Lucid dreaming is a state of mind where a person becomes aware that they are dreaming and are able to take control of their dream. This means that they are able to manipulate the dream environment, interact with the dream characters, and even alter the outcome of the dream. The concept of lucid dreaming has been around for centuries and has been a subject of interest for spiritual practitioners, researchers, and even common people.
One of the methods of dream yoga, a spiritual practice that involves the cultivation of awareness during sleep, is to meditate once you realize you are in a dream. The technique involves withdrawing your attention from the dream and practicing various techniques such as adjusting your eyes. This process can lead to a state of sleep that is more like emptiness, where the dream doesn't have any special properties or characters.
However, for some people who have pursued lucid dreaming with the intention of understanding their true nature, the experience has been quite different. They have had experiences that were much more meaningful and fulfilling. These individuals first had to work through their personal issues and accept any shadow figures or nightmares that they came across in their dreams. The idea is to befriend or accept these figures rather than avoiding them.
Frederick from Dayton, who is credited with coining the term “lucid dreaming” back in 1910, described having a series of lucid dreams in which he would float in the clouds, feeling blissful and transcended. However, he also had dreams in which he was followed by demons who would mock his pretended holiness. Frederick realized that his reaction to the demons was turning them into a part of himself that he was disowning, which was the reason why they were mocking him. This led him to conclude that not everything in our dreams comes from our own minds.
The idea of astral projection and the belief that these entities are out there to get you is a very destructive notion. Instead, the idea is to transform the demons into angels. These entities are messengers of wholeness and if you accept them, they will transform. By saying that you want to get rid of them, you give them power.
In conclusion, lucid dreaming is a fascinating state of mind that can offer a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. By accepting and befriending the shadow figures in your dreams, you can transform them into messengers of wholeness. The goal is to embrace all aspects of reality, including the negative ones, in order to achieve a state of wholeness and transcendence.
Images Sources (and Sorry I forgot to include it prior, Delayed because of flight):
The Images were created by the Author using Publicly Available Tools like photopea.com (similar to photoshop but open and online) and Playgroundai.com (or similar tools, not everything is entirely generated, art included may have generated assets in it from that source).