Balance September 2017 - 42

LIVING THE DREAM

TIPS TO START
LUCID
DREAMING

THE BENEFITS
There are so many benefits to lucid dreaming,
but in a nutshell, once you become conscious
within your unconscious mind, you can
optimise the functioning of your body and
mind while you sleep. A few psychological
benefits of lucid dreaming are:
Skills rehearsal: Fully lucid dreams can
feel as real as waking life. In fact, they're so
realistic our brain functions as if we're awake
and happily lays down neural pathways, which
scientists have proved allow us to learn and get
better at things we practise in a lucid dream.
Yes, really. Studies from Heidelberg University
have shown that athletes who intentionally
practised their athletic discipline in their lucid
dreams got better at it in the waking state.
Overcoming phobias: The fact that the brain's
neural pathways can be affected during lucid
dreaming means overcoming a fear, moving
through a psychological block or integrating
a shadow aspect in a lucid dream is not like
dreaming it, it's like doing it. Fears and phobias
can be integrated through facing them in the
virtual reality simulation of the lucid dream
through which we can make lasting changes.
Nocturnal mindfulness: Engaging in spiritual
practice while asleep is the main aim of lucid

42

1. DON'T WAIT
Many people try to recall
their dreams after the dream
has happened. This often
doesn't work very well. It's
better to set your intention
to recall your dreams before
you start dreaming.

2. I WILL REMEMBER
As you fall asleep, recite the
suggestion 'tonight, I will
remember my dreams.
Tonight I have excellent
dream recall.' This simple
method can be profoundly
effective for dream amnesia.

3. IT TAKES TIME
Some people remember
their dreams naturally; for
others, it may take days or
even weeks of mental effort.
Whatever the state of your
current dream recall, work
with what you have. Even if
you can only recall a little,
that's a great start.

4. WRITE THEM DOWN
Once you have begun to
remember your dreams,
start keeping a dream diary
and then search for patterns
such as always dreaming
about talking animals or
a particular person.

5. TRAIN YOUR MIND
When you have noticed a
recurring pattern you can
create a lucidity trigger such
as 'the next time I see talking
animals, I know I'm dreaming'
to recite over and over
before bed. When you next
have such a dream, you may
well realise you are dreaming!

BA LA N CE September 2017

dreaming within Tibetan Buddhism but
nowadays, mindfulness practitioners have
been using it, too. Through lucid dreaming we
get to truly know ourselves from within, and
to become more mindfully aware in all states
of day and night. This has also been shown to
dramatically enhance waking state mindfulness.
Physical healing: Research has shown that a
very powerful placebo effect can be engaged
from within the lucid dream allowing people
to maximise their healing response to some
ailments. Everything from ear infections, to
sports injuries have reportedly been treated
through lucid dreaming.
As you can see, the scope of lucid dreaming
is huge. It allows you to unlock the powerful
potential of your unconscious mind, while
you sleep - for if you sleep, you dream, and
if you dream, you can lucid dream. Whether
you sleep in the park or the palace, lucid
dreaming is available to you. It is your birthright.
Unrestricted by censorship or state control,
limited only by the relationship with your own
inner state, lucid dreaming offers a taste of
true freedom. If properly cultivated, lucidity
training may become one of the century's
greatest advancements in psychological
self-development. Its growth is vast and yet at
present we are barely scratching the surface.
But let us continue scratching and moving
deeper into a spiritual practice that might just
change the way you view life. B
Charlie's new book Dreaming Through
Darkness (£12.99, Hay House) is out now.
For more information, see charliemorley.com

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES

THE SCOPE OF
LUCID DREAMING
IS HUGE. IT ALLOWS
YOU TO UNLOCK
THE POWERFUL
POTENTIAL OF
YOUR UNCONSCIOUS
MIND WHILE
YOU SLEEP

Remembering your dreams
is the first step to lucid
dreaming. Science tells us
everybody has dreams every
night, but we don't all
remember them. If you
don't, it's probably because
you've never really tried to.
http://www.charliemorley.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance September 2017
