Lucid Dreaming

I'm going to venture a little beyond my normal blog parameters and share with you something personal. It is called 'lucid dreaming.' Actually, before I StumbledUpon it earlier this evening, I never knew anyone else experienced this, so I'm a bit excited. Yes, I thought it was just something that made me more bizarre than previously thought.

Lucid dreaming is being aware that you are dreaming while you are dreaming. It is something I started doing 4 - 6 years ago. (That's my best estimate, at least.) For me it began during my nightmares; I began to be aware that they were just dreams and eventually I learned to waken myself from them.

Over the years I've gained control over the settings, characters, and context of my dreams. Sure, I still experience a nightmare I can't control and don't realize is a dream. Luckily, though, they are few and far between. When they do happen, however, the reality of them will often shake me through the morning or even the day.

If you'd like to read more about lucid dreaming, I recommend you begin with LucidBlog and Answers.com. Many sources referenced believe this is something you can teach yourself to do. Honestly, I encourage you to try. We spend 1/4 to 1/3 of our lives asleep - why not make it your own playground?