Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels, reality

Becoming friends with lucid dreamers has changed the way I understand not only Lucid dreaming and astral traveling, but it has even made me wonder more about what reality is.

Then I found this cool blog and discussion by wanderer 7.

What do you all think? I'd love to hear your views, especially those of you who are lucid dreamers or have studied astral traveling. Yes you! :):)

Dreaming in Metaphors is a song I love by Seal - listen here

The Descent into Matter

Posted on Jun 14th, 2008 by wanderer7

so what are we doing here?  we wake up each morning, look around, and here we are, in the flesh, the same old body as yesterday, when we went to sleep.  So what's going on?  what is this matter plane, the physical existence? 

the fact the we drop off the earth for 8 hours a day, in sleep, effectively dead to everyone (and even yourself!) should give you a clue.  We go 'missing', AWOL, are absent from earth.  We sleep, and while we do, we no longer interact, have no consciousness, have nothing (except, perhaps, for a few dreams).  Sleep is a mini-death.  And this is a third of our lives!

what is going on here?  We sleep, and while we do, matter ceases to have meaning to us.  There is a body, but we are no longer there.

you see, this is a descent into the physical form, from the more ethereal planes.  When we sleep, we effectively 're-ascend', and leave physicality behind, just for a while.  This is a spiritual re-charge; we can only handle so much of the physical world (in fact, only usually 16 hours at a time) before we find it too taxing and strenuous; we need a break from harsh matter reality.  So, for 8 hours we dis-appear, go back to spirit; reunite with the Godhead, get refilled with emotions, inspirations, fantasies, and wonders; things we can bring back down to earth the next time we wake up.  We learn from the spirit world, and manifest it here; in real 3d physical reality.

think about it, what REALLY HAPPENS when you sleep?  and think about it, people go PSYCHOTIC when they are sleep-deprived (personal experience here :-), too too much caffeine in my time).  Sleep is one of the great mysteries; one third of your life, my friends; truly think about what happens in that time.

love and light,

wanderer7

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about 2 hours later

wanderer7 said

 

Hi Nicole.  yes, astral travelling is EXACTLY where it's at …

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about 4 hours later

rederick said

 

W7 - I love this blog….

Why do you think people wake up groggy and grumpy sometimes on days they sleep 12 hours?  Is there too much of a disconnect from the physical world, do you think?

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about 5 hours later

wanderer7 said

 

Hi Eric,

“Why do you think people wake up groggy and grumpy sometimes on days they sleep 12 hours?  Is there too much of a disconnect from the physical world, do you think?”

when I used to work night shift, I would sleep deprive myself the whole week, and then gorge on the weekends.  Very upsetting to the body (like someone continually feasting / fasting) but I kept this up for about 12 months.  I understood the extremes of human emotions in this time; going from the zombie state to ecstactic euphoria with a cup of coffee.  One of the many 'eventful' periods in my life :-)

but to address your question (which I have a habit of turning into dissertations of my own liking :-) yes, I well remember after passing out from a long, long week of nightshifts that everything seemed confused, unfamilar.  How did I get here?  what's going on?  And yeah, it would take food and walking around a bit to reaccustom myself to the physical environment … relearning almost.

Sleep is a fascinating topic; I have yet to come across a definitive non-fiction work that really breaks it down well.  You know, like for most categories or subjects out there, there is usually a “bestseller / classic” that you can always go too; for sleep, this thing that we engage a third of our lives in, I haven't yet seen that book.  There are the usual “dream abalysts”, there are the “astral travel” books that Nicole referenced; but nothing really in the general domain on the mechanics of sleep; it's history, it's defects, it's possible functions.  After all, animals sleep too!  (and do they return to the spirit world?)  and when sharks sleep, they just float aimlessly in the ocean …. and people push cows over because they sleep standing up  :-)   *** grin * but I truly digress now.  My 'wandering' mind, you know …

cheers Eric, and hope things are well with you.

w7

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about 7 hours later

elisa said

 

psst…what about dream walkers?? :P

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about 12 hours later

wanderer7 said

 

Hi Elisa!  (whispering)  who are he Dream Walkers?  are they ghosts?  phantoms?  (will they hear us talking about them?  :-)

w7

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about 12 hours later

rederick said

 

W7 - all of a sudden I am reminded of a book called Insomnia by Stephen King.

We used to have a cat and I swore it dreamed.  She would often be asleep on her side and her legs and tail would be moving, as if she was in the middle of doing something.  She was a strange little cat, but I am wandering along with you, it seems.  I've often wondered how cats and other animals dream…and what it means to them…

I've had times where I've slept too much - I actually slept through an entire day once - the disconnect I feel from the world at those times is very interesting to say the least.

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about 23 hours later

***_***_*** said

 

After many years of meditatiuon, some people stay aware during deep sleep. They pretend deep sleep is not different from the causal planes.
Without any meditation i have remained lucid during some dreams, capable of changing 'the plot' or ending the experience. I have no clue wheter this dream world and the subtle planes have anything in common.

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about 23 hours later

wanderer7 said

 

Hi Bert.  The blur between lucid dreaming and astral projection is quite contentious.  Some claim they are the same phenomena, being interpreted in different ways; others say they are separate and distinct, with no overlap at all; and a third line says that lucid dreaming is a prelude or training period before the full “projection”.  Myself, not being proficient in either skill, can offer no real opinion.  It is a field that I have been interested in for about 6-9 months; especially the astral projection part.  Alas, with all my earnest efforts, I have not yet succeeded (or succeeded, and remembered it).  Again, another component of the Mystery of Sleep. 

w7

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1 day later

Marmalade said

 

This is a fascinating subject.  I'm a fan of the view that waking life is a dream.  I don't think we go anywhere when we sleep because we are already always in the Dreaming of God.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

the difference between lucid dreaming and astral travel has to be ……in a lucid dream you are alone as the sole dreamer, in an astral plane it is a dream with at least 1 other real person also dreaming the same dream with you. Telepathically linked..

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

very helpful and important distinction, thanks!

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

But couldn't lucid dreaming and astral travel exist continuous with eachother within the same realm?  Maybe lucid dreaming is like your personal space (your home or your bedroom), and maybe astral travel is like going for a walk outside.  And even if you don't leave your home, someone might knock on your door.  Or even someone might break in.  Egads!

Marm

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

Dreaming takes place in non space the created space of the mind. Astral planes are also in the mind. If someone breaks in to my dream, it instantly ceases to be a dream and becomes an astral plane. But permision is needed. If they break in without permision, they can't take form as something recognisable to the dreamer. The dreamner has to choose to recognise them….. The choice is always that of the dreamer.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

i have heard someone contacted another person through astral traveling without permission. the recipient was awake and received it as an unwelcome intrusion (though it was someone she was in a relationship with). so she “pushed” him away and later asked him if he had “peeked” at her in her contemplation outdoors. he admitted yes.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

You say this astral experience took place in the real world not in someone elses dream. A dreamer has choice over his own dream realm. But in the real world we don't have the same benifits we do in our own mind.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

I had a very similar experience when I was living in Indonesia.  I was dreaming and suddenly it was as if someone “dropped” into view and obscured the dream, like someone standing up in a theater and blocking the screen.  This indistinct and invasive figure disturbed and angered me and I woke up, still feeling violated and invaded.  There had been rumors that there was a “ghost” in this corner of the building where I was sleeping, so I thought perhaps I'd had an encounter with a spirit and I commanded it to leave and never to bother me again.

A few days later, I called my mother to just check in with her, since it had been more than a month that I had contacted anyone back home.  She said she'd been worried about me and told me not to get mad, but she had asked a person who could astral travel to come check on me a few days ago.  She said that the woman had reported I was well but that I was angry and did not want to be disturbed.  I was quite surprised and told my mother about the experience I had just had.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels, reali

  Hi,

I was just following the tracks of my friend Balder, and I came across this thread.  Lucid dreaming is interesting.  As a child I had a lot of fears and nightmares, primarily around my father who liked to hit, but also because I took on the added pressure of putting him on a pedestal, and the feeling I had hat I must measure up to what I thought were impossible standards that he represented. 

It was surprising how I first consciously learned to face fear.  It was in one of my many child nightmares about being chased by wild animals that would devour me.  It was when Superman and Tarzan serials were running at most Saturday movie matinees.  The animals were 'wild' because they were powerful and out of control (like my father), and they killed and devoured the helpless creature they caught, (like me).  In this particular nightmare, a wolf was chasing me:

“… and at the last moment; I turned to face a narrow-eyed primordial snarl, saliva-dripping…  I remember this vividly because it was a turning point for me.  I said lucidly, 'Wolf!  If you come closer I'll wake up!'  Somehow I knew that if I awoke the wolf would cease to exist.  At that moment the wolf changed into something entirely non-threatening.  This technique was a weapon I took with me into future dreams.  I have never had a nightmare since that I did not face my fear.”  [From Journal Entry, Book One]

All nightmares became lucent dreams after that.  So 'facing my fears' was coming face-to-face with whatever dream image, and having the confidence to cease 'holding back' out of fear.  A lesson learned in a dream is a lesson learned in life.  The fear then was of the overwhelming forces in my life: my father, and also interacting with others at camp and school, and the weight of the measuring up responsibility. 

Now, the occasional adult nightmare, due to eating something too close to bedtime, results in me becoming angrily lucid and assuming the wolf's prowling persona – on the hunt for that nameless dread lurking in the murky corridors of my mind, ready to rip it to shreds.  The dream metaphor of the wolf became for me a persona in which I could invest the strength of anger, where prior to facing fear, I didn't seem to have the structure or metaphor to embody it.

Best,

David

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels, reali

I'm glad to see you here, David! 

My son (6 years old now) has been having nightmares about monsters and such, so a few months ago I started telling him that he has the power to “wake up” inside his dream and do whatever he wants to do to control it or change it.  A week or two ago, he woke me up, talking excitedly.  He said he had finally woken up in his dream when he was being attacked by monsters.  He used his “powers” to rise into the air in a Karate Kid- or Matrix-like pose and, hovering there, kicked all the monsters in the head.

Following the instructions of my dream yoga teacher, I encouraged my son to celebrate this accomplishment – knowing this would reinforce this fledgling skill for him.

B.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels, reali

David-
Such great power we have.  The snarling wolf is an image I once carried within my dreams as well, although I think I captured mine from The Neverending Story, a wonderfully metaphoric movie about all of this.
I have only walked that fine edge between lucidity and waking myself a handful of times, but one of those I will never forget.  I had a recurring image since I can remember, a woman who appears to me exactly as the little girl in the movie The Ring.  I can remember watching that film in theatres and wondering how the director could get my night-terror on that screen, how even the artsy “film” created by her evil felt exactly as the dreams did.
Once, before seeing the film, she appeared to me wielding two angry dogs, on a chain.  I had been asked to meet her for some reason or another, and beforehand the woman looked completely different, a disguise.  I remember we were meeting in a parking lot full of older automobiles, after she was released from a night shift, or so she initially intoned. 
I arrived in the parking lot to find the cute receptionist morphed into my terror, with two barking, drooling dogs.  As I reached for the door of the nearest car, she released the hounds.  I got inside of the car, an old Impala perhaps, with the vinal bench seats.  I slammed the door, but the window was down.  As I furiously tried to roll it up, the dogs jumped and got their snouts inside, their paws clawing, their teeth gnashing.
The smaller one bit me.  I remember looking down and seeing the teeth sink in, but feeling no pain.  I was gaining control of my fear as I watched my arm get gnawed to the bone.  I smiled and looked up.
Instantly I was standing before her, the dogs back on leashes, an animated and bloodied skeleton with a shit-eating grin on my face.  There was no pain, no fear.  This was my dream, or so I thought.
The woman looked at me with a smirk.  “What…you think you're lucid?” she taunted.  She snapped the fingers of her free hand…
I burst into flame and awoke.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels, reali

My goodness, ItsWill, I am powerfully fascinated by all of this - I love the NeverEnding Story and the recurring image is powerful, perhaps archetypal in its compelling draw. 

Do you dream lucidly often?

Under the Mercy,

Nicole

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels, reali

I learned a different technique as a kid in dealing with dream monsters.  I realized the more I struggled, the more they attacked.  I couldn't escape them and so I did a peculiar thing.  The monster was trying to eat me and so I tried to force myself down its throat.  And it turned out the monster had to do the opposite of whatever I did.  The monster pushed me away.  Monster reverse psychology… it works every time.

Blessings,
Marmalade

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels, reali

As long as it is kept in mind that whatever the dream monster ……an insecurity or fear or a unwelcome astral traveller ……it's all the same, a lucid dreamer is in control always, of who has access to his dreams and when to wake up from any nightmare or just take control at any point…

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels, reali

welcome to the discussion, David. very insightful.

Great strategy, Marmalade.

That's so encouraging and empowering, Bruce.

Yes, DPI. Good to remember,

Light and Peace,

Nicole

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

Some new post about Lucid Dream Lessons

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

Hi Balder, 

In response to your son having nightmares you told him:  “…he has the power to 'wake up' inside his dream and do whatever he wants to do to control it or change it.”

This is such a great story at several levels.  I think most parents want their children to develop healthy egos with which to survive in the world and to hopefully develop their potential, but helping them recognize and become comfortable with their own Being in presence is unfortunately something more difficult it seems.  Your story is a great example of how a parent can mirror presence in a positive way.  First, you told your son it was possible for him to deal with what he thought was uncontrollable about his dreams.  I think I was also 6 years old and, although I feared my father, I did idolize him and took whatever he said to heart.  He knew I was afraid of a lot of things and told me I needed to face my fears, or I would be fearfully running from them forever.  

Obviously your son took your advise to heart and rushed excitedly to tell you of his success.  Your reinforcing encouragement positively mirrored your delight.  Who knows what seed you helped nourish there, what future recognition of his own depth may bloom.

As one who was once a boy, I just want to say, “Way to go Dad!”   

Thanks for the warm welcome, Nicole!

Best wishes to all,

David

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

The pleasure is mine, David! And you're right, great story on so many levels. Bruce has my vote for Dad of the year! :)

Love,

Nicole

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

I believe that I have projected myself but its hard to verify. I have the feelings but I'm always in a far off land. Another wrinkle is that my dreams are all very lucid. I even dream my own movies and sometimes, the credits come up at the end.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

i wonder how one would go about verifying true projection?

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

I don't know. I would imagine that one would have to make contact with someone who is awake during the time you are sleeping and they could verify it. One time that I believe I projected was when I was young and I was in my aunt's kitchen (she lived in Chicago & I lived in Los Angeles) early in the moning and I saw her washing a dish. I asked her about it and she said that she was washing a dish at that time and she felt like someone was watching her and even felt a breeze even though the window was closed but that is the only time something like that happened to me.

Re: Dreaming in Metaphors - Lucid Dreaming, Astral travels

fascinating!