[Artchic528]

I don't know if this belongs here, or the Dream Interpretation forum, so I'll just put it here.

I've had some pretty horrific nightmares in the past, about aliens invading my home and surrounding me, whispering in their clicks, that pass for language, all the while I am immobilized with fear or something. I've even posted about it in the Dream Interpretation forum a few months ago. I've wanted to overcome this debilitating dream, which very well might be sleep paralysis, the more I think about it.

So, to combat these horrific dreams, I've decided to write down what I've dreamt, so I can somehow learn to dream lucidly and better control and understand my inner psyche. Now, I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I believe that dreams are very powerful, and whilst dreaming, we can even tap into a stream of consciousness that we could normally not access in our waking lives. This stream of consciousness might be the ticket to learning about our past, and even perhaps the future. Maybe, if I'm lucky enough, I can see what the future holds for me.

So to begin my journey, I've begun to write down what I've dreamt, as soon as I wake up, if I can recollect what I've dreamt that is. Some of my dreams are more vivid, and memorable than others, some just dissolve from my mind the very moment I wake up. I hope writing down my dreams into a dream journal will help me to subconsciously hold onto the more elusive to recall dreams as I wake. Maybe I'll eventually come to be able to control my dream environment and conquer my biggest fear, the aliens who surround me.

My dream journal is a simple red journal with white stitching details and a chrome colored lock with a matching chrome colored key on a red ribbon. I bought it from Barnes and Noble years ago, and finally decided to put it to use.

What do you think of dreaming, and keeping a dream journal?

[Skeezyks]

Hi Artchic528: The Skeezyks thinks this is a great idea! And possibly a great adventure too! I know there are books on the market regarding lucid dreaming. I've never read them. I always think dreams are really interesting... Please share some of what you learn!

[BrazenApogee]

I learned lucid dreaming from the T I had in High School. I was self harming at the time and had horrible nightmares. It really helped.

Keeping a dream journal is excellent. Make sure it is right next to your bed with a good writing implement. Easy access when you first wake up is key. Don't worry about spelling or penmanship. Expect most of the entries to be shaky writing, that's ok. In fact, when you go back the odd words and style of writing can have great meaning.

The key to lucid dreaming is to put an image in your mind that doesn't happen in real life, such as a purple bunny. Every time you go to bed tell yourself "If I see the purple bunny (or whatever image you choose) I will know I am dreaming." After a while of doing this you will have a dream with the image in it. When you see it in the dream you will know you are dreaming and can start to change things. You will be in lucid dreaming state.

I have had many lucid dreams. To stop my nightmares when I was younger I would fight back, or just change things altogether to something nice. For instance there is one that I remember that I was being chased on a beach by someone. I realized I was dreaming and turned around on the chaser. I created a box in one hand and a fire extinguisher in the other and just started beating the chaser on the head.

Another I had recently, I just realized I was dreaming when I got really scared and screamed myself deliberately awake. Then I watched a movie to make my self feel better.

It doesn't always work perfectly, but it works. Good Luck