LUCID DREAMING

Lucid Dreaming: Dream Study Class Seven

This is an experience of becoming conscious that you are dreaming while you are in the dream. It is in this aspect of dreaming experience that there is the most controversy. Both suppporters and detractors of the practice are equally passionate.

Supporters of Lucid Dreaming Say

1. In lucid dreaming you can practice anything – a skill, sport, a conversation, an exam, spiritual connection, past lives – anything which will amp your ability just as if you were practicing it in waking life.
2. You can direct the energy flow thereby, alter your reactions (the pressing of “buttons”) to stimulus in your waking life.
3. Empowerment. Feeling in charge in your dreams will transfer to your waking life so you feel more in charge.
4. Release negative, nasty, angry feelings to the person you are angry with without consequence – so that when you meet up with this person in waking life your communications are not contaminated with unresolved toxic emotional baggage.
5. You can practice all night long some physical skill you wish to develop without getting tired (ie. Golfing, hockey, archery, typing)
6. You can get over a phobia like flying, crowds, heights, public speaking by practicing it in a dream state whereby you train yourself to associate these experiences with empowerment and happy excitement rather than fear.
7. You can boost your self esteem by creating dream situations whereby you are embarrassingly and effusively appreciated.

Detractors of Lucid Dreaming Say

1. By allowing your ego full access to the power of the unconscious you risk ego inflation. You can assume silly stances like you are invincible or you are Godlike.
2. Your dreams become products of consciousness rather than gifts of the unconscious.
3. You are taking control of a psychic process the consequence of which you have no idea.
4. You could become overconfident in something having bought into the false notion that you can control everything. This in combination with ego inflation could lead you to grossly overestimate your ability.

Lucid Dreaming as Central Spiritual Practice in Eastern Religions

This has always been a central element of the spiritual practices of Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. When you are training to become an initiate in any of the Eastern faiths you must learn the skills of lucid dreaming.

The Spiritual Benefits According to Eastern Philosophy

1. The truth of who you really are and your personal reality expand. Personal limitations dissolve, and you have a sense of being more in control of your personal destiny.
2. Intuition and imagination during waking hours are noticeably increased.
3. Can be regarded as a spiritual evolutionary process, a step toward remembering who you are, and what your true destiny is.

Techniques and Training Exercises to Lucid Dreaming

1. As you are falling asleep, say, “Tonight I am aware and conscious that I am dreaming.” Repeat the phrase “I am dreaming” several times before retiring for the night.
2. When you are dreaming remember to look at your hands. (Carlos Castaneda)
3. Give yourself a task to perform in your dream.
4. Breathe yourself to sleep and stay aware of your breath.

Dream Gazing

Allow yourself while awake to become very relaxed (self hypnosis, deep meditation) – then simply imagine a dream. Create any dream you like, allowing it to be as unpredictable as one that would occur during sleep.
You can interpret these dreams using the same techniques.

Keys to Soul Development

Soul is about love and unity, ego is about individuality and division, soul is spirit, ego is materialism
Divine Energy flows through you, not from you.
Detach from outcome, results, the material.
Accept Death.
Embrace Life’s Tests.
Temper your ego – words like “special”, “talented”, “unique” – this is why marketing yourself as a spiritualist is a nightmare!
Address Your Mistakes.
Actively meditate – become more mindful in everything you do, think, feel, believe
Love your body – the Soul lives in the body
Regenerate your soul
Waste no time which really means be cognizant of what you are doing when and why.

With Lucid Dreaming You are Inviting Ego to Soul’s Party

So if you make the decision to embrace lucid dreaming know these lessons well. Your are inviting Ego to Soul’s Party. Make sure your ego is prepared to play by Soul’s rules.

Ego must serve Soul not the other way around. The dark side of Soul just might be constellated to teach Ego a lesson.

Soul will say: “Oh you want to be in charge? Okay let me give you MY power too.”

Soul’s Dark Side

No moral compass (the Emperor and the Hierophant). (Love everyone and everything the same).
Fearlessness. Fear is a great friend! Others and their concerns get minimized. “Petty” is the word of choice for the dark side of Soul.