6 Benefits of Lucid Dreaming & Dream Yoga

To be exploring your dreams is to be working with your mind. Lucid dreaming happens when you realize that you’re dreaming as it’s happening. You may reall films like Dream yoga occurs when you use this lucidity for your own practice. Dream Yoga, rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, allows us to “hack into the previously unconscious” and use our dreams to transform our waking lives. Wonder if this is worth exploring further?  Consider 6 benefits of lucid dreaming and dream yoga;

1. Extend our meditation practice into our sleeping hours

Buddhist teachings on emptiness and the alleviation of suffering, offer clues. We suffer because we take things to be real.  We suffer in direct proportion to how solid or unchanging we take the contents of our mind to be.  Dream yoga teachings gets to the heart of the matter. This can be confrontational yet, it shows us how we create our own suffering based on our beliefs in solid and heavy, and what is real. The removal of suffering is a direct effect of seeing the world as dreamlike. We use our study of night-time dreams to understand the mechanics of our suffering and happiness in the so-called daytime dream.

2.  Help manage nightmares

If we’re freaking out in the middle of a nightmare and we can wake up to the fact that we’re dreaming, then we can relieve suffering. We realize it isn’t real. That is being lucid. If we wake up to the fact that the contents of our mind are not as solid as we make them to be, then we see them as illusory. This is a process of awakening.

3. Better understand nightmares

To know nightmares on a mental level differs from the feeling and visceral level. Nightmares echo fragmented or disowned aspects of ourselves.  We’ve refused part of our experience. During a nightmare, these rejected aspects of our being are calling back for attention and reintegration. That’s why they’re chasing us. When we run away from them, we continue to keep them alive. That’s why people have recurring nightmares. The nightmare arises, and instead of relating to it, seeing it as it is, we run.  Instead of running, we can stop, turn around, and look directly at the monster. When we do, several things can happen. The monster may disappear, or it will stop and dissolve into us. By facing the monster, or by facing our demons, we can reintegrate these fragmented aspects of ourselves and absorb the nightmare.  This has big impact in our waking lives.

4. Uncover deeper Truth

There are relative truths to many of our dreams. Freud once said “an uninterpreted dream is like an unopened letter.” The unconscious mind is frequently sending us teachings and messages in dreams and nightmares.  Lucid dreaming can transform sleep into a window to the deeper realities. Yet, we often experience dreams as unreal. We can do things in dreams we do not in waking reality, like fly. 

One of the reasons we don’t seem to have the same capabilities in waking reality as in dreams is because we take waking reality to be real. When you truly wake up, the waking world is just as real (or just as unreal) as the dream world. You start to see that the waking state is basically no different from the dream state. It’s the mind expressing itself in two different mediums.  We make this so-called waking reality more real than our dreaming reality. When the world is seen as illusory, the ego freaks out. It has nothing to stand on. Therefore it sees waking reality as real and the dream world as unreal.  The basic charter of these practices is to see the one taste of all these different dimensions of the mind so we’re no longer privileging one state over another. We have a very powerful prejudice toward waking consciousness. This is the source of lots of problems.

5. Explore the relevance of spiritual bypassing 

Spiritual bypassing here refers to nihilism.  This frequently arises as the near enemy when one asserts that reality is just a dream. Saying reality is just a dream is very dismissive. On one level, that level of dismissiveness is what we’re after. We’re trying to dismiss the imputed validity of reified waking reality. In that regard, dismissal is appropriate. An erroneous interpretation of this is a thought that sounds like, “If it’s all just a dream, who cares what I do?” With that mentality, you do not choose to be a conscious creator. There’s no compassion or social activism. There’s just apathy. You must realize it’s a subtle trap, and ego can default into that. When we’re working with these practices, there are all these subtle traps that ego will find. The proof you may be seeking is found through your own diligence and what is revealed through your direct experience.

6.  Prepare us to experience a lucid death

According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, dream yoga came about largely as a preparation for death. Padmasambhava [the 8th century Indian teacher who brought Buddhism to Tibet] once allegedly said that if we can maintain lucidity in our dream state seven times—in other words, if we can maintain lucidity with some constancy in the dream state—we can have a lucid death experience.

What the traditions put forth is that when we die, our lucidity or "bardo" awareness  (the in-between state after death and before rebirth] will be directly proportional to our lucidity in the dream state. This, in turn, is directly proportional to our lucidity in the meditative state.  Dream yoga is important because it empowers not only our dream practice, but also our meditation practice. The biggest reason we’re not lucid in our dreams is that we’re not lucid to contents of our mind during the day. That is incredibly important. So many studies have shown that meditators have more lucid dreams. If you practice meditation during the day and develop lucidity or awareness of the contents of your mind, that naturally expresses itself as increased lucidity in the dream state. The tradition then goes one step further to say that type of lucidity also transfers to a lucid bardo experience.

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It is important to recognize that huge resistance can come up for people when attempting lucid dreaming and dream yoga practices. Why?

The ego has a bias toward its version of awake reality. People fear some of these nocturnal practices as they’re afraid of the dark. Ego is simply keeping up its defences. Darkness is a code word for ignorance. Nighttime is an archetype of that ignorance for many people who prefer to stay in the dark.  Every time we go to sleep or get lost in monkey mind, ego is recharging its samsaric batteries. Not everybody wants to engage in dream yoga, because it will show us just how far we’re willing to go to wake up. Ego exists in the darkness of ignorance.  When we try to penetrate it with nocturnal dream practices, part of us that just doesn’t want to go there. 

In conclusion, lucid dreaming and dream yoga practices are not designed for everybody. They’re a little more advanced and require discipline. They are subtle and deep. People may wonder, why bother? While these practices are not all that easy, they are potentially more transformative, aswe are dealing more directly with the very roots of our ignorance. When we engage in these practices, it concerns the very tectonic plates of our existence.

 Our Astral, Lucid and Dream Yoga Course begins November 3rd.  Contact us for further information.

Dream Analysis of the Week- Destruction Series

Dream Series:

In the first vivid dream, I see my husband abandoning me for someone else.  I feel the deepest pain.

In the second dream, i see from high above the great wave of water coming on the town. I think how to help when water is already flooding everything. My view is far higher than some high building/mountain looking down.

In the third dream, the vision of some kind of construct. On the both sides they were like flat Earth planes and than many planets on both sides and something in between.This middle space i cannot recall. 

Insight:

In a nutshell, the theme of separation is presented in examples on personal, planetary and cosmic levels.  At each level, the perspective is from a different level of the Sun- the inner sun or sacred heart, the cosmic sun and galactic sun.  At each level, resistance presents to change.   Moving through 5 key wounds (rejection, abandonment, humiliation, injustice, betrayal) and healing is the path to love, acceptance, wholeness. The god Shiva is to be united with Shakti.  Life or Earth re-balances or recalibrates. Peace arises at each level. 

The body-mind complex (pindanda) means microcosm while the word Brahmanda means macrocosm. We often hear the phrase, 'whatever is there in the microcosm is also there in the macrocosm'.

Another way of seeing here reminds us all humans have centres of energy also called Chakras. An Yogi can by mantra japa pierce these Chakras in the sushumna nadi inside his spine. The question is how does an Yogi benefit from piercing these Chakras. Well, turns out that these Chakras in the human body-mind complex (pindanda) have their correspondence in the cosmic Lokas or planes. As the Yogi ascends chakra by chakra, he passes through the corresponding Lokas. Sir John Woodroffe in his book, 'The Serpent Power', presents the following table that shows the correspondence:

• Muladhara Bhuvarloka
• Svadhisthana Svarloka
• Manipura Maharloka
• Anahata Janaloka
• Visuddhi TapalokaAjna Satya or Brahm
• aloka (One who attains to Sahasrara goes beyond all Lokas.)

Turns out, 'whatever is in the macrocosm is in the microcosm' is not seen as scientific truth. We are not made of dark matter or dark energy. What surprises a Yogi as he keeps piercing each chakra is that the human being is built similar to the plan of the universe or the cosmos. This is why the Yogi by leading his shakti to each Chakra can access the equivalent loka of the 14-loka universe. There is no way a priori that any body could have predicted that. This similarity of the microcosm with the macrocosm at the deepest level is the surprise. Just as the universe is built of 14-lokas or planes, so are we. Whatever we have is also there in the universe.

We offer detailed Dream Consultations on single and multiple dreams and we also offer an Astral, Lucid & Dream Yoga course.  Contact us.

Recall the Truth of Yoga

Image: visionary sacred geometry by David Diamondheart

Notice social media leads many people to assume yoga is about challenging postures and physical fitness. As it happens, yoga is not really about bending and twisting the body, holding breath, mudras. Much of yoga images in popular culture overlook the surface is a pointer. Yoga itself is a path, timeless technology. It guides us to a state where reality reveals itself through us. We come to ground what is larger than us, cosmic consciousness, the innate connection of mind, body, spirit. It is not about hiding self-rejection, seeking to be what we are not already. It is a journey of surrender, love, acceptance.

In fact, it dawns, every subatomic particle in the body is always interacting with everything else in the universe. If this cosmic flow stops, we cease to exist. So, yoga is to know the union of existence by direct experience. We gain insight during meditation until existence itself is a state of meditation and altered states are what we experience when we forget or move away from the vibration of yoga. To hear “God is everywhere,” or “Everything is one energy,” is heresay until awakening. We are each a 1000 petal lotus or golden flower opening to the Truth.

As we practice yoga, we start at the point of harmony or disharmony we are vibrating in mind, body and spirit. The breath guides us into presence in this moment. Yoga is the process of moving towards an experiential reality where one knows the ultimate nature of existence, how it forms, shifts, changes, that one is an intricate part. The term 'Yoga' implies a complete path in and of itself. It is like the hero's journey, coming full circle, letting go of beliefs, all you outgrow.

So, some observe yoga is about breaking patterns, cycles, building flexibility, getting fit, liberating ourselves from the limitation of memory. These views certainly have value. People may initially find yoga as it offers health benefits, is a means to reduce stress, balance biochemistry. Its physical and mental benefits are well-known. One can experience remarkable changes, know peace, joy, feel more balanced, even accelerate rehabilitation from injury. And there are many people who miraculously heal from chronic ailments in part from yoga. And yet, none of it is the essential nature of yoga.

The basic point of Yoga is to shift life experience from ego-driven pursuits to an all-inclusive, soul-guided one. Instead of being an individual, we come to feel part of an ongoing universal process. The result of shifts in consciousness blows the mind away.

In the ancient ways of yoga teaching, the physical dimensions of yoga were presented as aligning this human system to cosmic geometry. To be in perfect alignment removes friction. Internal friction means you are working against yourself; you are an issue or in conflict with yourself. So long as inner tug of war exists, peace seems out of reach. Everything is stressful. As you commit to more worldly pursuits, challenges multiply endlessly.

Turns out, comic wisdom echoes our own body, mind, emotions and energy work with us, not against us. As these four aspects are aligned, suddenly this body- mind creates miracles beyond our wildest dreams. What for us is normal, ordinary, appears extraordinary or superhuman. Whether it is business, personal , physical or other endeavours, our level of efficiency, deep understanding and flow magnify based on power of intention. Truth is, the key to everything is aligning with sacred geometry of existence. It all comes back to vibrating in harmony with cosmic symbols.

Decode physical injury

Notice every moment, infinite opportunities exist to ground the soul in this world, to make the unconscious, conscious, reinforce confidence in our abilities. At times, we get bruises from little bumps in life, to our ego/ pride or physical body. Each is a subtle reminder of any lingering self-punishment we are ready to let go.  Recently injured my big toe. Love tuning into intuitive messages.

Almost everyone can relate to unconscious injuries as we cannot consciously self-harm. In life, our feet are on the front line. Sometimes it feels we take two steps forward, three steps back. The spiritual vibe of foot issues refers to current life situation or direction, its like soul reflecting on the nature of the 'right' path.

In the wider world, feet literally carry us through. They support our weight, guide us to find balance, and are the means to ground our soul growth. Physical pain can echo growing pain or resistance to soul growth. If you have ever broken or stubbed toes, twisted an ankle, ripped a ligament, it dawns the physical issue and forced pause is a gift pointing to something else. Level of consciousness echoes what is most relevant to each of us.. There are no accidents, only synchronicities.

As mysterious pain arises, body parts are speaking to us. Our feet allow us to get around. Put one foot in front of the other, and we get somewhere. Physical injury stops us in our tracks, forces us to slow down. If not feet, could be hands, fingers, or another body area. Sometimes we resist changes soul knows are best for us that don’t feel good to ego. Whatever prompts change is a gift. We are invited to savour the blessings in our midst. We may be processing feelings like grief or anger around unwanted change. Maybe you fear not being supported ? Ultimately what matters is trusting, supporting ourselves in our own surrender.

You may wonder if you are asking too much of yourself or pushing self forward when you do not feel ready for something. To question whether we may take on too much responsibility, it may be that we are are ready to redefine responsibility. Such questions we can only answer for ourselves.

Recall the idea that "God never puts us in a situation he doesn't think we cannot handle, though sometimes we wish he didn't trust us so much." The soul and ego are at odds only until it dawns they are both on the path to realize the same thing.

Turns out paradise is not found by resisting discomfort or rejecting unwanted parts of self. We are in process of rewriting eons of false narratives we created and embedded in our bones, muscles, fascia, connective tissue, ligaments, cells. With perfect timing, what are initially viewed as injuries or negative events suddenly echo a healthy energetic recalibration process, so we evolve or rebuild from the inside out, and finally see boundaries and problems only exist in mind.

Being centred is key

Notice if we are truly committed to soul growth, this requires we shift our full, conscious attention in this direction. Wherever we focus in this world creates problems or distrubance until we recall our true relationship to energy and all things. Yet, what is it to devote ourself to our evolving relationship with self?

Contrary to popular belief, evolution does not necessarily require living in solitude in a remote place, leaving a job or family, though such experiences may be part of our journey. In truth, evolution happens as we prioiritize our liberation from illusion, decide to be conscious of our reactions/ responses to all things. See triggers as gifts to move though them. If the external happens to irritate us, evoke fear, negativity, imbalance, we accept this points to what is going on inside us. If people are talking and it bothers us, then we realize disturbance is within us. This is taking responsibility for our thoughts and feelings and recognizing power is within to direct every moment of our lives.

A being intent on spiritual grow uses every moment for this purpose. Its not only during scheduled meditation or spiritual practice. To sense energy is to realize wherever we are, we attract or repulse everything in our experience. We tend to look past what feels neutral to what evokes pain or pleasure, want to minimize pain and maximize pleasure. We are disturbed, experience pleasure through attraction or overlook things. Ponder why so many things are neutral. Within those moments, a peaceful relationship exists. There is nothing to do abouti it. Thing is, balanced states tend not to last long. Our conditioned habit is to push things away or cling to things we attract to stay balanced. Whatever we are constantly working on is not us. Problems and solutions are not us. Yet they take most attention. The spiritual journey is about shifting away from that to neutrality.

Yoga is about turning all this upside down. It helps us realize that only working with ourselves can change our external conditions. It is not about touching our toes but what we learn about us through the course of our practice. As opposed to what is widely taught, we cannot change 'life' by focusing on the external. Why?

A closer look reveals focusing on the external is giving our power away. The external solves itself when we work on ourselves. Life is energy simply passing by and we are at peace with it. All of life is beautiful. If we think something right or wrong with life, then judgment is within us about us. People are the way they are. Situations are the way they are. We are honoured to be here with it all. There is a dance of energy unfolding. Watch what happens when there is no attempt to control things. Put whole heart and soul into whatever is before us. What enables us to experience life as it is not on what we define it to be. All of life exist to free us from our own self-created limitation and illusions.

So, work on our inner selves can happen every moment. Until we understand what takes us out of the peace evoked in meditation, then we will not be able to prolong that experience. Pay attention. Watch what is coming up in you. Join the dots. Ebbs and flows of inner tides prevent us from being at peace. True spiritual growth is the revelation that we are working on ourselves every moment of every day and not simply when we are meditating.

Most people can maintain consciousness and balance in a relaxed situation. The key is to be aware of what draws us out of that state. How do we stay centred, come what may? Shift focus inward to how we are responding to life, relationships, situations. Enter a room and participate in interactions, keep the continuity of experience and leave still centred. The purpose of any event is never the event, it is what happens to you when you are interacting before, during and after a situation and how we grow to remain calm and centred.