[HealingTimes]

I know it probably sounds like an odd question, but I am wondering if it is possible to dream about whatever you want.
Like, when you are lying in bed, and want to dream about a particular person or particular event.
Is that even possible?

[beauflow]

Lucid dream - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't know much about lucid dreaming, it something my brother used to talk to me about trying every onces in a while. My S/O too has spoke of this.

A lucid dream is any dream in which one is aware that one is dreaming.

In a lucid dream, the dreamer can exert some degree of control over their participation within the dream or be able to manipulate their imaginary experiences in the dream environment

[HealingTimes]

Thanks beauflow, i am going to look into it a bit more as I love the idea of being able to dream about what i want!

Is anyone here able to lucid dream?

[Thunder Bow]

Dreams are mostly influenced by daily experiences and emotions. You can't make up a story like you do when you day dream.

[k12573n]

It is totally possible to control what's happening in your dreams but it isn't accessible to everyone, I don't think, sadly. I have had a lucid dream ONCE but haven't been able to recreate the circumstances that spurred it on. I've heard that sleeping outdoors helps for some reason, checking the time on a clock regularly throughout the day, making a habit out of checking that you are awake and being aware of being awake throughout your day. I don't know how effective these things are, just ideas I've heard to help encourage lucid dreaming. Just read up on it and think about it often, that might help.

[carmely316]

I'm a lucid dreamer. Almost 85% of the time, I can control my dreams. When they become too frightening, I imagine something to help me out. It's possible but I've read that most people who do it out of habit have learned it over a long period of time. I know I did when I was forced to sleep in the dark at a young age when there are always monsters lurking in closets and under beds.

[googoo]

Originally Posted by HealingTimes

I know it probably sounds like an odd question, but I am wondering if it is possible to dream about whatever you want.
Like, when you are lying in bed, and want to dream about a particular person or particular event.
Is that even possible?

Yes it certainly is possible,@ least 4 me anyways.All I have 2 do is think about whatever it is I'd like 2 dream about b4 going 2 sleep & I can dream about it or something thats kind of related 2 it.Although I can do this it doesnt always work but if I'm lucky & dwell on it long enuf b4 going 2 sleep it is quite possible.

[Perna]

I play with that sometimes; before sleeping think about an item very specific and tell yourself you'd like to see it in a dream and then be on the "lookout" for it

But dreams come from one's unconscious so I believe it is better to be more interested in what they have to tell me then in what I can tell them; directing too much would be, to me, like working for someone else on your days off instead of getting good rest and letting the rest revive one. Being interested in my unconscious though and accepting of it and trying to work out what I am telling myself; that has led to my dreams being more friendly and helpful to me.

[boredporcupine]

I am one of those people who regularly (though not usually) has lucid dreams. There are many ways of learning to lucid dream and inducing lucid dreams. At first I used some of the techniques, but now I don't make any effort and I still have a lucid dream every few weeks or so. Some people are really into lucid dreaming for the purpose of dream control, but I'm not as interested in that, partly because dream control is really hard to do perfectly, but more importantly because like others have said, I am more interested in listening to my dreams than in controlling them.

Having said that, if you are a very adept lucid dreamer, you can take dream interpretation to another level because you can actually ASK the characters in your dreams what they are doing there and what they symbolize.

[happiedasiy]

]I am no expert but do have a lot of experiences with lucid dreaming.
And I agree with beauflow, these are the definition of a lucid dreamer.
I can not wish for a certain dream and fall asleep into dreamland.
When in a dream state there are always signs to tell you, this is a dream.

For example if you are dreaming that you are in France and you know you have never been been there, you should recognize you are dreaming.

For me i have a recurring dream that I am on a cruise and I have never been on a cruise so I am aware of the dream then there comes a time where a crew member comes to me and says "we are leaving, are you ready to go"? I want to stay but I know its not my time, and I dive into the ocean. (the other clues are I can't swim and would never dive for fear of heights).

In the beginning it takes a lot of practice of awareness and self control. To be non reactive and watching what comes to me how I am acting out in the dream and the emotional states involved.
This is my subconscious at work.
Happiedasiy

[serloco]

I see lucid dreaming as having an almost super-consciousness. There is just so much one can do in their dreams. I spend a lot of time flying in mine. I even have had entire lives I live only in dreaming.

The more attention you give your dreaming the more it becomes. Before I started getting lucid I practiced simply remembering them. Every morning I would record them and remember the details of them. This built a dreaming awareness and memory, and brought on the awareness that i was dreaming.

A good preactice is simply to set your alarm and a pad of paper beside it. Record them before you forget them.

[Demeanor]

Steps to Improving Lucid Dreaming

1. First and foremost, you need to be able to recall your dreams and make a habit of journaling your dreams. In doing so, you familiarize yourself with your dream style, mood, and quality. Eventually, you learn to recognize that you are dreaming.

2. Throughout the day, while you are awake, ask yourself, "Is this a dream?" anytime something odd happens or even when nothing out of the ordinary happens. The trick is not to answer the question with an immediate "Of course I am not dreaming!". Come up with a consistent way to check if you are awake or asleep. For example, checking the time on a clock and then quickly check it again. If you are dreaming, the time will always dramatically change at

the second glance. Or, if you are reading something, look away and then read it again. Again, if you dreaming, whatever you are reading will be completely different when you look at it the second time. As you keep asking yourself this question during the day, the question will become second nature. Eventually, you will automatically ask the question in your dreams. When you do your check to see if you are awake or asleep, you are well on your way to lucidity.

3. Utilize a counting method to enter lucidity. As you are laying down to go to sleep, start counting. One, I am dreaming. Two, I am dreaming. Three, I am dreaming. At some point, you will say, fifty-one, I am dreaming, and by then you are really dreaming.

4. Identify your dream signals. These are objects, images or actions in your dream that serve as cues or markers to let you know that you are dreaming. Anything can be a dream signal and is unique to each individual dreamer. It may help to read through your dream journal and select an image that constantly appears in your dreams. By selecting a recurring image, then it has a better chance of appearing in your future dreams. When you are ready for bed, tell yourself that "when I see an apple, then I know I am dreaming." or whatever dream signal you have chosen.

5. Use your dream signs to let you know that you are dreaming. When an anomaly or something impossible occurs in your dream, do not ignore it or try to rationalize it. Let this odd occurrence be an indicator that you are dreaming. Some common dream signs include flying, walking through walls or the appearance of someone who is dead in real life.

6. Finally, encourage your lucid dreams, but do not force them, as your efforts may have an opposite effect. You may use the above techniques in conjunction with one another. Tell yourself that you will have a lucid dream tonight. It is important to relax and be patient.