25 Sep 2015
Lucid Dreams
Do you know the difference between Lucid Dreams and ordinary Dreams?
Well, lucid dreaming is defined by you knowing that you are dreaming!
When you are in the middle of a dream, on some level you are aware that you are not experiencing reality, but that you are in fact dreaming – that is a lucid dream…
Being aware of the different dreams and being able to take control in a lucid dream state is a powerful psychological and psychic tool. Research shows that psychic healing can occur during lucid dreaming. There is also no need to be afraid of a nightmare, as this function is only bringing to the surface an important thing that needs to be dealt with.
An experienced lucid dreamer has the potential to take hold of a nightmare, understand that they are not in harm’s way, and can work through the underlying problem, effectively waking with a solution. This process is incredibly health-restoring.
Generally lucid dreams occur when a person is in REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement); this is where the most vivid dreams happen. It is not a good idea to dream lucidly every night, as dreams spontaneously unfolding is in itself restorative. But trying to lucid dream twice a week could help in all manner of ways.
Here are some techniques to try, if you would like to hone your abilities:
- When you are preparing to go to sleep, say to yourself that your intention is to become aware when you next have a significant dream.
- When you are relaxed, this can be during the day, remember a dream that you had (trying this on a reoccurring dream can be very helpful), once you have the dream in your mind’s eye, run through the sequence of events – but change the ending.
- Before you go to sleep, try creating a dream scenario, and then when you wake – go through the dream again.
- Keep a pad and pencil by your bedside, and when you wake – whether that is in the morning or through the night, note down the dream that you remember. This doesn’t just have to be a tangible sequence of events, but can be more about imagery or symbols you saw.
It is possible to create a dream sign, that will occur during your dreaming – that will let you know you have achieved a lucid dream state.
- Think up a particularly exciting dream and imagine yourself in it in some way. This can be an old dream you are familiar with or you can create a new scenario. During the visualisation plant a symbol, something that will stand out to you – this can be an everyday thing such as a flower, or it could be weird and wonderful like a talking rabbit. Some people find it easier to create a sensation rather than an object – such as imagining they are flying. In your visualisation – invoke this symbol or sensation several times.
- The next time you prepare for bed, say to yourself ‘when my [insert symbol] appears I will know that I am dreaming.’ Each time you want to try lucid dreaming, use this as a mantra to remind yourself as you drift off to sleep that your intention is to be aware that you are dreaming and to be able to take control.
- Don’t worry if the first few times you try this the symbol does not appear, the skill does take patience and practise. Just keep visualising the symbol before you go to sleep and again when you wake up, and re-enter your visualisation to deliberately evoke the dream. Eventually if you continue to follow this pattern the symbol will begin to appear in your dreams of its own accord.
Ref: The Essential Guide to Myth, Magic and Supernatural.
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