Meditation lucid dreaming?

[DreamWolfHorse]

I've had several incidents while I've been meditating where I've actually flown. Most times I fly around whatever area happens to be nearby. Like at my college I'm taking an intro to meditation and mindfulness class and there's this park nearby that I flew around. Sometimes when I'm at home it's typically around my neighborhood. I know some would refer to this as "astral travel" but could this too be a version of lucidity? It always seems to happen when I'm so relaxed on the verge of trance or just in the right mindset. Thanks!

[JustASimpleGuy]

It's most likely a form of self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis shouldn't be the purpose of mindfulness meditation. Anything that draws attention from the object of meditation is a fabrication/distraction to be noted in a non-critical fashion, and attention gently shifted back to the object being attended. EDIT: There's also the possibility you actually nodded out, and because you were meditating you were in a more aware state. Might be somewhat similar to WILD?

[Sivason]

It's most likely a form of self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis shouldn't be the purpose of mindfulness meditation. Anything that draws attention from the object of meditation is a fabrication/distraction to be noted in a non-critical fashion, and attention gently shifted back to the object being attended. EDIT: There's also the possibility you actually nodded out, and because you were meditating you were in a more aware state. Might be somewhat similar to WILD? depends on the school of thought. Many more forms of meditation exist than you are learning now, keep an open mind. DreamWolfHorse, You are lucky. Yes, you can lucid dream in meditation if you reach certain changes in brain waves. This is what I call dream trance and others may say is a version of Yoga Nidra, while another member coined the phrase Lucid Day Dream. I can do it, and so could that member, and apparently so can you. WooHoo. Have fun!

[JustASimpleGuy]

depends on the school of thought. Many more forms of meditation exist than you are learning now, keep an open mind. Yes, I see what you are saying. I'm familiar with mindfulness, compassion and metta. I didn't know there are formal schools of meditation that involved dreaming, though way back when I used to meditate on the light screen behind my closed eyelids. Very hypnotic and the imagery could actually form into scenes, places, people, etc... Sometimes quite vivid. I dropped it when I came across mindfulness meditation. I should read up more on Dream Yoga or Yoga Nidra.

[Sivason]

Yes, I see what you are saying. I'm familiar with mindfulness, compassion and metta. I didn't know there are formal schools of meditation that involved dreaming, though way back when I used to meditate on the light screen behind my closed eyelids. Very hypnotic and the imagery could actually form into scenes, places, people, etc... Sometimes quite vivid. I dropped it when I came across mindfulness meditation. I should read up more on Dream Yoga or Yoga Nidra. Oh, I kind of need to say sorry. I see your first statement was that it was not the purpose of MINDFULLNESS meditation. You are completely correct there.

[JustASimpleGuy]

No worries sivason. I learned something from your response. DreamWolfHourse had mentioned an intro course to meditation and mindfulness. If s/he has a gift for some other school of meditation that has a more direct synergy with lucid dreaming that's fantastic. I'd think that would be deserving of some attention and training either in addition to, or as a replacement for, mindfulness. Not sure how complimentary the two would be.