Conscious Dreaming

Playground of the Mind

I’ve recently discovered that dreams can be a wonderful window into my dominant thoughts, vibrations, fears and the dark parts of myself that I have not yet faced. Such an experience occurred not too long ago when I fell asleep after contemplating the idea that whatever I am creating may show up in my dreams and that if I start paying attention I can more consciously direct the experiences I want to flow into my life. The very night I thought this I had a vivid dream, accompanied by strong emotions that played out a drama for me while I slept. The characters were people that in real life I’ve had difficult and bumpy relationship with and in the dream…as in my real life situations with them…they taught me far more about myself than much of my solitary work has revealed.

The Difficult Dream

I am sitting down, having what feels like an intimate, open conversation. The conversation is about another person whom I will call Dream Character A. I feel very comfortable, at ease and under control. It changes in a flash as the normal person I am conversing with (Dream Character B) turns into something that more deeply resembles a Star Wars Dark Lord of the Sith. The facial expressions change, even the body movements become strangely fluid… almost serpentine and like a true Sith Lord, Character B, knows too much about my past thoughts and motives and present concern and desire to help Character A. This specter was the gatekeeper and plainly stated that it was in charge of the situation…and that I was helpless to make any changes. My emotional state slowly ran the gambit from disbelief and shock, to anger and then finally to a place of power. I literally leap onto it, pin it and say, “Do what you must, but know this…I won’t allow you to hurt anyone.” Confronted by me, in this state of power this demon shrinks to something so non-threatening that I immediately release it…and then I awaken.

Interpreting the Message

There were many messages in the above dream. My dream state was reflecting back some unprocessed ideas that were lurking in places my waking mind was unaware of. I had done a lot of work processing my feelings regarding dream Character A, but didn’t even realize I had anything to process with dream Character B. A few things that I understood immediately was that in many ways, I was not dealing with these real individuals…they were used by my mind as appropriate representations but I was really dealing with myself…my own dark places, my own fear, my own selfishness, etc.

Integration

The following night I performed visualizations in which all the mistrust and negative feelings I had toward Dream Character B flowed out of me and into a cleansing stream which purified it and carried it away…emptied of all my feelings I was open to love. I then visualized Dream Character B as an open, loving person, someone whom I trusted completely and enjoyed. Once I had obtained a state of love and joy toward Dream Character B, I was able to face and accept that dark aspect of myself and be grateful for its message. The next day I awoke from the most wonderful dream.

I was having lunch with a very dear friend whom in real life has been very close to a spiritual teacher to me. He absolutely beamed with power and spirit. He told me, with absolute confidence, serenity and joy…and even a glint of boyish mischief that he was “retiring”. The smile on his face told me that was far from the truth but he was following his passion and the call of his spirit, he was becoming even more involved in his community, in life and of course…it was not work at all. Even more fascinating was how he was completely controlling his schedule with lightness and ease. He was spending more time doing inspiring things than he did paperwork or anything else and of course it was all lining up as if he called it down from the heavens. He was the ultimate teacher…the Merlin archetype…completely at ease…knowing just what to do…and taking time to enjoy whatever he set his hand to.

It is no wonder that this dream should come directly on the heels of the first. Having paid attention to the messages of the first dream and worked through them I was offered a picture of where this new work was headed. The feeling I was left from this dream was one of absolute trust in the path. I know that my friend appeared as the “teacher” aspect of myself. Showing me what I’ve been manifesting…and encouraging my work and growth. He offered me a picture of where I can go and what it feels like.

A conscious dreamer views their dreams as an opportunity to alter the course of their waking experience and as a way of communicating with their deepest self.

For another example of conscious or lucid dreaming, check out this post from Erin Pavlina.

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