The last time I had a lucid dream it was a bad one. I realized I didn't want to be where I was. and rubbed my arm on a brick wall until it woke me up. I have not had a lucid dream since. thank you for the info above, Daylia, so I can remember to take a different direction if I am blessed with this powerful experience again.

Jeannie, you probably know this, but there is one theory that if you lose a twin early, you are searching for that something in your life. It sounds like the dream helped you find it. Very early experiences unquestionable mark us; some say pre-birth experiences also influence us. Controlled studies with mothers reading to their in utero babies show the babies responding to their mothers reading the same material signifigantly. You could be looking for Your twin's heartbeat. My apologies if this is all old hat. Your experience was very powerful. I think we needed to ponder it a bit.

My 20 something dream group helped me learn to deal with the nightmares. To begin to respond the the frightening thing in them -- to shout, even if it was a croak at first, and to turn and defend myself. The effect in my waking life was profound.

I am in a dream study group now, at 50+. I highly recommend dream study to all introspective types.