Have you ever experienced a dream that felt incredibly lifelike, yet within the dream, you became aware that you were actually dreaming?
Lucid dreaming is where the dreamer is aware they are dreaming and can often control the dream. According to several studies, lucid dreaming can help with rewiring the brain, getting answers while connecting to the dream world and higher intelligence within us, healing the body, and connecting to ancestors and deceased loved ones. For some, Lucid Dreaming comes naturally. For most, it takes time and practice to get to the state of true Lucid Dreams. Check out the methods.
Psychological & Cognitive Benefits
Studies have demonstrated that lucid dreaming offers various psychological advantages to individuals:
Improves creative problem-solving abilities
Contributes to an increase in self-assurance
Lucid dreaming enables the exploration of solutions in a safe setting and can enhance self-esteem and confidence levels through the successful manipulation of dreams.
Emotional healing can also take place for past trauma as confronting and overcoming fears or past traumas in a controlled dream environment can be therapeutic.
Engaging in pleasant activities during lucid dreaming can aid in managing stress by decreasing stress levels and enhancing one's mood.
This fascinating phenomena promotes mindfulness and self-awareness, which can carry over into waking life. It can also improve memory by practicing to recall dreams and enhance awareness in a dream state that can improve memory skills.
Physical Benefits
Dreaming is medicine for the body and if we are able to direct this energy consciously not only we can heal bodily injuries, we can also improve performance during waking life. There are several studies that have shown athletes were able to improve their performance by 9% when engaged in lucid dreaming and improved endurance and strength. Some people report improved sleep quality and a more restful night's sleep when they engage in lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming can be used to manage and alleviate chronic pain by redirecting focus and perception within the dream.
Imagine if we could use lucid dreaming during our meditation practices and focus on the things we want to improve physically or emotionally!
Method for practicing Lucid Dreaming
There are multiple steps to practice to help you master this art and develop the skill to lucid dream.
Start a dream journal and write down everything you can remember including colors, feelings, sounds, etc.
Regularly ask yourself whether you are dreaming throughout the day. Common reality checks include looking at your hands, trying to push your finger through your palm, or checking the time twice to see if it changes unexpectedly.
Review your journal regularly to enhance memory of the dreams and also keep looking for dream signs
Before falling asleep, instead of watching TV or counting sheep, repeat a phrase like "I will realize I am dreaming" or “I will be conscious in my dream” as you fall asleep to reinforce the intention of becoming lucid.
Imagine yourself becoming lucid in a recent dream or a dream you would like to have.
Wake up after about 4-6 hours of sleep, stay awake for 20-30 minutes, and then go back to sleep with the intention of having a lucid dream. This method takes advantage of the increased REM sleep during the latter part of the night.
Use devices that provide external stimuli (like flashing lights or sounds) to signal when you are dreaming, helping to trigger lucidity.
Regular meditation can improve focus and awareness, making it easier to recognize when you are dreaming.
Mantra meditations to help when sleeping:
On average, we spend 26 years of our lives sleeping. All research and studies regarding lucid dreaming point-out to evidence that this practice can enhance our physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being. So isn’t it time to pay a little more attention to this phenomena and enhance the quality of our lives as a side effect and perhaps incorporate it in our meditation practices?
Much Love and Light to you!
Light Bringer
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