Transcending the Dream State

**crypticcello** · 05-22-2014 09:14 PM

Not so long ago I struggled with my dreams. It seemed that the more I tried, the more I failed, and various techniques for lucid dreaming resulted only in sporadic success or losing precious sleep.

Recently have I begun to see that my struggling with the dream state was exactly why it has eluded me. It seems the more I push, the more it resists, leading to nothing more than wasted effort and poor quality of sleep.

Out of mild frustration, I decided to give lucid dreaming a break, and so I began with a new technique that I intended as a way to be more restful rather than active while I slept. To my surprise, I found that my previously horrid ability to recall my dreams at once fell away, and my dreams were greatly extended. In only a couple of weeks I found that I was having more lucid dreams than I usually have in a month, and they were much longer.

It started with a realization that the dream state is a natural thing, and not something that I need to strive for. At times I would lay back to clear my mind, without intending to sleep, and I noticed I began to enter a dreamy state immediately. Flashes of scenes, brief noises and phrases, and physical sensations bubbled to the surface. These phenomena I know can be classified as hypnagogic imagery, or the onset of dreams. It then became obvious that I had been trying too hard to achieve this state.

My method is very simple, but as you may have heard, the simplest solution is often the best. The sole requirement is a discarding of all beliefs and preconceptions about dreaming. Then all that is needed is to lie down, get comfortable, and quiet all of the thoughts that have been racing through your mind throughout the day. This might be difficult for some, but with a small amount of practice it can be achieved with minimal effort. In fact, the key is not to try at all. Just observe.

The next step is to surrender to that state; no matter how much your mind wishes to churn about, keep relaxed. This process of transcending the mind happens naturally every night, but we usually aren't aware of it. This is where I found I had been going about it wrong. Instead of trying to enter a dream or focusing on your intentions, just be aware. As your mind makes its effortless transition, do not try to direct it in any way. Be aware of what is happening, but that is all.

As I have said, I did not intend for this method to be a way to enhance my dreams. But I think it makes perfect sense that letting the process happen naturally is far more effective than intellectualizing it too much. Of course, this method is not by any means a flawless way to have lucid dreams; it is merely a means of embracing the natural process of falling asleep. With time, however, it is easy to train your awareness so that you may always know the difference between a dream and your waking life. Just know that this will come naturally.

Remember, any intention or preconception you have before going into this will stifle your success, as will any attempt to focus on or direct the state into a lucid dream. Let it come naturally and, chances are, you will be happy with the results.

Good luck!

**DreamHighlander** · 05-23-2014 10:08 AM

I also do this. This has provided my with great WILDs. I just lay in bed thinking of nothing. Just relaxing. Then, some imagery appears and i just look at them. A few seconds after i'm entering a dream.

**Sageous** · 05-23-2014 04:11 PM

This is interesting, but I hope you won't mind if I ask a couple of questions:

First, I'm not clear about where you're transcending the dream state, per your thread's title. Were you just using the phrase to name your method, and the transcendence is becoming lucid? If not, I hope you'll clarify...

Second, This letting-go method you outline implies a practitioner with pretty advanced skills, especially in the self-awareness and meditative departments. I know you did say it can be difficult at first, but does a newbie need to do anything else before trying this, lest they be just as frustrated when they discover how truly difficult it can be to clear your mind completely, and just be aware? Indeed, I think many of the techniques exist because it is so hard to clear one's mind and just be aware. Did I miss something?

**LucidTruth** · 05-24-2014 12:29 AM

Ahh, meditating on where one's awareness it at. I like that.

**crypticcello** · 05-24-2014 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Sageous

This is interesting, but I hope you won't mind if I ask a couple of questions:

First, I'm not clear about where you're transcending the dream state, per your thread's title. Were you just using the phrase to name your method, and the transcendence is becoming lucid? If not, I hope you'll clarify...

Second, This letting-go method you outline implies a practitioner with pretty advanced skills, especially in the self-awareness and meditative departments. I know you did say it can be difficult at first, but does a newbie need to do anything else before trying this, lest they be just as frustrated when they discover how truly difficult it can be to clear your mind completely, and just be aware? Indeed, I think many of the techniques exist because it is so hard to clear one's mind and just be aware. Did I miss something?

I was hoping that the title wouldn't be too misleading, but I understand your confusion. Perhaps I should have written something like "transcending into the dream state," as I know the current title would more literally imply going beyond dreaming. Rather, I was implying this method as a way to go past the waking state into a purer dream state. Sorry for the confusion, but I hope you understand my meaning.

As for your second question, I do know that stilling the mind and being perfectly aware come with some inherent problems, especially for those inexperience with consciousnesses experimentation. However, in my personal experience, overloading one's self with preconceptions and belief systems that stem from studying and applying a wide variety of techniques can very quickly get in the way of successful attainment. The method I have provided is one of releasing concepts and entering the natural flow of things with minimal effort.

To those less acquainted with the process of meditation, my method may prove to be very difficult. My advice for such a practitioner would be to let the process happen naturally. If it proves impossible to quiet the mind, then simply observe your thoughts, let them come as they will. The most important thing is that you do not have a destination in mind, and you are not trying to force anything to happen. Anyone is capable of doing this, because this is the very way that sleep comes naturally. When no effort is made, sleep proceeds as it should, and the dream state arises without a fuss.