Dreaming
Since I was about 15 or 16, I’ve had something of a passing interest in Lucid Dreaming, particularly acquiring the ability to be able to bring one on by choice. A lucid dream is a dream in which the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming, and this awareness allows them to be “in control” of the dream and manipulate what occurs. It is said to be a very rewarding and incredible experience if one can bring them on regularly. I believe that I have had one such dream in my lifetime that I can recall (which was the one that originally sparked my interest) – in which I was able to fly as if I was “swimming” through the air (hard to explain), and I proceeded to fly around my school for a while. Whether this was truly a lucid dream, or it only felt like one is difficult to ascertain, but either way it piqued my interest.
Recently I’ve been revisiting this interest and doing some reading on the subject. Most lucid dreaming methodologies suggest keeping a dream journal, wherein you write down everything you can remember about the dream you were last having when you wake up – in effect “training” yourself to remember dreams and be more aware of them. I may start keeping one shortly to see if anything eventuates from it. The next step is usually to create “anchors” in real life – these are habitual “tests” to see if you are dreaming or not. Common examples include counting the fingers on your hands, or looking at a clock, looking away, and looking back to see if it changes. Such tests have a reasonable chance at failing if carried out in a dream (where real-world rules don’t apply) – and by making them habit in a waking state, they can become something that the subconscious might perform in a dreaming state, thereby allowing the dreamer to realise they are dreaming and enter a lucid dreaming state.
Something else I came across in my reading was Calea Zacatechichi (otherwise known as Dream Herb). This is a legal (to grow, sell and consume) plant that supposedly increases the frequency, memorability, and vividness of dreams. While it’s available in pill and dried/crushed form, I would prefer to have a crack at growing and preparing it myself. I was unable to find it for sale anywhere in New Zealand as a plant, but to my surprise there is someone selling cuttings on TradeMe (for a pretty high price, mind you). I’m seriously contemplating purchasing a cutting and giving it a go. Follow-up post if anything comes of it.
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Tom is a 23 year-old software engineer currently based in Auckland, New Zealand. Click
February 24th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
haha i think most people already check the time. i <3 flying dreams!! i haven't had one in a while, sad.
April 21st, 2010 at 2:22 am
I just started having these again after about 20 year hiatus. They usually start out as unpleasant dreams. Somehow I remember that my life is not usually horribly unpleasant and so I perform a test during the dream, like levitate some object, if it works I know pretty much that I can try flying etc. Turns a negative into pos. Great fun.
So how is that Calea treating you?
April 21st, 2010 at 10:35 am
Unfortunately the Calea is looking a little worse for wear currently – seems to have got some sort of disease and has had its growth pretty severely stunted. I’m keeping an eye on it, but it’s not looking too good! Apparently I’m not much of a green thumb.
April 21st, 2010 at 2:57 pm
If you wish, send it to me, i’ll restore over winter in the glass house and return a healthy specimen to you in spring. shame to loose such a rare and potentially intersting plant.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:39 am
If you let me know your email I can send you some photos… It’s quite small, I’m not sure it would survive a transplant at this stage.
Will take some photos tonight if I remember.
EDIT: Never mind, I can see your email