I realized long ago that the dream world is another plane of existence. One in which thoughts can be manifested instantly, and creativity and self-expression maximized in some mind-blowing living paintings. This plane has similarities, but the rules are a bit different.
One might say both planes are illusions, but I prefer to think of both as ever-changing canvasses. There are tiny, but conscious beings forming what we experience, in accordance with idea construction. Think of them as subatomic units that are alive and jump in and out of constructed ideas under they're own free will.
As for controlling reality or experience, we have a lot. You imagine an idea, then the minute you take action to create it, your experience changes. Probabilities always come into play in the physical plane, for sure. Creating a cup of coffee is a highly probable event in the reality in which I currently exist and I can make it quickly. If I was floating on a piece of wreckage in the ocean, making a cup of joe would be highly improbable. If I decide today to start towards creating the reality of me playing linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, I can tell you that at my age and size the probability of that happening, no matter how hard I worked at it, is zero in this present moment. I could create a book or movie about me accomplishing it, or win a prize to play one play as linebacker in a light practice, but never will I actually be the real linebacker. Not in this life. In the dream world, I can create a version of the experience, but that's all.
Essentially, every time that you have an idea and make it happen you are translating your energy into physical forms and experience. The more you do it consciously, the better you get at it.
Some people believe that you can make things happen just by thinking strongly about them. I've had this experience more than a few times. I sat down and visualized an event or object I wanted to manifest with great emotion, and lo and behold it shows up in an improbable way without me lifting a finger to make it happen--and quickly sometimes. It's as if part of us can manipulate probabilities and make something that's less probable, more probable. Probabilities aren't separate from us. They are part of us.
Most things need my action to make it real. An example of that would be if I want to be a doctor, I can make it happen, but mostly only with action (hard work). Visualization might help in certain areas like learning more quickly, manifesting a job after I've become a doctor, or creating a practice with lots of customers. Again, I can visualize winning an Olympic medal in the 100m sprint with great energy and emotion, and it won't come to be. For visualization to work, the desired event has to be at least a little probable.
In the dream world, you can work to become lucid. Once you learn how to become lucid (you can through suggestion), you can start to experiment with consciously creating within dreams. You can fly, walk through walls, instantly manifest food and other objects, have sex, and even extend it into an out-of-body experience, because quite frankly when in you're in a dream, you are in a different kind of body with all sorts of abilities.
Where does meditation come into play with all this? The ability to focus is paramount in all creativity pursuits (whether they be ones that require action or ones you're trying to manifest with just visualization) and inner adventures. Meditation develops this skill, among other benefits. Also, in terms of creating experience, the act of meditating is a creative act. You see yourself doing it first, then you act and make it happen. This action makes other experiences more probable, whether they be ones of more relaxation, awakenings or illuminations, better health perhaps, or maybe even an experience of intense emotions that will scare you (but hang on, experience them--they'll change like everything else).
Any kind of awakening that you can manifest in your consciousness is good. Though sometimes an awakening can be scary. You can't put the lid back on these pandora's boxes. I believe one person's awakening is not another's. Each of us are on a unique journey with a unique consciousness with a unique set of abilities and potentials.
Make sure your ready for the adventure. 30 years ago, I was ready, but what ended up opening up within me still was pretty scary and intense at first. Because I kept a balance by immersing myself in consciously creating my experience, exercising, reading and learning about consciousness, and working hard at my talents and potentials, I was able to acclimate and life has been this creative adventure through an infinite sea of creativity and probabilities ever since.