First lucid dream?

[ianc]

Hey everyone, I stumbled upon lucid dreaming a few days ago and read around a bit. I was skeptical, but thought "why not" and decided to have a go. I havent remembered having a dream for a very long time, so I wasnt expecting anything to happen really. I decided to try MILD, as it seemed the least effort. As I lay there I kept telling myself I would have a lucid dream and that I would remember it, and Lo and Behold... I might have done. You see, Im a little unclear on what actually is a lucid dream. I had several short dreams where I reminded myself that I was actually dreaming and this woke me up again. I could see and in some ways sense these dreams (the sounds, pressures, etc) but could also feel myself lying down in my bed. I think it was this realisation that woke me up again, though it could have been shock, as it was mighty wierd. I remember these dreams perfectly, as though it was something real that happened yesterday. The strangest, to me, was when I woke up and rolled over, and put my head under the covers. The way they folded looked like a small dog, when I thought this, it became a small dog (no real change to it becoming a dog, like when you see a frog then realise its actually a leaf) which leapt on me. Then I woke up again. None of the dreams lasted for more than 30 seconds or so, really just until I realised I was dreaming. Did I actually have a lucid dream, or do I have to be able to control things for it to be called lucid? Any advice on how to stop myself from waking up? Was good fun though, and I know I'll be trying again tonight. Thanks all, Ian

[alb]

That is kind of what happened to me the first time. I guess the more you do it, the better you get at it. It sounds like you had a false awakening with the dog part.

[Oneironaut Zero]

The very instant you realise "Hey, I'm dreaming!" is qualified as becoming lucid. And its very very common for that initial realisation to make you wake up. But lucid dreaming moreso has to do with what happens After you realise you're dreaming. A good way not to wake up, is to spin your dream body around. Don't try to actually spin your body, but mentally spin around as fast as you can, so all you see is a blur. Spinning around, and thinking to yourself that 'everything would be clear when you stopped, and you would still be dreaming' should be enough to make it true when you stop spinning. From then on, work on keeping your mind in the dream state. Don't WORRY about what happens if you fall out of the dreamstate, cause doing that will make it happen. Just Know you can stay in it, and focus your attention to doing so. After that...explore. Good luck.

[Matchbook]

Sounds like you have had what qualify as lucid dreams. They just didn't continue. When you go to bed, think of dreams you have had, and imagine yourself becoming lucid in them. Then start imagining new dreams in your head, and becoming lucid, and knowing it is a dream. Then hopefully you'll start questioning your dreams more often while you are in them. Once you realize you are dreaming, you can try spinning, as was mentioned, but I don't think you should do that unless you notice it is starting to fade. The first thing you should do is LOOK at your dream surroundings. Focus on what is around you, intently. Things should become sharper. Then start trying to do things, moving around. When you become too excited, you wake up. Once you master control, you can stay in a dream for what seems like hours, while knowing you are dreaming, living in a dreamworld, doing whatever you want. That's what you can look forward to. For now, focus on getting those lucid dreams, and taking control.

[ianc]

Ah, so a lucid dream is one in which you actually realise you are dreaming. Thanks for the pointers everyone, I'll give those a try. When you become too excited, you wake up. [/b] That would make sense, I was shocked and kinda scared when it first happened, because I wasnt expecting it. I had another dream but didnt realise it until I woke up, which was a shame because it was really cool (lots of laying seige to a castle with many explosions), but I do remember it perfectly. Great wealth of information here, thanks everyone, Ian

[TAISIA]

Hello, this is my first time posting in here. What a cool site. I have been LD for years and years. The first time I did it I was a child. I was watching two old men playing chess, and I thought I wonder if I can make them do a move I want. and they did. I remember being totally estatic. I began to fly around the room because I knew it was a dream and I could do anything I wanted. It is still so vivid. I have done it many times over the years and the dream spinning really helps keep them going.