How to tell if you're lucid dreaming or...

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Scenic
@Scenic
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Comments: 273 · Posts: 5457 · Topics: 33
just dreaming about lucid dreaming? I've had a few dreams before where I was "lucid dreaming", but I'm pretty sure that it was me dreaming about it and not actually doing it. Last night I had another dream like this where I even said "Oh, I'm dreaming!" then I got a certain feeling and said "So this is what lucid dreaming feels like!". I tried to change things in my dream to prove I was in control and they did. There was a person sitting there with me and I wanted to make him do something, too, but my memory fades out there. I'm thinking this is just another one of those fake lucid dreams but it still begs the question, how do you know for sure you're lucid dreaming? What are some things you experience that make you certain of this? Also, as another question, for those that lucid dream, how long are you actually doing it or in control of your dream? Until you wake up or can you lose control at any point? If you don't have personal experience with these things I'd still appreciate any input you have on these questions.
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lildol
@lildol
16 Years5,000+ Posts

Comments: 334 · Posts: 8771 · Topics: 323
Lucidity is basically the conscious awareness that you are in indeed asleep and in a dream - most nights I lucid dream. If something wakes me (e.g., dog wanting under the covers), I'm also able to re-enter my dream and pick up where I left off even if I was not initially in a lucid state. Dream control is not necessarily part of being in a lucid state and can manifest itself in various ways. I consciously think my actions through when in a lucid state as I would while awake, but do not try to manipulate my surroundings. I have also experienced the whole dreaming in a dream - although I did not realize I was dreaming (in my dream) until I woke from my in-dream dream at which point I became lucid and was consciously aware that I had been dreaming in my dream, if that makes sense.