recapitulation or unlocking trapped energy

Hello all!

I've been rereading the art of dreaming by castaneda, mostly just for fun... In one part of the book Don Juan talks with Carlos about Recapitulation, or releasing energy that you have trapped or are unable to access because it is locked up in negative emotions and thoughts that have not been properly examined.

My question is how necessary or accurate do you think an idea like this is to being able to successfully and willingly have lucid dreams? I've been reading 'a new earth' by eckhart tolle which largely discusses how the ego can and does complicate things on an energetic level, which has influenced me to wonder if that might be the source of my inability to have great dream recall and an ability to become lucid.

any thoughts?

These are largely ideas that relate to new age spirituality, which is highly separate from Lucid Dreaming. If you think these kinds of things will affect your ability to become Lucid, I recommend the Beyond Dreaming forum.

Dreaming is, at least in part, about analyzing and sorting out feelings, emotions, thoughts and experiences throughout the day. When we sleep our conscious mind retreats, and our subconscious takes over. Lucid Dreaming is simply restoring our conscious mind whilst remaining physically asleep, and therefore experiencing the vivid and profound hallucinations which are dreams.

Recall can be attributed to a number of things. I suggest starting a Dream Journal if you haven't already, in order to help improve recall.

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Originally Posted by sleepybrains

Hello all!

I've been rereading the art of dreaming by castaneda, mostly just for fun... In one part of the book Don Juan talks with Carlos about Recapitulation, or releasing energy that you have trapped or are unable to access because it is locked up in negative emotions and thoughts that have not been properly examined.

My question is how necessary or accurate do you think an idea like this is to being able to successfully and willingly have lucid dreams? I've been reading 'a new earth' by eckhart tolle which largely discusses how the ego can and does complicate things on an energetic level, which has influenced me to wonder if that might be the source of my inability to have great dream recall and an ability to become lucid.

any thoughts?

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I love carlos casteneda but I have never had any results with recapitulation. What I have had personal experience with is limiting beliefs. I have had limiting beliefs before, changed them and had great results ever since.

If your recapitualation doesn't yeild results then you might want to explore your beliefs regarding lucid dreaming.

Happy Trails =0)

The recapitulation exercise is something you do until the day you die, so it is more process oriented than goal oriented. You can't get it done as such, nor would you want to. Think of it as a fancy form of meditation or for that matter, dreaming awake.

I've done a bit of the formal recap, but haven't attempted my whole life. Nowadays I use it when I have a old memory or feeling that appears out of left field and seems to need some tending. That kind of recap has been called "the puzzle recap" since you jump around in your life rather than just follow a blow by blow list.

I agree about limiting ideas (AKA fear), and in truth that is what the recap is after. Taking fear from the an important position and placing it in a less important one can help you in any state you might find yourself. So if you like the process, go for it. I think though that daily meditation practice and living a simple, self-honest life can accomplish the same goals.