I’ve seen it referred to in a number of ways, but curious if others have ever heard of the subject or practiced it. To give you the non-professional jest (I only mention this because I am in no way a licensed psychologist, or anything to a related field.), it involves becoming cognitively aware that you are dreaming, specifically without interrupting the dream, and taking some measure of control of the dream. As an example, you might find yourself dreaming of walking down your street, and rather than walking one way, you choose a different direction. The level and nature of control vary considerably by account. I personally have experienced the gambit (many years ago), but was always intrigued by the exclusiveness of complete control, to the point, that the culmination scared me to the point that I’ve never ventured back. Well, that and other things. Anyway, just curious if anyone is familiar with the topic, and to cut some off at the past, I’ve not only never smoked, I’ve never inhaled (extremely temperamental sinuses, and a frequent nose bleeder in my youth, which ironically, is a trait of many that I’ve spoken too, so maybe all of it boils down to a psychological explanation, rather than something else.)

Sometimes on up until I forget the dream, which from my understanding is the end of one dream and the beginning of another.
Or I wake up from realising I was dreaming.

Little things, kinda funny. I laugh when I think about them sometimes.

Like, Dreaming about turning the alram clock off but it's still going.

One time I had a dream my cat was sleeping on my face, when I woke up all I could see was a big pile a fur because my cat was sleeping on my face.
We both flipped out.

"I wonder if he was dreaming my face was under him?"

Another time I had a dream I was sitting on my bed talking to my wife, when I woke up I was sitting on my bed.

I dont think those would qualify for what youre talking about, but I was aware that I was dreaming while I was dreaming.

Its called Lucid Dreaming. And yeah, its pretty entertaining, for lack of a better term, if you can do it. Its something that I have experimented with on and off since I was like 12-13.

Basically what happens is you become aware that you are dreaming, and thus take control of the dream as if it were reality. Except since its a dream, you can pretty much do whatever you want, and I mean anything, lol.

But yeah, its not an easy thing to do. Usually, if im going to try and do it, I just lay there in my bed, on my back, and just completely relax my body, you kinda hypnotiyze (sp?) yourself. You put your body to sleep, but your still awake. You get sleep paralysis, so you really cant move your body while your in this state. Its easy to do actually. Anyways, after your body is asleep, you close your eyes, and basically count in your head, and concentrate. You will fall into a dream while you are counting, and you will realize it, and thus take control hopefully. I tell you though, it only works for me like, maybe 20% of the time. Its not easy, but it is rewarding when it does happen. You spend the whole night living out whatever you want instead of just sleeping. There are some who can do it at will, and they have even been able to communicate with people, while sleeping, with eye movements. Wierd lol.

It may sound kinda wierd or hippie'ish but it doesnt matter, its a rewarding and tangable experience. Although its a relatively unknown subjuct among the public, you can still Google or Yahoo it and do some research.

I hear that if you're able to look at your hands in your dream, you are then in control.

Incedentally, I've also heard that it's impossible to turn on/off a lightswitch in your dreams. Wierd.

I personally have experienced the gambit (many years ago), but was always intrigued by the exclusiveness of complete control, to the point, that the culmination scared me to the point that I’ve never ventured back. Well, that and other things. Anyway, just curious if anyone is familiar with the topic, and to cut some off at the past, I’ve not only never smoked, I’ve never inhaled (extremely temperamental sinuses, and a frequent nose bleeder in my youth, which ironically, is a trait of many that I’ve spoken too, so maybe all of it boils down to a psychological explanation, rather than something else.)
I am totally lost about what your sinuses have to do with this particular topic but none the less... I have done some dream experimentation. Took a course in it and learned dream interpretation from a Jungian perspective.

Although I have done some dream control, I find it more psychologically revealing to allow the dream to take it's course and then see what my psyche is attempting to tell me.

Like Phyrex I take the same approach as he does when I wish to dream play. Make myself aware of my intention. Then do deep relaxation exercises and let it flow from there. It opens up a whole new consciousness and allows a great many adventures on different levels once one becomes adept at it. It is not a game I would recommend to anyone who is not prepared to face personal demons or anyone who is afraid to face true self. It is however very rewarding if you want to learn various aspects of self AND other dimensions.

I personally have experienced the gambit (many years ago), but was always intrigued by the exclusiveness of complete control, to the point, that the culmination scared me to the point that I’ve never ventured back. Well, that and other things.
I have a few times, only once can I think of when I controlled the whole dream after I realized it was a dream. I have controlled parts of others but end up 'slipping back into' the progress. I find if I think about it all day before I go to sleep, it's easier. I purposely slip back because I do think that dreams hold meanings and we are to learn from them *voice from our subconcious*, not make them happen. Although I can't see the harm in it now and then.

I am very active in a dream state. To me, sleeping is just slipping into another life and I wake up tired. I have on occasion been confused in which 'realm' I am in because they both seem so real.

When I was a child, I screamed alot. One night I feel asleep and dreamt I coudn't talk and when I did wake up, I really couldn't. I woke my momma in a complete panic.
As an adult, I dreamt I went blind and I did force myself to go to the bathroom and look in the mirror. I could see my eyes, which were pure white and thickly covered with a slimy green mucous, indeed I was blind and was scared thinking I was going to wake up blind. I was never so relieved to wake up and be able to see.

I practice transcending, leaving my body in only my spirit form and travel, but that's a whole other thread.

Basically what happens is you become aware that you are dreaming, and thus take control of the dream as if it were reality. Except since its a dream, you can pretty much do whatever you want, and I mean anything, lol.

But yeah, its not an easy thing to do. Usually, if im going to try and do it, I just lay there in my bed, on my back, and just completely relax my body, you kinda hypnotiyze (sp?) yourself. You put your body to sleep, but your still awake. You get sleep paralysis, so you really cant move your body while your in this state. Its easy to do actually. Anyways, after your body is asleep, you close your eyes, and basically count in your head, and concentrate. You will fall into a dream while you are counting, and you will realize it, and thus take control hopefully. I tell you though, it only works for me like, maybe 20% of the time. Its not easy, but it is rewarding when it does happen. You spend the whole night living out whatever you want instead of just sleeping. There are some who can do it at will, and they have even been able to communicate with people, while sleeping, with eye movements. Wierd lol.



I've never been able to communicate back here with people while sleeping, but yes, that is EXACTLY how you train yourself to control your dreams. And you can do anything.
I jumped off a tall building just to see if I would die when I hit the ground. *It was a time in my life I didn't care if I lived so I ran the risk. Oddly enough I did wake up before hitting, and any time afterwards I tried it, I got the same result.

I am totally lost about what your sinuses have to do with this particular topic but none the less...
Like Phyrex I take the same approach as he does when I wish to dream play. Make myself aware of my intention. Then do deep relaxation exercises and let it flow from there. It opens up a whole new consciousness and allows a great many adventures on different levels once one becomes adept at it. It is not a game I would recommend to anyone who is not prepared to face personal demons or anyone who is afraid to face true self. It is however very rewarding if you want to learn various aspects of self AND other dimensions.
Sal, do you enter vortexes? You may think it strange I ask but I have a good reason.
I think he's talking about the sinuses in relating to oxygen deprivation being a reason for it.

Sal, do you enter vortexes? You may think it strange I ask but I have a good reason.
I think he's talking about the sinuses in relating to oxygen deprivation being a reason for it.
Vortexes...no I don't think so but I'm not certain of what that means? Can you explain it a bit.

I think on second reading, ShadowWalker was trying to say he wasn't stoned when he did this stuff. Because frankly the first time I entered this dream state I was fascinated but also confused because no one ever talks about it. Thats when I researched it further and found it an accepted thing in psychology at the university.

As for transcending body and travelling, it freaked me because I didn't know what was happening or if it was real. So it could seem fairly bizarre to many. It sure did to me when I first did it quite by accident. I don't play so much in that particular realm any more as it takes a lot of time and focus.

Vortex may not be the word I was looking for. It's more like a gateway or doorway you enter, the indians used that alot to travel to far away places in a short time when transcending. I never have entered one and don't ever think I will if given the chance. I've known an older lady who traveled them alot and it can be dangerous she said. They are for the more advanced spirits. The reason I asked you was for a second I thought you may be her. I've lost touch with her on the computer about 2 years ago and am holding out hope to meet her again.

Yeah, I think you're right, he was talking about being stoned.
Transcending is freaky but you do have to be careful. A friend of mine who had taught me all about it told me to be very careful the first few times you do it. When your spirit leaves your body, it is still connected to it so you can't go to far or you snap the cord and won't be able to get back to your body. Much like as an embryo is attached with an umbiblical cord, the spirit cord is to your body of flesh. After you do it for a while, it stretches, you'll notice you can go greater distances with no problem and once you've mastered reentering your body, your cord disappears. Only then can you enter thru gateways. It does take alot of focus and energy, and I don't do it as much as I used too.
Not many people do talk about it, but there are many who do do it. People who have never done it will feel free to tell you what a nut you are, but it's just from their lack of understanding so I don't take offense at their words. It is very real, just another dimension for us to be in, just as real as this flesh and blood dimension.

I am totally lost about what your sinuses have to do with this particular topic but none the less... I have done some dream experimentation. Took a course in it and learned dream interpretation from a Jungian perspective.

Although I have done some dream control, I find it more psychologically revealing to allow the dream to take it's course and then see what my psyche is attempting to tell me.

Like Phyrex I take the same approach as he does when I wish to dream play. Make myself aware of my intention. Then do deep relaxation exercises and let it flow from there. It opens up a whole new consciousness and allows a great many adventures on different levels once one becomes adept at it. It is not a game I would recommend to anyone who is not prepared to face personal demons or anyone who is afraid to face true self. It is however very rewarding if you want to learn various aspects of self AND other dimensions.

It was an off shoot, in that, most of the people that I speak too on the subject frequently partake in hallucinogens and this seems to be a somewhat assumed stereotype. I also didn’t want to come across as snug and arrogant, as if I was beyond such behavior, as for me, when that option approached in my youth, my physiology helped me out. I hung out with a lot of outsiders, so drugs and alcohol where a huge draw. Most were, as they now say, beyond the influence, but a lot were not.

My first experiences were more by accident, and later ones were similar induced as you all suggest. However, there was always something different about the spontaneous ones, and it usually was the environment. Induced ones nearly always took place in something of reason. For example, a place that I have been, my neighborhood, etc.. In those, I was always me, and yes, you can see your hands. Later own, I came to the understanding that something was always hidden in some of the spontaneous ones, namely, as it was put earlier, that you couldn’t see your hands. Only it wasn’t that you couldn’t see them, but that you didn’t want too, or probably more to the point, you had a desire that told you, that you would be incapable of comprehending what it was that you saw. That might be similar to your idea of vortex or gateway. As in my last venture, I didn’t so much look at the hands, as I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t me, well, I was me in thought, but I wasn’t the physical.

My first experiences were more by accident, and later ones were similar induced as you all suggest. However, there was always something different about the spontaneous ones, and it usually was the environment. Induced ones nearly always took place in something of reason. For example, a place that I have been, my neighborhood, etc.. In those, I was always me, and yes, you can see your hands.

My first experience was quite by accident also, but after having experienced it, I became deeply interested sought more about it. It was then I learned about self hypnosis and controlling your spirit to exit your body.
There are two different experiences in which you are talking about. One is as you say, you can see your hands and are aware of your self being present. I believe that in those kinds of experiences, you are there to learn of something and are in control...it is as if your spirit is in the form of your physical body. When I leapt from the build top, I was in that state.

Another experience I had in this form was entering a bedroom of a woman I had known. I had never been to her home in the physical but I was spontanously 'sent' there for some reason. My spirit was in the form of my body, had I wished to look at my hands or feet, I could have. While I was standing there, there was a room connected to her bedroom where her teenage son and some of his friends were sitting and talking and watching tv. I didn't hear words from their mouths but sensed something they were plotting and it was bad. I looked at her son and I immmediately knew I had to tell my friend her sons life was in harms way.
I turned and went to her night stand and seen a dish with silver coins in a crystal bowl, a lamp and a delicate doily on it. Next thing I knew I was awake in my bed, overwhelmed with the urgence the situation held. The next morning I met her for coffee and carried the conversation towards her son. I then told her of my feelings of her son being in danger. She tried to dismiss me, not wanting to think her son was in harm or willing to risk himself. I then told her what I had seen on her night stand and she turned white as a ghost.
I told her to believe and act accordingly, but I needed to tell her and my job was finished. It was as if I was sent to intervene.





Later own, I came to the understanding that something was always hidden in some of the spontaneous ones, namely, as it was put earlier, that you couldn’t see your hands. Only it wasn’t that you couldn’t see them, but that you didn’t want too, or probably more to the point, you had a desire that told you, that you would be incapable of comprehending what it was that you saw. That might be similar to your idea of vortex or gateway. As in my last venture, I didn’t so much look at the hands, as I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t me, well, I was me in thought, but I wasn’t the physical.

I understand exactly this 'level' of not being in a physical form by still being of a spiritual form. For me it was different in the way that I was more like being there but only my eyes, it was as if I had no body. But it was not a spontanous one. This one I directed and is different then the gateway I am talking about.
I fail miserably at relating to words my thoughts so bare with me.

That night, I had transcending to my rooftop, still in the shape of a body. While standing there I heard a cry of an eagle very far in the sky above me. I shot myself right towards it. By the time I reached it my spirit shape had changed and somehow I was able to enter the body of the eagle. My life was in the mist of mental torment and I was seeking peace. After entering the body I soared up and up and up until I reached the top side of the horizen..above the clouds. There I was completely alone and drifted for hours. Although time is different in both worlds, it was a long time in the spirit world. Finally at peace, I dove back downwards to the earth. I was over an ocean and nose diving straight down. It was fun being in his body but I wasn't sure how to control it at such speeds. I leveled out with the ocean and still going fast I approached a land with trees still at high speed. I entered the woods and remained about 3 foot above the surface, flowing with the ground. I was ok until there was a deep ravine, about 4 foot deep, 6 foot wide and I stayed level with the ground and dipped down into the ravine. Upon coming back up to level ground, I remember thinking 'O fuck' as I plowed into a tree and knocked the eagle out. hahaha. I immediately woke up in my bed sitting up and laughing out loud. I felt so horrible for what I did and only can hope it lived. *although I think not as I was still going fast and probly broke it's neck*.
It was thru this experience I received something I needed but learned thru the experience that sometimes it comes at the cost of others.

My friend is a practicing shaman and travels to upper and lower worlds thru the gateways. I remember her saying each gateway has off branches and you have to be careful which one you enter, evil spirits abound. It is usually best to stay on the main one unless you know where you are going lest you become lost.
She said I am a anime when I told her of my flight with the eagle. I did look it up a bit but never really researched it. I've never been led by religious ways and don't want to get stuck in a sort of doctorine. I would much rather just live it and learn from it as I go along. She also has that ability to enter animals.


How long have you been aware and do you actively seek the state? Feel free to tell us of some of your experiences. Each person experience it for different reasons, as mine will never be the same as yours or others, but similar in many ways.
A different friend, after telling of my eagle experience, suggested I read 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' and I did some time back. It speaks of spirit advancement of sort and is a good read.

Vortex may not be the word I was looking for. It's more like a gateway or doorway you enter, the indians used that alot to travel to far away places in a short time when transcending. I never have entered one and don't ever think I will if given the chance. Interesting, as this implies that there is time/distance constraint on us even though that other dimension seems time/space free.

I've known an older lady who traveled them alot and it can be dangerous she said. They are for the more advanced spirits. Yes I believe all is basically energy and some can be harmful. Everything I had read urges caution.
The reason I asked you was for a second I thought you may be her. I've lost touch with her on the computer about 2 years ago and am holding out hope to meet her again. If it is meant to be, you will find her again when the time is right. I do not believe that any meeting with another is merely chance. Each is an energy draw and can be beneficial if used properly.

Transcending is freaky but you do have to be careful. A friend of mine who had taught me all about it told me to be very careful the first few times you do it. When your spirit leaves your body, it is still connected to it so you can't go to far or you snap the cord and won't be able to get back to your body. Much like as an embryo is attached with an umbiblical cord, the spirit cord is to your body of flesh. I truly don't know a lot about it. My night adventures have been limited and were not well informed...they just happened. Mostly of the info I gleaned was after the fact.

As for the cord, I have had a few bizarre spiritual connections with other humans...energy exchanges for lack of a better description and they involved their cord and mine mingling and connecting. It is almost like being within them from an emotional standpoint. I am way more adept at this aspect than I am with night travel.

I lean more towards this and have since I was a child.

Not many people do talk about it, but there are many who do do it. True enough, but like finds like always. And the pupil will always find the teacher when they are ready.

People who have never done it will feel free to tell you what a nut you are, but it's just from their lack of understanding so I don't take offense at their words. It is very real, just another dimension for us to be in, just as real as this flesh and blood dimension. Well I have never considered myself as "normal" or average... so to be labelled as different is something I find as a positive. All my friends are "different" in one way or another. Even if it is just that they are more humane than average, they still differ. :)

It was an off shoot, in that, most of the people that I speak too on the subject frequently partake in hallucinogens and this seems to be a somewhat assumed stereotype. I also didn’t want to come across as snug and arrogant, as if I was beyond such behavior, as for me, when that option approached in my youth, my physiology helped me out. I hung out with a lot of outsiders, so drugs and alcohol where a huge draw. Most were, as they now say, beyond the influence, but a lot were not.
Yes. And anything which is very different is regarded as dangerous or labelled in such a way as to make others feel safe and "normal". Also many people have had such experiences while taking hallucinogens, thus the assumption that in order to open up the brain one would need that kind of help.

Only it wasn’t that you couldn’t see them, but that you didn’t want too, or probably more to the point, you had a desire that told you, that you would be incapable of comprehending what it was that you saw. That might be similar to your idea of vortex or gateway. As in my last venture, I didn’t so much look at the hands, as I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t me, well, I was me in thought, but I wasn’t the physical.

Interesting as usually I am not physically present when in this state. I am me... but my physical being is not material or at least not bound by physical properties at all. Although I was more so the first few times.

I understand exactly this 'level' of not being in a physical form by still being of a spiritual form. For me it was different in the way that I was more like being there but only my eyes, it was as if I had no body.
Me too (most of the time).


That night, I had transcending to my rooftop, still in the shape of a body. While standing there I heard a cry of an eagle very far in the sky above me. I shot myself right towards it. By the time I reached it my spirit shape had changed and somehow I was able to enter the body of the eagle. My life was in the mist of mental torment and I was seeking peace. After entering the body I soared up and up and up until I reached the top side of the horizen..above the clouds. There I was completely alone and drifted for hours. Although time is different in both worlds, it was a long time in the spirit world. Finally at peace, I dove back downwards to the earth. I was over an ocean and nose diving straight down. It was fun being in his body but I wasn't sure how to control it at such speeds. I leveled out with the ocean and still going fast I approached a land with trees still at high speed. I entered the woods and remained about 3 foot above the surface, flowing with the ground. I was ok until there was a deep ravine, about 4 foot deep, 6 foot wide and I stayed level with the ground and dipped down into the ravine. Upon coming back up to level ground, I remember thinking 'O fuck' as I plowed into a tree and knocked the eagle out. hahaha. I immediately woke up in my bed sitting up and laughing out loud. I felt so horrible for what I did and only can hope it lived. *although I think not as I was still going fast and probly broke it's neck*.
It was thru this experience I received something I needed but learned thru the experience that sometimes it comes at the cost of others.Interesting experience and conclusion about the cost to others. Perhaps it too was merely spirit and thus unharmed.

A different friend, after telling of my eagle experience, suggested I read 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' and I did some time back. It speaks of spirit advancement of sort and is a good read Neil Diamond has done Jonathan Livinsgton Seagull to music. It is years old (from my teens) :D and well done.

I wish I could control my dreams... Then maybe they wouldn't be so horrible.

Anyways I look at my hands in dreams all the time... Usually because I'm cutting them off or even, in a recent dream, eating them. I dreamed that I was literally chewing off my own hands. Unpleasant.

Anyways I look at my hands in dreams all the time... Usually because I'm cutting them off or even, in a recent dream, eating them. I dreamed that I was literally chewing off my own hands. Unpleasant.
I'd think it's a good thing I don't ever remember my dreams anymore. What with catching myself numerous times throughout the day fantasizing about some new way to kill myself. Quite odd, don't know why.

Though when I used to dream, I was always in control of myself, but nothing else. I've also never had any "deep" dreams, it's always some meaning that I had already figured out. Except when I dreamt about video games, I've gotten some interesting insights from those...

[b] I've also never had any "deep" dreams, it's always some meaning that I had already figured out. Except when I dreamt about video games, I've gotten some interesting insights from those...

Even when I have figured something out, I like when a dream confirms it. One time in a dream I was in a stadium filled with hundreds of people. Suddenly I was flying around the stadium while screaming, "no, no...I can't fly". When I woke up, I knew the dream was basically telling me that I was limiting myself in my life in order to protect myself. It was time to overcome my fear and fly (figuratively). It really did help me.

My dreams are rather disturbing, which is why I'm glad I only remember a few of them.

I wish I could control my dreams... Then maybe they wouldn't be so horrible.

Anyways I look at my hands in dreams all the time... Usually because I'm cutting them off or even, in a recent dream, eating them. I dreamed that I was literally chewing off my own hands. Unpleasant.
You can control your dreams. Once you realize that it is a dream, you then should realize you are in control.

You use your hands to build up. Maybe by eating them in your dream, you're trying to tell yourself you are cutting yourself short, you are hurting yourself and you are your own worse enemy. You are tearing down yourself instead of building yourself up, subconsciously.
Or...you feel you aren't in control of things in your life and are feeling helpless. Unable to handle the situation.
I'm not that good at dream interpretations, so take it with a grain of salt.

One re occuring dream I had I finally put an end to by facing what I was running from.
I had visited a place on vacation and it was right after that visit I started having this dream. I was being chased thru the corridors of a dimly lit castle. Every few feet where torchs stuck in the wall, just enough light to see ahead a short distance. I always run to a certain place and would always run into a dining area. I would stop running and look behind me, and the guy who was chasing me wasn't there. But ever single time I turned back around, he would he standing on the opposite side of the table. I would always turn and run back into the hallway which by then became nothing but a black void and would wake up scared.
I decided I had enough of this dream, it was really bothering me. So I decided next time I dream it, I will realize it's just a dream and decided I will run faster then I ever did before in my dream and beat him to the room and I will be standing instead. Sure enough, I started dreaming it and I remembered to run fast. I was like lightening and got to the room in record time, I was sure I beat him. I looked down the hall behind me and he wasn't there then turned to go into the room. Just as I turned the corner, he was standing on the opposite side of the table. I could hardly breathe from running so fast and when I seen him, I was mad! I stepping into the room and was walking right to him but as soon as I stepped into the room, I could see the table was filled with people sitting there eating. I had never seen them there before. I looked at the man in surprise and then he smiled. I smiled and woke up. I remember thinking how weird that was, but I haven't dreamt it since.

You use your hands to build up. Maybe by eating them in your dream, you're trying to tell yourself you are cutting yourself short, you are hurting yourself and you are your own worse enemy. You are tearing down yourself instead of building yourself up, subconsciously.
Or...you feel you aren't in control of things in your life and are feeling helpless. Unable to handle the situation.
I'm not that good at dream interpretations, so take it with a grain of salt.


Completely true.

Dreams are self interpretive. but if you think it's it, then you also know only you can stop it and change. You have soooo much potential, you should focus on that instead.

When im not in control, which is most of the time, my dreams are pretty wierd. Usually very vivid, I always remember them. Its always like watching some movie. But I tend to dream in the third person alot, as in I watch myself, I dont dream though my own eyes. I dont know if thats wierd or not.

No. That's not weird. Alot of people dream in 'third' person. The weird ones to me are when I'm naked in my dream or in a classroom.

How long have you been aware and do you actively seek the state? Feel free to tell us of some of your experiences. Each person experience it for different reasons, as mine will never be the same as yours or others, but similar in many ways.
A different friend, after telling of my eagle experience, suggested I read 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' and I did some time back. It speaks of spirit advancement of sort and is a good read.

I will, just short on time lately.

Yes. And anything which is very different is regarded as dangerous or labelled in such a way as to make others feel safe and "normal". Also many people have had such experiences while taking hallucinogens, thus the assumption that in order to open up the brain one would need that kind of help.

That is due in light of our shared belief in causality. If a stated observation falls outside of the expected conclusion, then their must be a cause. A particular cause, that is both equally alterative, yet blatantly plausible. Hallucinogens strongly fit the bill.

I wish I could control my dreams... Then maybe they wouldn't be so horrible.

Anyways I look at my hands in dreams all the time... Usually because I'm cutting them off or even, in a recent dream, eating them. I dreamed that I was literally chewing off my own hands. Unpleasant.

I’m by no means a dream anything, but from what I recall, ‘hands’ represent what you did, can do, will do, need to do, can’t do, etc… It’s a reaction to an action. Considering that you consider the dreams ‘horrible’, perhaps it revolves around actions towards, against, or around you. Anyway, horror turned to action and resolution, well… anyway, not sure what I know or don’t know at this point.

Anyways I look at my hands in dreams all the time... Usually because I'm cutting them off or even, in a recent dream, eating them. I dreamed that I was literally chewing off my own hands. Unpleasant.
I'd think it's a good thing I don't ever remember my dreams anymore. What with catching myself numerous times throughout the day fantasizing about some new way to kill myself. Quite odd, don't know why.

Though when I used to dream, I was always in control of myself, but nothing else. I've also never had any "deep" dreams, it's always some meaning that I had already figured out. Except when I dreamt about video games, I've gotten some interesting insights from those...

See, now you’ve gone and done it. It’s like that scene with Happy Harry Hard-on. Most of us can probably relate in some form or fashion, yet, we have no earthly clue as to the brevity of the situation. Nor to the provocation of our actions or in-actions. But in the least, you mentioned video games, so that makes you more than ok around this neck of the woods. Digital delights for one and all.

I had a dream that I was in the future of Post-Apocalyptic New Jersey, foraging for food and supplies (although oddly i only picked up sports equipment). Suddenly I was in a futuristic hospital. John Lithgow was my doctor, and he told me that I had cancer. The only two options were
1. Break every one of my bones one million times!
2. Remove my spine.

I chose spinal removal. Then, a really hot nurse came out and had me stand in the door of an elevator. She pushed a secret button and the elevator started to shake...and that was it. It shook for 3 days. On the fourth day, I went to push the button, but accidentally hit the "4" button. Then the "1" button. Then the secret button. The nurse said, "Oh no! You've messed it up! Now we have to start over again!"
The doors shut and I shot down 100 floors (even though the elevator only had 4 buttons), when my spine ripped out of my back, and I'm pretty sure I died.

I had a dream that I was in the future of Post-Apocalyptic New Jersey, foraging for food and supplies (although oddly i only picked up sports equipment). Suddenly I was in a futuristic hospital. John Lithgow was my doctor, and he told me that I had cancer. The only two options were
1. Break every one of my bones one million times!
2. Remove my spine.

I chose spinal removal. Then, a really hot nurse came out and had me stand in the door of an elevator. She pushed a secret button and the elevator started to shake...and that was it. It shook for 3 days. On the fourth day, I went to push the button, but accidentally hit the "4" button. Then the "1" button. Then the secret button. The nurse said, "Oh no! You've messed it up! Now we have to start over again!"
The doors shut and I shot down 100 floors (even though the elevator only had 4 buttons), when my spine ripped out of my back, and I'm pretty sure I died.

lol