Hello. Ive been going through a few major life decisions, and I remember reading somewhere on the internet that lucid dreaming could help me. Could help me figure out what I want to do.

I once had a LD when I was about 10 or 16 years old. It went something like this:

I was running from someone, who looks like he was some sorta soldier. Running, so terrified of him! Well, I was running through the place I used to live in when I was 6. Anyway, as I ran I noticed that there was nobody out on the streets, no cars, no nothing. I suddnely realized that this was all a dream. I was thinking that it was highly unlikely that there was NOBODY, NOTHING outside other than me and that soldier. The fear seemed to just disappear, as I turned to face the running man. He ran up to me, and grabbed my arm. After about five minutes of walking with him, we encountered a door. He opened it and threw me through the door. I suddenly began flying, and I felt so happy! So free! Suddenly, I felt as if someone was pulling me backward. I tried thinking it away, but it didnt help. I kept thinking, thinking that if this were a dream i could make it go away! I wasnt able to move any part of my body, as everything blurred away...I remember waking up, thinking that i had never felt such joy in my life.

I also had another one when I was seven. I dreamt that I was in a palace, as my dad came in. I was on a very high chair, and was very tall. Now, at the time, I was extremly mad at my dad for taking away my toys (dont ask). I remember sending him into the prison. The gaurds took him away, and I looked out the window. I remember seeing the moon, and then realizing I was dreaming. Well, i wasnt able to hold the dream long enough as I began getting very excited. I remember eveyrthing fading away, and then waking up.

Well, the following night, I dreamt that I was in a large spaceship, with aliens everywhere! They didnt seem to notice me, though. I was running around the ship, screaming to go to my house, when I looked at earth. I began crying, but then the moon came into my view. I suddenly realized i was in a dream (again). But, I got too excited and woke up.

Dont know if that helps. Anyway, ever since then, ive tried to have another lucid dream. I'm having trouble remembering the dream. Every night, I say to myself that when I see my hands in my dream, I will know that I am dreaming. And then, when I get into bed, i say "i will have a lucid dream". I usually dont remember the dream, and when I do I remember being able to tell that it wasnt right, but not quite getting at the "its a dream." part. I wasnt completly lucid. I can never get to the lucid part now! I need help remembering the dream and then getting into the lucid state. What do I do? Do I clear my mind before I go to sleep, do i sleep in a certain spot or position, or while listening to music? What do I do?

Rushing in and saying "tonight I will have a lucid dream" right off the bat can be discouraging and thus counter-productive. Work on your dream recall first, get to know your dreams before you go for the gold. Keeping a dream journal would be the number one recomendation for increasing dream recall.

Once your recall is good choose one of the many LD induction techniques out there and stick with it. LDs rarely come right away. If you honestly feel a method is not working for you (after some real effort) then try another. Here's a couple of sites that will give you an idea what your plan should be:

http://members.aol.com/Aarenka/vision.html

http://www.consciousdreaming.com/lucid-dreaming/how-to-lucid-dream.htm

Good Luck.

Later -------------- CloudHelmut