Thread: Dream Yoga

Someone should write a book saying that same thing on every page. In LDs, as in all life, there is nothing more valuable than confidence. Know it will be easy, and it will be, it is that simple.

Hey Never,

I have read through this post roughly 12 times just to understand what to do during the dream yoga process.. I understand everything of course, and have taken your advice as well as Billy's.

However my issue lies in dream recall, some days I will remember 2 dreams, and other times I will go days without recalling but a small hint of what may have happened. That hint isn't worth a penny, because after I pursue the hint during the day, it means nothing and offers me no further info on my dreams. The odd thing though is that during these days which I get small hints, I feel way differently, like it was more detailed when I was there. Perhaps it is a symptom of dream yoga, but none of that matters because I can't remember specifics. I just feel like deep inside I knew the dream was detailed and where I was, but I cannot consciously recall the content.

I am wondering if dream yoga will maybe fix this problem on its own while I am observing constantly and all, or will I have to start practicing my recall every morning? Also, if practicing is the case, should I start a focus meditation session each time I wake up? By meditation, I concentrate on my breathing and allow all noise to flow through me hopefully bringing pieces of my dream back to me. =)

Let me also add that I have been doing dream yoga for about 3 days now, and I am very adjusted to this as well as patient. The only reason I am asking this question is because no one mentioned anything about recall except for dreams were more memorable. I assumed this meant that over time they would automatically become more memorable, less forgettable. This is pretty much the only question I need answered.

Although I was wondering some small things such as, is it ok to not focus on things while watching tv, searching the internet, listening to music? Also I am curious if I day dream while practicing observation, I usually block it out, was wondering if that was normal.

Thanks so much for the knowledge Never. I appreciate it. A thanks to you as well BillyBob, I love the IS you introduced here and the way you left out the religious aspects of dream yoga. ^_<

Recall is a tricky thing, and in my experience always seems to be a conscious endeavor. Dream Yoga can help recall detail, but only if you remember what is detailed to begin with. So yes, I would practice recalling dreams vigorously and with as much excitement as you can muster. Another important thing is to remember to convince yourself that you will recall your dreams before you fall asleep.

I am not the greatest for dream recall, as I do not keep a journal. It is such a pain to me. Nonetheless, when you have great detail in lucids as a result of dream yoga (and this is the greatest part) you tend not to lose the dreams. You can sustain lucidity forever, or until you wake up. Often, I will have such vivid and amazing lucids that I will just say "let's wake up on this note" and I remember it fully; even if I don't do this, I usually wake up anyway when I fulfill a goal or have an otherwise amazing breakthrough. As I said before, I have dream spun through dozens of dreams in a single night. If you can combine dream yoga (best becoming lucid technique) with WILDs after you wake up, you will have more than enough material to keep your recall fresh. My most amazing dream was out of a 2 hour sleep before work and completely unexpected (an OBE type). I woke up in such awe that I could barely contain myself. I may forget many of my regular dreams for lack of a journal, but I remember all of my lucids upon awakening.

Meditation in the morning, they say, is the best time for it. It is entirely up to you. If it is recall you desire, it will certainly help; but only if you focus on remembering. This is best done before you even rise or move if possible.

Although I was wondering some small things such as, is it ok to not focus on things while watching tv, searching the internet, listening to music? Also I am curious if I day dream while practicing observation, I usually block it out, was wondering if that was normal.

Hahaha. That made me laugh because I was worried about that at first myself. An excellent question. The monks tell you to not get involved with music or what you are reading too much, but I disagree.

In truth, being focused all the time is the best idea, but that doesn't mean you should stop enjoying things unless you are searching for the Buddhist Nirvana. Such dedication to awareness is essential in Vipassana (supposedly), but not so for our goal of lucid dreams, provided that you don't watch TV all day or anything. Immerse yourself in the music and the book, and immerse yourself in life; just make sure to break the spell now and then; for example, if you are reading, have a timed reality check thing going, so that your dreams will not fool you if they take on the life of a book. If you can do without becoming fully immersed in art and literature, not to mention great philosophical discussions, than by all means, stay in the now, but I do not think it imperative to maintain this state 24/7; just almost that much for the longest stretch you can manage.

About daydreaming; yes, blocking it out is the idea, but some things (like important matters such as health concerns) cannot just be blocked. When this happens, simply make a choice of what to do about the situation, then block it out with all your might. Resolve, and move on to awareness. This practice is a great tool for mental health anyway; it teaches you to not wallow in needless nonsense and worries. Just gently bring your mind back to the moment, again and again.

I appreciate the answers Never. =)

I have a few more questions.

1) Is it possible to have lucid dreams and not to remember you had it and did things in it?

2) When you say be aware of your surroundings, do you mean to passively look at one object analyzing each object as you pass? Or do you mean seeing with your peripheral vision and seeing everything? I have been seeing one thing around the room, moving to the next, then the next with no thought. It isn't a slow process, I just find myself passively analyzing each object one after another in that room with no thought. Take into consideration that I never leave home hardly, so it's not like I travel to different environments and rooms a lot.

Thanks for your answers and time.

1) Is it possible to have lucid dreams and not to remember you had it and did things in it?

Yes indeed. If your interest in the subject dwindles, you may very well forget all of them. There is a weird process we go through when we wake. In my most vivid lucids I would wake up, and for a second it would seem like my mind was shut off or taken from me; I would be drawing a blank. Then suddenly the memory of the lucid would be impressed on my mind, but without all the clarity that the actual dream had. It is hard to explain. It is almost like your brain seems too primitive to fully remember the beauty of what you just experienced; like the difference between a live show and a live recording. I believe there is a moment after waking when if you do not focus on storing it all in conscious memory, all can be lost, and remain the sole property of the subconscious.

2) When you say be aware of your surroundings, do you mean to passively look at one object analyzing each object as you pass? Or do you mean seeing with your peripheral vision and seeing everything?

Yes.

Both are good. the main point is that you are in the now. I would often switch between both methods at a pinch, and when standing still or sitting I would focus on not the room, but my breath. Anything that can prevent senseless thoughts from entering and taking you away from the now. Do whatever is most comfortable for the situation.

I really appreciate your replies Never, thanks man. =) I will come back if I have any more questions. Thanks again.

If it's all about staying in the moment, would focusing on and being aware of all my senses work the same? I think I'll try that starting now

Sry, off topic, how do I edit a post?

I've never quite understood where I should be seeing these images when I visualize things. It sounds from reading those two sites on visualizing, that I should expect to see these things as if theyre right under my eyelids in the blackness. However, when I seem to visualize things, it's as if it's somewhere else that can't even be located, in my mind's eye. But it's never as if I'm actually looking at a place. I can conjure things up in my head, but it's never right in front of my eyes like I'm looking at it.

So, is that what visualizing normally IS or should I see things right in front of my eyes when I have my eyes closed?

I may be wrong, but it sounds like you are simply over-thinking the matter. If you can see images or even vague outlines in your mind, then you are doing well.

Literally, you cannot possibly see images behind your eyelids; it is all from the brain; aside from light input...yeah I am getting too technical hehe.

The brain, even when you daydream, can see images as clear as though you were seeing them with your eyes; it is only because it is a danger to you that such vivid daydreams are kept out of reach; to allow you to discern "reality". Your dreams, daydreams, and visualizations are just as real to your brain, as input from the eye. All come from the same source. With work it will become clearer and more real.

Sdlac: Not really; focusing on images improves images, focusing on hearing improves hearing...etc. It is all beneficial and will help you become lucid, but in different ways only. Choose a different sense for each situation. Images are recommended merely because they work best at the beginner and intermediate stages; they are harder to dismiss.

Hah, no I do definitely overthink things. I always get images "in my head" but, I never "see" them. I had a lucid dream (my first) a few nights ago, but in my dream it was almost pitch black, fuzzy, and hard to see anything — pretty much horrible clarity. I've been trying this dream yoga stuff for a few days now, last night I had a fairly clear dream. Also, I was listening to one of those subliminal lucid dream MP3's, and I even gave myself a damn reality check in the dream! But I just reasoned my way out of it

Yeah, it sounds like you just need practice with images. Do keep up the dream yoga. You will eventually have dreams so vivid it will blow your mind

Originally Posted by Splitter X

Although I was wondering some small things such as, is it ok to not focus on things while watching tv, searching the internet, listening to music? Also I am curious if I day dream while practicing observation, I usually block it out, was wondering if that was normal.

Whenever I'm trying this technique...but decided to watch a TV show or movie, I try to do a reality check every time I notice a somebody move from one place to another (ie...inside to outside or one room to another), or when the show cuts to another scene. I figure its good non-intensive practice!

don't know if this adds anything...but it may be helpful...maybe lol

After I first read this last night I was really interested, so I went ahead and tried it. If it wasn't for me waking up twice, I think I actually would have completed the task of the month (finding your dream name)! It was hilarious, though, since I was telling myself a couple times when I wasn't lucid to do the tasks of the month, which I think actually helped me get lucid in the first place. No, wait, wasn't it because I realized was in a rocket ship?

To anyone who's quite skeptical of this technique, just try it for one night! You'll see for yourself that it works.

What iv´e noticed while practising this method is how much we actually take our enviorment for granted.
Me for example, i take to bus to school everyday, and all i do is listen to music and stare outside, i don't see the enviorment with my eyes but more with my brain because i have seen it hundreds of times alreaddy, when even the slightest thing is out of order i notice it.
Lately though, iv'e been focussing more on actually "seeing" things and stop assuming it is there (what we all often do), when i enter my room now i "check" it out as if somebody from enother dimension could have messed with it.
I think for this method to be succesfull you must get into the habit of checking everything out, exactly the same way you check girls out automaticly you don't think about it you just do it because it is encrypted in your mind.
At first i thought why is Billybob saying it's so hard, but after a few days i realised how difficult this actually is, and i'm not only talking about the part of remembering to actually look at things, but also the fact that "looking" at things can be quite tiring because you are thinking while you do it.
I am still a noob at lucid dreaming, but iv'e had a Mild, Wild, and FILD and i must say the method that i liked most was the Mild so i'm gonne keep training this method, and hopefully get ld's more often... one thing is for sure i wont quit until i reach my objective; get lucid whenever i want!!

It was amazing how vivid things seemed in real life when I paid attention and didn't take things for granted. I tried it out for about 3 days and ended up giving up for a while until now, when I recently had a thought. Dream Yoga is the only method in which I can 'master' my dreaming, keeping them stable, and inducing several a night without much effort other than staying aware.

I find I just need to get used to it, so those whom are thinking about throwing in the towel, don't. Think of it like a game, like one said here on this page... When you are walking around, purposely always look to see if anything is weird or out of place and realize the natural beauty and wonder of things around you. This is hard to do during the Winter, but do your best inside. =) Also pay some attention to sound, feel, taste, these can be fun to do sometimes. I like to pay attention to taste especially while eating, appreciating the sensation of what I am eating more so than daydreaming while eating! I notice things taste better when I pay attention to the goodness, mmmm. =P Notice the sound of your washing machine, oven, heater/AC, car, pay attention when someone is talking, a slam of something, and anything else you can think of!

I hope I inspired some of you, think of waking life like this... It is a dream, just try to see it as a dream and attempt to pick odds out of it, and even appreciate it's beauty. Or like I suggested before, think of it like a 24 hour game! ^_^

Good luck!

Hey, your PC is running! NOTICE IT! =D

I have another technique I would like to share with you guys, I just came up with it. It is like VILD only mine is a bit different and convenient for Dream Yoga. It is different in the sense that you don't have to sit there and make yourself go through creating a situation and dream for yourself to do an RC in. Instead it is making use of your roaming thoughts through the day, a mix of dream yoga and VILD. DYVILD if you will. =D

In my technique, when a thought comes along, treat it like a dream. Visualize yourself becoming lucid in your daydream thought, feel the excitement of the accomplishment. After this, go back to being lucid in life, letting your mind stay silent of thought unless one pops back up! If another pops, use it as another becoming lucid chance, become lucid in thought.

Here is a small example, I am daydreaming about learning to drive, ok. I then remember to become lucid in my thought, so I do. I then say, this is a dream, not happening. Wow I am lucid, I know your really not, play along. When you daydream during the waking life, it is the same as drifting in dreams, so lets excersize that area in waking lifes thoughts, until we are able to really realize we are lucid in a real dream! =)

This mostly works for fantasy daydreams, which I am sure everyone has during each day. Perhaps it is one where you recieve a job you have been wanting, maybe it is having the courage to talk to a chick, being aggressive and making that goal in soccer next game. Just imagine becoming lucid while scoring that girl, goal, or job and saying, this is not real! I am dreaming!

One tip, don't spend too much time in fantasy land. Spend maybe a few seconds realizing lucidness in your daydream, and then let it flow away. Lucid daydreaming ftw. =D

Good luck fella's.

up up and away..

the preliminary practices alone are helping me (from the Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep), coupled with the constant mindfulness meditation where I'm strengthening my awareness by being aware of every action that I make. ..life seems so much richer, my grasping towards my emotions are decreasing, I'm just enjoying life even more and I just started up my dream yoga practices again 2 days ago but I'm gonna do it right this time..to everybody practicing this keep at it. .seeing you guys motivated motivates me to continue with my practices. .stay up everybody and keep living life. 1ne

Also pay some attention to sound, feel, taste, these can be fun to do sometimes. I like to pay attention to taste especially while eating, appreciating the sensation of what I am eating more so than daydreaming while eating! I notice things taste better when I pay attention to the goodness, mmmm. =P Notice the sound of your washing machine, oven, heater/AC, car, pay attention when someone is talking, a slam of something, and anything else you can think of!

Hehe. Indeed; sounds are one of my favorite things to focus on, and I find that such also can lead to an unexplainable kind of inspiration that sight cannot; it is a matter of changing perspective from that of the ordinary I suppose.

I think it's great that you guys are really getting into this. BTW, I will respond to your PMs shortly, I have just been busy for the last week or so.

Not sure if you folks are interested in this,
The Lucidity Institute are looking for people to help with "Dream Yoga" related research.

http://www.lucidity.com/DreamYoga.html

Specifically influence of posture and breathing on dreaming. Also difference between the sexes.

Really nice
I've been holding on to the empty glass with the clown painted on it for since I read your post up to finishing reading, writing the reply and pressing "post" xD
Just some time ago I started to notice that doing something like this kind of increases lucidity not only in dreams but also in real life (if I make any sense)
You start noticing and remembering things you would have never remembered/seen. Also when talking to people, you remember their every words they said sometimes.
Like reality becomes "more real".

Now I see that I was only at the beginning of some older/bigger technique, hehe.

Now I feel like having my mind split into 2 parts, lol
The object i'm holding on to, and the "rest". Strange feeling, and somehow exhausting at first.

Wow, this sounds like the perfect method for me. Now I realise that i've been doing this for years without knowing it. I've always had the idea that reality might be just a dream. I got these ideas of what would happen should I become lucid in the dream I call reality...unlimited power...

Since I've been doing this for a long time for about 6 years I'm going to give this method a go. I know I can do it and I don't care what people will think because they're not real anyway

I more question: Does dream yoga mean that you should never again show emotions? Because if you showed emotions (laughing with a joke) then you'd be accepting what you just saw/heard as if it was real.
I find that a scary thought.

I more question: Does dream yoga mean that you should never again show emotions? Because if you showed emotions (laughing with a joke) then you'd be accepting what you just saw/heard as if it was real.

No, no need to take it that far. As long as you are aware of which reality you are in all the time, you will wake up in dreams. Just go through the day with the thought "everything is a dream; but which dream am I in?". Waking life has the obvious natural laws that dreams do not, so often just asking this question is enough if you mean it.