I find it to be very rare as well, although I responded to my own prompt to do it not too long ago. But, I don't really know if I was "imagining" that I was lucid in my dream -- at least that time, there was nothing to compare with it.

For you, it seems that you were awake enough to notice that something was different. That's what I was doing in my last dream, except that I wasn't anywhere that I actually recognized/remembered when I woke up. I just "knew" in my dream that nothing was real in it, at least, that's what I was pointing out to someone, item by item.

I think you can prompt yourself to do it again. Or to stop doing it. It's your mind, after all. I think it will listen to you.

Although it is rare, I would compare the feeling, in a dream, of being awake, to that of deja vu. It is a moment of disorientation within the dream, when you realize that you are aware, more aware than usual, where you are.

I find it interesting that my focus the few times I remember experiencing this, was on the physical objects around me, the room, etc. It felt like suddenly putting on a pair of glasses within the dream. Like, oh, wow, I'm actually seeing, and this is actually me, and I actually "know" I am here rather than just doing whatever I did before.

There are guides out there, for sure. Companions who can join us there. It must be fun to meet up with people lucidly "out" there.

love, blink

The feeling of deja vu is a good one to describe part of the feelings. Deja vu, oh yes I can be concious in this psarticular way. Deja vu on the other side.

When, the next day, I looked at the stairs and noticed them, and realized they were cluttered again, there was a moment when I thought they had been cleared off in C1.There was a moment of not knowing what was "real."I didn't recall the dream as a dream, either. There was some different quality about that experience. I just call it a dream because that is the only way to talk about it.

I don't feel that I am on the verge of some breakthrough. Things like this have happened from time to time for ...decades! But each is an isolated incident. What has been interesting is finding comments by others that indicate they have odd experiences too. For the longest time this sort of thing happened in isolation.

Maybe I would have to devote great time and energy to this in order to get a grip on it. I think I hhave often failed to realize how much work is involved in some of this stuff. I want it to be eqsy the way school was when I was a kid. If I had developed great power to focus, maybe it would be. I have certainly underestimated the work involved in developing focus. Maybe that is part fo the hhuman problem. Maybe that is why people developed different sacrificial rituals, to enhance focus.I feel stupid that I have to raise energy to pray well. Surely I am missing something? (Sorry I am combining some thoughts I have played with over a period of time, and not doing a complete job).

It would be fun to go lucid and then think of meeting up with folks from the board. I wonder what would happen? (I have this comment in mind, that it would be like being Max Headroom..I would think "I want to meet with the people from the board" and then I would suddenly be stuck in the electronics of the board trying to meet you all! Asking, how did I get here?)

I came across an article yesterday that talks baout dealing with nightmars. On the one hand, it was interesting to see this as though it is being accepted into the mainstream. On the other hand, it was discouraging to see a modern person taking credit for a techniques that has been around for ...generations! depending on the culture. I am trying to think more clearly about using these techniques (practice during the day) even though I have no way to go back to the state on purpose at night.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Story?id=4954892&page=1

The other factor...I just thought of this while reading on the retrievals page...was that the night this happened, I had been somewhat focused on an unfolding news story in the region. Two subway trains crashed and one person ended up dying, but for about 4 hours as they tried to cut her out of the train before she died, there was all this sense of urgency and helplessness. And then the sadness when they announced it was a recovery mission rather than a resue mission.  Intense emotion and intense focus. Do others notice a correlation betweem that sort of thing and any unusual dream life experiences ?

Can we vote on it, Lucy? 

I vote for the more natural choice of sleeping to get your rest, then wake up and set your intent, then go back to sleep. Your body will be refreshed by the first sleep, allowing your mind to be alert for and enjoy the second phase that takes you into spirit.

It would be easy to disagree with you that you are not on the verge of some breakthrough,
so I do.     It sounds like you put up defences against most of the hints you get, so your Higher Self waits awhile, then tries again. You won't be sorry when you let it happen, Lucy.

Have you got some of Bruce's books around?  His manner of explaining things is so calm and reassuring.  Maybe it's time to read those again.

Each path to spirit is based upon one's own soul, so I can't match your experiences to what has happened to me. But that doesn't matter. Say that you are ready (set your intent), and at the next opportune time (when you are rested, etc) you'll be on your way!

Bets

When the mind is at a calm, somewhat electric energized state, start telling yourself to realize that you are dreaming- throughout the day. If you do this as a habit and you are alert enough, your mind is clear, and you have your priorities aligned then more frequently you will have lucid dreams. Here are some coincidences to my dreams and lucid encounters: connected deeply with crystals and gems, soaked crystals and gems in rose&salt-water to cleanse and left them in a bowl and for 12 hours they actively awakened my subconcious mind and increased mental comfort, perceptions, almost an angelic presence was there.  Then stimulants and relaxation- natural stimulants- went swimming, had organic white tea which is probably good for dream recall
and also as the effects of caffeine wear off my dream recall increases which would be- a change in mental stimulus, change in your surroundings, change in your attitude- can trigger dream changes. So any gradual change might not be as profound as the sudden epiphany that would bring you a symbolic dream-filled night.
Self-awareness. MANTRAS! And meditation...I have finally begun to start meditating, it's difficult and not entirely successful- but the calm is rewarding. I basically lay down on my couch and repeat phrases to myself. I haven't established any really good mantras yet, but I have meditated and that night have had very lucid dreams.
Hope this helps!

Could you be hypnotized to be 'aware' that you are dreaming?

Same for Astral Travel?

At least counld you be hypnotized to 'remember' your dreams and astral travel?

Hey Lucy-----
Funny you should bring all this up.  About three mornings ago, I went to sleep on the recliner as I often do when I toss and turn in bed and can't sleep there.  I heard my boarder get up and walk into the kitchen and start my dishwasher.  As I was awaking, I said to myself, "There aren't enough dishes in there and he just throws his bowl on the top rack".  So, I got up from the recliner and walked from the living room into the kitchen.  To my left where my small china cabinet is, I saw an old corrupted refrigerator with no door.  I kept staring at it and wondered where it came from.  Everything else in my kitchen was in place.  I realized that I was "dreaming" and looked at the dishwasher, turned around and went back to my recliner.  Then, I fell back to sleep and the loop started again, only this time I decided to shut the dishwasher off!  I still realized I was dreaming, but wanted to break the cycle.  After shutting the dishwasher off, I looked out the window toward my back yard, and the scenery suddenly had changed. Now I had a long porch that was from one end of the house to the other end, in the back yard, and my grand daughter's astral decided to join me.  I was delighted and continued the dream with her. My back yard, which is actually flat, now arranged itself with a huge sloping, rolling green hill with an assortment of back yard animals all playing.  Sara and I started naming the animals (she is only 3 years old) and we giggled as we named them.  Suddenly I saw a Yeiti (Big Foot) also playing.  With that I finally woke myself up.

During the lucid dreaming I had control all three times.   

When I do a retrieval, I realize I am not asleep--- I "use my imagination" or my inner mind to reach my goal, and more often than not, I am successful.  When I have seen and felt my past lives (or other selves Here/There) I am only half conscious/half asleep and I am very much There.  I haven't mastered smelling during my experiences.  The only times I have smell intuition is when someone has passed and I smell a bouquet of flowers in the air. 

Hugs to All--- Carol Ann

Yeah developing the habit of working to remind yourself in the day to remember at night sounds like a good way to approach it.

Though the hypnotism might be an interesting approach.

or having a young playmate around might also be fun! (I like the way you use the symbolism Carol Ann; break the cycle!)

I borrowed a copy of LaBerge's book but haven't read it yet.