When I was 14 I first learned about the concept of lucid dreaming. Put simply, lucid dreaming is where one falls into a dream state and yet has control over the events in the dream. In this state, a person can learn about themselves, speak with those who have passed on, stop nightmares, and more.
Keith Hearne was the first to scientifically discover lucid dreaming. Through various experiments, he was able to prove that lucid dreaming occurred, and that it could be influenced. He even patented a 'dream machine' in the 1980s. You can download his book on the machine and his research here. Among the earliest statements of being conscious in a dream came from writings in the late 1800s. Of course, prior to that, there is no doubt that dreamers took control of their own sleeping worlds.
Paul Tholey, a dream specialist (called an oneirologist), says there are things that must be in place to be considered a lucid dream. One must be aware of the following things: the dream state, the ability they have to make decisions, memories, personal identity, the dream world, the meaning of the dream and one must be concentrating and focused and have subjective clarity in that focus.
It sounds like a lot, but it's really not. They all fall together. Once you are aware you're in the dream, you often jump right into decision-making, finding yourself in space and figuring out where you are, and you instantly want to know what it all means.
There are a couple of ways to just kind of fall in to a lucid dream, either by simply going from being in a conscious state right into REM sleep, or by getting into a normal dream and then realizing it's a dream. Getting started with a dream and then realizing I'm in it is the method I typically use on purpose, but I have often fallen directly into a lucid dream thinking I was still awake. You have to take quick account of your surroundings in that situation!
I won't go into all the science behind it, but if you're more interested, Google J. Allan Hobson or Stephan LaBerge. They can take you deeper into the neuroscience than I can. I know how to do it, but I'll be dipped if I know how to explain the brain's way of doing it!
Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm going to do this in several parts. This is part 1. Basics. What to expect. That's enough. So, in addition to the general info I've told you so far, here are some things to do/remember till next time.
1. You have nothing to fear. I get asked all the time if it's dangerous. Not in the least. It's incredibly enjoyable, incredibly cathartic. I have learned more in my lucid dreams about myself, my past lives and my gifts than I ever have in the waking world.
2. It takes time. You must practice. You must wait for it. It's instant for a few, and those folks are blessed. It took me about 4-5 years of really working to get it down to be able to get into my nightmares. Those for me were the hardest thing. Nightmares, if you have bad ones, will be tough. You can often come out of them, when they've been lucid, feeling like you've been beaten up. It's not easy to make every dream a lucid one, nor is it necessary.
3. No one can take over your dreams. There are Dreamwalkers, and we'll get into those later, but for now just know that you are in control of your body, your mind, your brain, your dreams. You're the boss, applesauce!!
4. There are many paths to reach the same destination. You may find one method works for you very well and others don't work at all. That's ok. We're all different, unique, and we all need to find the path that works best for us.
5. Now, get yourself to the store and pick up a good thick notebook or 2 and a package of pens and prepare to start writing down every dream you recall. It may be bits and pieces, but those will help you to recall more. Now, put one on the bedside table and one by the toilet. We all get up at night to pee, and usually come out of a dream to do so. Write. Write. Write. Notice things that seem to recur, things you see over again, people you recognize, et cetera.
If you have questions about dreams, please send them to me and I'll see what I can do to help you figure them out.
The next article will include methods to start lucid dreaming. At the beginning, it's most important to become really aware of what you are dreaming about, and how those dreams make you feel when you wake from them.
Email me if you have questions on this article. More to come soon! I promise!
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