empbac

I've been reading this site for about two weeks and trying to lucid dream. A few days ago I succeeded in remembering to perform a reality check (pinched my nose and breathed), but awoke before I had a chance to try to stabilize. While technically lucid, it lasted only a second, so I'm not counting it.

I just woke up from a somewhat longer lucid dream and jumped out of bed, eager to write it about it. This was using WBTB method early in the morning, and I hadn't even expected it to happen -- it was a pleasant surprise. I probably should have gotten up for the day when my alarm went off the first time but decided to add another hour and take another nap... glad I did! Within that hour I had a very cool LD.

I remembered to RC this time as well, first by holding my nose, and then by putting my finger through the palm of my hand. I wasn't sure I was really dreaming most of the time and thought I was aware of my body back in my bed, though now I realize I was only imagining I was aware of it; I thought I was sleeping on the top bunk that I had back when I was young. At one point in the dream I took off, flying through the air, and could have sworn I was wrapping my real arms around my real bed to keep from flying off of it, except that I was actually sleeping on a futon, not a bunk bed as I had imagined. I also could have sworn I had real headphones on because I could clearly and loudly hear Radiohead coming out of them. I thought that was real too, but when I woke up later I realized I had only imagined it. Music is very clear and distinct to me close to dreaming. I don't need to listen at all, just imagine it, and it's perfect.

I had trouble controlling the dream. I tried the spinning technique to stabilize it but had a hard time visualizing a scene around me. I think I couldn't decide what scene I wanted. When I eventually woke up it was because I was failing to stabilize. Inside the dream it was a bit cartoonish. I saw an elephant at one point chasing a mouse down a hole and then popping up a different hole, etc, something like it was from Alice in Wonderland or Dr Seuss. I wanted to imagine life-like people, but couldn't. I distinctly remember saying to myself, "well, I'm lucid dreaming, so what now?" which is when I decided to see if I could fly. Immediately I was soaring through the air, twisting all around, feeling the Gs, and then dove low over an ocean. The ocean sparkled with sunlight as if it were real. Soon I was in a never-ending wave -- I'm not a surfer, so this was a little strange for me. Soon it was back to the cartoon-landscape.

I think there was more, but I've already forgotten. I haven't felt this invigorated in a long time. This makes me want to go right back to sleep, but I know I'm too excited and it won't work. Tonight I'll have another go.