83 83/100: DREAM.TXT Name: Belladonna #2 @5413 Date: Sat Jun 15 07:55:05 1991 From: The 286 Express PIN (Louisiana) The following essay was originally a post I made on the WWIVNet sub "Shamanism Druidism American Indian" in response to another user asking how to remember dreamms. Later, I extracted it, added to it and clarified it. THis essay in no way attempts to tell all there is to tell about the art of dreaming; many books have been written on this. I have, however, attempted to summarize the main ideas. ----- There are several disciplines one can practice to remember dreams. Some of the easier and more effective disciplines are keeping a dream diary and meditating right before going to sleep; in this meditation one asks for a dream. There are also certain stones one can use, and certain dietary modifications one can make. If anyone out there knows of any other disciplines which are reasonably easy and effective besides the ones I mention, please add them in. [PAUSE] Dreams are important in many mystical and magickal studies all over the world, because dreams are an easily accessible gateway between the spirit world and the material world. Of particular note is the "big dream". This term, "big dream" is the English approximation for the names given a certain type of dream in various traditions in various places in the world. All dreams deserve study; not just the big dreams. The dream diary is a notebook kept by the bed, with a pen handy. A felt-tip marker works well, as it is easy to handle when you're half-asleep and the light in the room is very dim. Immeditately on waking, write down the last thing you remmeber. Then the thing before that, and before that, etc. Then, go over it again, writing down any details that come to mind. You can also write interpretations that come to mind, if you want. Record all dreams, not just the "big dreams". Big dreams are relatively rare. They seem more real than ordinary dreams, clearer and more important. Often they contain insights, teachings, or missions. They may contain music, chanting, or rhythm; if ever you receive music in a dream, accept it as a precious gift. Write it down, if you know a system of musical notation, otherwise sing or hum it into a tape recorder. Don't think you'll never forget the music; as the day goes by, you will forget, and waste a precious gift, if you don't write it down or preserve it on tape in some way. Some people prefer to use a tape recorder by the bedside in place of a notebook for a dream diary, but I prefer the notebook since it adds a little discipline. Discipline is sorely [PAUSE] lacking in modern society. Be sure to give thanks for any big dreams you recieve, or any gifts (insights, teaching, music, etc) you recieve thru dreams. Thank the Divine Principle and your personal guardian/teacher spirits in whatever manner seems appropriate. To develop lucid dreaming, develop a habit of asking yourself, many times thru the day, "am I dreaming?" Then test to see if you are. The test is, if you are dreaming, anything you think of will immediately manifest. If you are awake, things you think of will manifest much more slowly, or not at all (unless you concentrate purposefully and are gifted in this area). This habit will carry over to your dream life. When you ask "am I dreaming?" and you are, you will become lucid. At this point, you may do fun things like fly, visit other worlds, solve problems, call and speak to your spiritual guardians and teachers, etc. Remember that you are dreaming, you can do whatever you want and nothing can hurt you. If you reach a barrier, try to find a way around the barrier, or thru a crack or thin spot in it. Some teachings on the art of achieveing the lucid dream state suggest that you test "am I dreaming" by trying to fly. But a little thought cautions against this. If you try too hard to fly when you are awake, you could get hurt very badly, and if you make a half-hearted attempt to fly when you are dreaming, you may not be successful. So the test I suggested, to see how quickly your thoughts materialize, if at all, is a much safer test. [PAUSE] Right before going to sleep, lie flat on your back on the bed, spine straight and body relaxed. Breathe deeply and rhythmically until you feel your consciousness alter. Then, concentrate on what you want to dream about. Command yourself to remember your dreams. If possible, go to sleep in this position, flat on your back with spine straight and body relaxed. If you are doing any serious dream-work, ask your spouse, roommate, family members, etc, not to wake you unless for a very serious reason. It can be quite frustrating to achieve lucidity, and fly, or chat with a spirit - guide, or defeat your fears, or whatever, only to be awakened for some frivolous reason! In some traditions it is even said to be detrimental to one's health if one is awakened while s/he is doing heavy dream-work. For this reason, it is best to plan your heavier dream-work for weekends or whenever you don't have to get up early. Generally, dreams are private affairs. You may be temmpted to speak of a dream, but this is generally not a good idea, although occaisionally you may speak of a "big dream", when asking for someone to help you interpret it, or if the dream gives you a message which is meant to be shared. The dream diary is an assist to keeping this silence. Silence builds power and wisdom. Certain dietary modifications can facilitate dreaming. Avoid heavy meals [PAUSE] right before going to bed; also curtail use of drugs or alchohol including caffeine. Certain stones help dreaming. These stones may be worn on your body as jewelry or in a pouch around your neck, or, if this is not possible, kept in a pouch under your pillow or hanging on your bedpost. Some stones that come to mind are amber, herkimer diamond, turquoise, amethyst, and fossils, especially coiled shell fossils. There are others but these come to mind most readily and, except for the amber, are not difficult to obtain. Anyone else out there have any others they like to use for dreams? That's about all that comes to mind for helping dreaming. There are many boooks and articles on this. Western civilization is beginning to realise what our cousins in traditional cultures have always known; dreams can be an important gateway to spirit, and we should pay attention to them and help them to come. And when we get a dream, especially a big dream, give thanks! The above essay was originally a post on a WWIV net sub. If anyone has any comments, please address them to me, Belladonna, 2 @ 5413. [PAUSE] Read:(1-100,^83),? :