Joyful Dreaming
Lucid Dreaming – For The Fun of It
In 1902, in England, Hugh Calloway (aka Oliver Fox) discovered lucid dreaming*. This is a form of dreaming many discover spontaneously on their own, and others read about, study, practice and work to master. Lucid dreaming is the hybrid dream state in which one is conscious he or she is dreaming, and so has the combined benefits of the malleable dreamscape and the ability to exercise volition to explore the dream as s/he wishes. Fox was 16 when he stumbled into lucid territory. I was about the same age when I first discovered lucid dreaming. Calloway, a student of science and electrical engineering, reported that the quality of his dream changed once he became lucid. One thing that changed in my lucid dreams was I discovered how joyful dreaming could be.
Here’s Calloway’s report of what happened when he “woke up” within his dreams:
“Instantly the vividness of life increased a hundred-fold. Never had sea and sky and trees shone with such glamorous beauty; even the commonplace houses seemed alive and mystically beautiful. Never had I felt so absolutely well, so clear-brained, so inexpressively free! The sensation was exquisite beyond words; but it lasted only a few minutes and I awoke.”*
*excerpted and adapted from “Our Dreaming Mind” by Robert Van De Castle
In ordinary dreaming people describe anxiety and fear among the most common emotions experienced. But in lucid dreams, one often achieves states of bliss, joy, and delight seemingly unattainable in wake life.
Just the other night, I became lucid in a dream. A dream guide led me to a section of ground that was spongy and textured. I lay down on that ground and felt utter delight and playfulness as I rocked back and forth experiencing pure fun and pleasure.
The guide I met in the dream had been sent to help me with some problem or other. As I was playing in the dreamscape he said apologetically, “Sorry, Tzivia, that’s all I can do for you.” I laughed in response. Whatever help I might have thought of asking of him: Help with money, love, or work … no longer mattered. “This is enough!” I replied.
Awake I realize how much help this dream guide truly did bestow on me. So often I (and perhaps you, too) focus on all the problems that need to be solved in my life. The dream was a reminder that in the midst of our difficulties we can drop down and play, delight, experience joy, focus on happiness.
When joy is all the world can give — it is certainly enough.
zzZZzzZZzz
Continue reading to enjoy more posts about Lucid Dreaming:
Finding Celia Green, a Female Forebear in the World of Lucid Dreams
Substack
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Wow . . . I wish I could have a lucid dream 🙂 Thank you for sharing all this information. And thank you for your lovely insight at the end – that even amidst all the troubles and the busyness of life we can “drop down and play, delight, experience joy, focus on happiness”. That’s something we could all do with remembering.
Hi Karyn, I’m sure you CAN have a lucid dream. It just takes a little practice 🙂 Here’s a post about my adventures in trying (and often failing) at getting lucid. It’s worth the effort 🙂
Happy dreaming!
Oops … here’s the link to the post I mentioned above: http://allthesnoozethatsfittoprint.wordpress.com/2010/09/22/many-ways-to-achieve-lucidity-and-not/
This was really interesting. I didn’t know there existed lucid dreaming, actually, i didn’t know it was called that way, but I suspect I do perfectly know it exists! So I shall look for some more informations about all this, thanks for opening up this door.
By the way, I very, very seldomly recall dreams, even though I know I dream a lot! But when I have memories, it’s almost always pleasant and with me having some awareness over what happens.
Joy is indeed in simple things, now I need some bubble making as soon as possible!
Have a great day…. 🙂
Hi Gisella, Thank you for your comment! Lucid dreaming is a lot of fun. Your comment reminds me that it’s time for me to post something new about “how to” get lucid. In the meantime you can look at this post for more info: http://allthesnoozethatsfittoprint.wordpress.com/2010/09/22/many-ways-to-achieve-lucidity-and-not/
Happy dreaming!
that is a good reminder, thank you.
i think i may get it. lucid dreaming is kind of tangible? it happens i have a dream which i can almost grasp, very physical too.
joy, for sure!
n♥
Reblogged this on All the Snooze That's Fit to Print and commented:
Dreaming of Joy! Here’s an uplifting post from the archives to get you smiling … Enjoy!