An Introduction to Lucid Dreaming

[morningstar]

To be in a dream state and yet be aware that you are in a dream state…seems like a hall of mirrors doesn’t it?

We have all experienced a lucid dream at some point. They seem to come at random and not very frequently for most people. The question is, what triggers them – and is there anything we can do to bring them on ourselves?
There are a number of techniques I have read about over the years which can help to trigger a lucid dream state. If we remember that our conscious minds and subconscious minds are interconnected we can begin to learn to control our perception of each individual state, which is a key here.

A first step is to become aware of your dreams and to remember them. Some people keep journals near their bed and write down memorable dreams right after they occur. As we all know, it is often easy to forget aspects of a dream once we reach a fully conscious/awake state. Coming to know the patterns of your dream life is an essential step here.

Relaxation techniques, including meditation can also be a benefit to a more lucid dream life. Learning to control and recognize your own states of consciousness is very helpful, and a step towards not only lucid dreaming, but many believe out of body experiences and astral projection as well.

When you are awake, start to occasionally ask yourself how you know you are awake. Use your senses – touch an object or your face – look at the things around you and notice the sizes and dimensions of objects – look in the mirror - (don’t do this too often or the people in your life may question your sanity… ).
Ask yourself questions about your conscious state, such as: am I dreaming right now? How do I know the things around me are real? Can I taste this? Can I touch this? etc. Compare these sensations with your dream states. Start to observe the variations between the two states of consciousness.

Before falling asleep repeat a mantra to yourself that you will have a lucid dream and that when you are in a deep sleep you will remember that you’re dreaming…this should be done in a deeply relaxed state just prior to falling asleep…this, I’ve found, helps to act as a bridge between the two states of consciousness – think of it as a way for your conscious mind to communicate with your subconscious mind. This suggestive technique can also work if you want to have a certain type of dream. It’s like setting up your own virtual reality and can be a lot of fun. I once told myself I wanted to dream of walking on the streets of Ancient Pompei prior to falling asleep. Well – I did just that … and the dream that night was wonderful and rather lucid … I was able to observe things in my dream right down to the cobblestone streets. As that experience illustrates, dreaming can be a lot of fun if you can learn to manipulate your dreams for this purpose.
But, I should add, that it can also enhance those dreams we have that are prophetic in nature – those dreams that do have a more spiritual element/connection for us.

By learning to bridge the gap between states of consciousness we can come to know our inner selves on a much deeper level and help to strengthen our ‘awareness’ in our daily lives.

[Frater G]

I had read about a technique for attaining the lucid dream state. What you do is give yourself a simple command to start. For instance looking at your hands. Tell yourself that you will look at your hands in your dream. When you finally do the memory will trigger the connection. Like a spider's thread you are connected. It's happened a few times with me. Also one should keep a dream journal next to the bed so one can record the dream as soon as one awakens. Memories like details can fade out of memory within the first half hour.

[morningstar]

I had read about a technique for attaining the lucid dream state. What you do is give yourself a simple command to start. For instance looking at your hands. Tell yourself that you will look at your hands in your dream. When you finally do the memory will trigger the connection. Like a spider's thread you are connected. It's happened a few times with me.

I love the analogy of a spider's thread...when doing this we do seem to weave a thread between the two 'worlds' - and because it can be a very delicate thread a dream journal is important if you want to seriously explore your dream life.

When this technique has worked for you, G - did you find at first that you were a bit startled to find yourself dreaming - or was it a comfortable transition? I've read that when many people first attempt this that they often become startled, thus waking themselves up in the process.

Like anything - the more we practice whichever technique works for us - the easier it becomes.

Another way that I've led myself into this state begins in the state between consciousness and deep sleep - when you are still aware that you are falling asleep and are still partially awake. I am in a deeply relaxed state, and I actually begin to dream. Often, when this happens, I find my conscious mind questioning the sequences/events that are occuring - and I rationally know it is a dream. It's strange - because you become aware of both sides operating at the same time, in balance - rather than one dominating the other - a meeting place of the 'minds', if you will. This, for me, is a good exercise to train yourself to recognize when you are dreaming...thus allowing you to 'step into it' at will. Usually when in this transitionary stage - the dreams I have are jumbled and more ethereal than the dreams I have in a deeper sleep. For me it has proven to be a prepatory exercise leading to more awareness during my more intense dream stage. It's also helped me to recall my dreams more vividly...thereby not missing the messages they may contain.

[Frater G]

When this technique has worked for you, G - did you find at first that you were a bit startled to find yourself dreaming - or was it a comfortable transition? I've read that when many people first attempt this that they often become startled, thus waking themselves up in the process.

Yes I did, many times. I had gotten to the point where I could like how could you say...gradually shift from the wakeful place to the dream state. However being completely lucid is rare...for me. I would always snap back. I was getting better when I actively practiced. Last night I tried again..I dreamed but it was like any other.

Another way that I've led myself into this state begins in the state between consciousness and deep sleep - when you are still aware that you are falling asleep and are still partially awake. I am in a deeply relaxed state, and I actually begin to dream. Often, when this happens, I find my conscious mind questioning the sequences/events that are occuring - and I rationally know it is a dream. It's strange - because you become aware of both sides operating at the same time, in balance - rather than one dominating the other - a meeting place of the 'minds', if you will. This, for me, is a good exercise to train yourself to recognize when you are dreaming...thus allowing you to 'step into it' at will. Usually when in this transitionary stage - the dreams I have are jumbled and more ethereal than the dreams I have in a deeper sleep. For me it has proven to be a prepatory exercise leading to more awareness during my more intense dream stage. It's also helped me to recall my dreams more vividly...thereby not missing the messages they may contain.

That's actually very good, in fact awesome..it took me a long time to come to the in between area like you stated. The thoughts you mentioned occur to me as well. You're definitely on the path, it is a good exercise like you said also. I can see you are a natural at this. One day we should meet in some lucid dream world. Myself I need lots of practice. It's big fun.. ;D

[Frater G]

A few weeks ago I was able to enter the lucid state this time though I was completely in control. I was able to continue within the dream world at will. I tested myself by doing a gradual shift to my wakeful state but stopping to go back. It's amazing the knowledge accumulates it's like learning to ride a bicycle.

I returned to a place that I have been many times before. I had seen a sign on a wall that said Park Central. I saw State St. and E 8th and N 8th. There were people whom I recognized and they knew me. The laws of physics were different...I was lighter it seemed. I remember walking down a street and coming to a tramway of sorts....like the Jetsons cartoon kind of. It carried me along for a bit then it ramped up slightly and I was propelled off a few feet to the ground and I continued my walk around. I was trying to analyze everything so I could remember it for when I had to return. Each time I tried to focus on something intently it would fade. So I had to look in a peripheral manner. There was a theater, a bowling alley, a diner, a recording studio where musicians were practicing, a food vendor.

There was an apartment complex where I had a place, apartment 1E. There were staircases crisscrossing everywhere around a courtyard with reptiles on the banisters. I saw people who were naked, nakedness was not an issue to anyone. I was dressed though. I had a jacket on or sport coat and I was wearing sunglasses. I saw myself vaguely in a reflection from a glass pane and noticed I was younger. I tried to touch the glass but my hand passed right through. One woman looked at me and rolled her eyes back and "other" eyes appeared. I sensed she "saw" me.

Another woman came up and began talking to me. She knew me and I remembered her. She had an accent and had olive skin with dark medium short hair. We walked together talking and came upon a food vendor who said to her that I needed a sandwich. He gave me one and as soon as I took a bite I returned to my wakeful state. I sensed that my energy level was low and that he knew it.

I've been thinking about dreaming and I believe that dreamworlds are real somewhere. Why dream?? Physicists are toying with multi-string theory where parallel universes converge or touch thus letting matter in, in essence creating from this perspective. There are infinite possibilities.

The brain is a lens and it is the intermediate between spirit and physical matter in the lower frequencies. Our minds (beliefs) are veiled though fear and prejudice. Our active conscious mind only uses a minimal percent of the total brain. Just like our knowledge of reality. Shamanic belief states that the art of dreaming is the key to the other side or Nagual.

The dreamstate happens only during REM sleep. If one cannot achieve that state the body is weak. Everyone's experienced that. Not only that but one can actually die if sleep cannot be achieved and there is a recorded case of this happening. I believe it took around six weeks. Now why is that? Why is dreaming such a necessity? Why REM sleep? Could it be that life force is borrowed from the other side? Like matter bleeding in from parallel strings? As above so below right? In turn perhaps we here on this plane are dreamed...or both simultaneously. An exchange of life force, balance being the key to our genetic programmed longevity. Hindu beliefs state that the universe is conscious...Einstein reflected this as well. We are the stars and they are us. The big bang was a crack between the universes. This sent perpetual time in motion.

One thing I forgot to mention my dog Angus (a Pug) was with me. It's like he came along with me. Pugs were viewed as sacred by the Chinese Emperors of yesteryear and only they had the privilege of owning them originally. Could it be that they were multidimensional companions? Angus spends most of his time sleeping.

[George the 3rd]

One thing I forgot to mention my dog Angus (a Pug) was with me. It's like he came along with me. Pugs were viewed as sacred by the Chinese Emperors of yesteryear and only they had the privilege of owning them originally. Could it be that they were multidimensional companions? Angus spends most of his time sleeping.

Maybe it was Zhuangzi dreaming he was Angus?!

[Frater G]

It could be! You're depth never fails to amaze my friend.