'm dreaming. But nothing changes in the dream, and I don't become lucid. I had a dream that really emphasized this occurrence awhile ago. In it, I knew I could do anything, and whenever I started to get worried about anything, I'd shrug it off, and remind myself that I was dreaming. But it was my DREAM self telling myself that I was dreaming. Not my actual conscious. I don't know why I don't become lucid when these things happen, but I'll just have to keep working on it. I'll definitely check that stabilization stuff out. Thanks for the tip!

I guess if there was suction then it might be kind of hard to fly, but maybe you could try that next time if it were to happen again?
Or have you heard of dream spinning (method to change your dream scenery)? Maybe you could take that concept and alter it a little if you have control over your body. Try something like spinning/flipping while thinking that you will be in water instead of the air. And then when you stop spinning, if you find that you actually are in water, you could come up out of the water to see where you are, or try to decide where you want to be when you come up from the water, or even just explore the underwater world. =D
Possibilities are endless. Dreamland is amazing.

Wow, I never thought about thinking about doing something besides being pulled out of the dream. I only thought about changing the place I was, which obviously didn't help me from being sucked out of the dream. If it happens again, I'll try the spinning and imagining myself underwater that you mentioned. It seems like it would work to keep me in the dream, so it's worth a try. Great idea!

I'll notify you guys if I am able to successfully have another lucid dream. You're really helping me out.

So glad I could help. =D Good luck! Message me anytime. Like I said, I'm no expert, but if you ever want ideas or opinions I would gladly give my perspective.