I’m preparing for my upcoming lecture on lucid nightmares, coming up in three weeks in Chicago at the annual conference for the International Association for the Study of Dreams.

So if you want to be part of my data pool for this rendition of the talk, submit your scary lucid dream to me now.

Here are the main prerequisites:

1. You are self-aware and know “this is a dream.”

2. You are not consciously directing the disturbing imagery – rather, the imagery is self-generating, surprising, or confrontational.

3. The dream ends by you waking up immediately (either on purpose or by sheer terror). Otherwise, the dream is not technically a nightmare by today’s definition.

Collecting these dreams has been harder than I thought it would be.  In today’s lucid dreaming culture, unfortunately, the prevailing attitude about lucid nightmares is one of shame and guilt.  Many dreamers keep these dreams to themselves because they fear social ostracization for not “being in control.”

In fact, some dream workers have even suggested that lucid dreams that you are not in control are “lower” in quality in a psycho-spiritual sense.  I have a feeling something else is going on than a lack of know-how or an unclean spirit.  But I need more dream reports to find the common traits and experiences.

Thanks – just go to my dream survey and fill out the required questions plus the lucid nightmare blank.  It’s anonymous.  Or, even quicker, add the dream report in my contact form.