Thread: I know barely anything...help??

So. I've read the basics on LD. Like MILD, WILD, WBTB. I actually tried the WBTB and it didn't work...
So I started a dream journal, and I've kind of been ignoring it () but when it's there I almost always remember at least a fragment. My problem is that I almost never see things through my eyes in a dream. It's usually me watching me doing stuff.
Also, my dreams are dark a lot, with flashing brightness.
And I don't have any recurring things in my dreams, and I don't see clocks or my hands or anything so I can't do a reality check.
I was just wondering, how can I do it?? I usually get so caught up in the dream that I don't remember that I'm in it until the morning.
Can I try another technique? Because I always find my mind wandering when I'm MILDing. I think I have a short attention span...

Thanks sooo much in advance.

Welcome to dreamviews!

Do you play a lot of videogames? I experience this when I used to play a lot of stuff, so I was dreaming in the third person.

First off for WBTB set your alarm for about 6 hours after you sleep. Then, an optional choice, is to set it for an hour each hour afterward. This will increase lucid chances and improve recall. I bet you'll find reoccurring themes in dreams, even if it's something as disconnected as being in locations with no relation to real life and, as you mentioned, being an observer instead of the first person view. If you absolutely cannot consolidate specifics, than do a RC every hour on the hour. These are very important for dream induced lucid dreams.

I'm willing to bet as your recall increases and you get deeper into the lucid field, things will start opening up to you. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

- GA

I'm really not much of a videogame player, no.
Thanks for your help on WBTB.
I looked through my journal and noticed water. Like, my house was flooded. And I went to swim practice a lot. Also, my friend had a pool at her house. Could that be a recurring theme? Because I spend a lot of time around water in real life, so it wouldn't be a very good indicator of dreaming.

Well one of my dream signs is being with friends...thats a horrible one! lol So ya water can be one pretty much anything

Originally Posted by kcat220

I'm really not much of a videogame player, no.
Thanks for your help on WBTB.
I looked through my journal and noticed water. Like, my house was flooded. And I went to swim practice a lot. Also, my friend had a pool at her house. Could that be a recurring theme? Because I spend a lot of time around water in real life, so it wouldn't be a very good indicator of dreaming.

It is. Resolve to do a reality check everytime you see water. You can make a list of whatever else you see is a dream link and do likewise. Whenever I do a RC I do the following: Hold my nose to see if I can breath through it, read something, look away and read it again, jump to see if I stay in the air any longer than usual, and critically ask if I know where I am and if this is exactly like the reality as I know it.

As for the specific lucid dreaming techniques. Give it some time. Lucid dreaming is a "skill" for us non-naturals, and it must be taken one step at a time. It may take many attempts, but you'll get it.

Thank you!!
I have another question-- do I have to be totally focused when I fall asleep? Because I can't sleep if I'm focused. I mostly have to let my mind wander.
And can eating/drinking before you sleep make a difference? I noticed a long time ago that if I drink something while in bed reading and then go right to bed I remember dreams, even without a journal. Is that just a coincidence?

Originally Posted by kcat220

Thank you!!
I have another question-- do I have to be totally focused when I fall asleep? Because I can't sleep if I'm focused. I mostly have to let my mind wander.
And can eating/drinking before you sleep make a difference? I noticed a long time ago that if I drink something while in bed reading and then go right to bed I remember dreams, even without a journal. Is that just a coincidence?

On MILD you repeat the last two steps for a good time, but when you think the intention is set, relax and go to sleep. Even though technically you're not supposed to think about anything else, if this keeps you awake I would say just let your mind wonder its marry way and forget about it. I can't keep thinking "I will have a lucid dream" and picture myself in a dream every time I think about something else either. Being able to go to sleep is more important than the technicalities.

On the other hand MILD is more effective without much else thought. That is another reason it is performed after a WBTB. When you get up after 6 hours of sleep, you should be able to go to sleep with relative ease. Again, though, prioritize ease of sleep over doing the method 100% perfect. Stress is a lucid killer, so if you obsess over it and lose sleep it is not good.

I hear things about cheese, B6 vitamins, tea, so forth. Unfortunately I am uneducated on this aspect. However dreamviews is a treasure chest of information. Look around and you'll find your answer about the effects of eating/drinking this and that.

- GA