83

83/100: DREAM.TXT
Name: Belladonna #2 @5413
Date: Sat Jun 15 07:55:05 1991
From: The 286 Express PIN (Louisiana)

The following essay was originally a post I made on the WWIVNet sub
"Shamanism Druidism American Indian" in response to another user asking
how to remember dreamms.  Later, I extracted it, added to it and 
clarified it.  THis essay in no way attempts to tell all there is to
tell about the art of dreaming; many books have been written on this.
I have, however, attempted to summarize the main ideas.
-----

There are several disciplines one can practice to remember dreams.  Some of 
the easier and more effective disciplines are keeping a dream diary and 
meditating right before going to sleep; in this meditation one asks for a 
dream.  There are also certain stones one can use, and certain dietary 
modifications one can make.  If anyone out there knows of any other 
disciplines which are reasonably easy and effective besides the ones I 
mention, please add them in.

[PAUSE]       Dreams are important in many mystical and magickal studies all over the world,
because dreams are an easily accessible gateway between the spirit world
and the material world.  Of particular note is the "big dream".  This term,
"big dream" is the English approximation for the names given a certain type
of dream in various traditions in various places in the world.  All dreams
deserve study; not just the big dreams.

The dream diary is a notebook kept by the bed, with a pen handy.  A felt-tip 
marker works well, as it is easy to handle when you're half-asleep and the 
light in the room is very dim.  Immeditately on waking, write down the last 
thing you remmeber.  Then the thing before that, and before that, etc.  Then, 
go over it again, writing down any details that come to mind.  You can  also 
write interpretations that come to mind, if you want.  Record all dreams, not 
just the "big dreams".  Big dreams are relatively rare.  They seem more real 
than ordinary dreams, clearer and more important.  Often they contain 
insights, teachings, or missions.  They may contain music, chanting, or 
rhythm; if ever you receive music in a dream, accept it as a precious gift.  
Write it down,  if you know a system  of musical notation, otherwise sing or 
hum it into a tape recorder.  Don't think you'll never forget the music; as 
the day goes by, you will forget, and  waste a precious gift,  if you don't 
write it down or preserve it on tape in some way.  Some people prefer to use a 
tape recorder by the bedside in place of a notebook for a dream diary, but I 
prefer the notebook since it adds a little discipline.  Discipline is sorely 
[PAUSE]       lacking in modern society.  Be sure to give thanks for any big dreams you 
recieve, or any gifts (insights, teaching, music, etc) you  recieve thru 
dreams.  Thank the Divine Principle and your personal guardian/teacher spirits 
in whatever manner seems appropriate.

To develop lucid dreaming,  develop a habit of asking yourself, many times 
thru the day, "am I dreaming?"  Then test to see if you are.  The test is, if 
you are dreaming, anything you think of will immediately manifest. If you are 
awake, things you think of will manifest much more slowly, or not at all 
(unless you concentrate purposefully and are gifted in this area).  This habit 
will carry over to your dream life.  When you ask "am I dreaming?" and you 
are, you will become lucid.  At this point, you may do fun things like fly, 
visit other worlds, solve problems, call and speak to your spiritual guardians 
and teachers, etc.  Remember that you are dreaming, you can do whatever you 
want and nothing can hurt you.  If you reach a barrier, try to find a way 
around the barrier, or thru a crack or thin spot in it.

Some teachings on the art of achieveing the lucid dream state suggest that you
test "am I dreaming" by trying to fly.  But a little thought cautions against
this.  If you try too hard to fly when you are awake, you could get hurt very
badly, and if you make a half-hearted attempt to fly when you are dreaming,
you may not be successful.  So the test I suggested, to see how quickly your
thoughts materialize, if at all, is a much safer test.
[PAUSE]       
Right before going to sleep, lie flat on your back on the bed, spine straight 
and body relaxed.  Breathe deeply and rhythmically until you feel your 
consciousness alter.  Then, concentrate on what you want to dream about.  
Command  yourself to remember your dreams.  If possible, go to sleep in this 
position, flat on your back with spine  straight and body relaxed.

If you are doing any serious dream-work, ask your spouse, roommate, family
members, etc, not to wake you unless for a very serious reason.  It can be 
quite frustrating to achieve lucidity, and fly, or  chat with a spirit -
guide, or defeat your fears, or whatever, only to be awakened for some
frivolous reason!  In some traditions it is even said to be detrimental to 
one's health if one is awakened  while s/he is doing heavy dream-work.
For this reason,  it is best to plan your heavier dream-work for weekends
or whenever you don't have to get up early.

Generally, dreams are private affairs.  You may be temmpted to speak of a 
dream,  but this is generally not a good idea, although occaisionally you may 
speak of a "big dream", when asking for someone to help you interpret it, or 
if the dream gives you a message which is meant to be shared.  The dream diary 
is an assist to keeping this silence.  Silence builds power and wisdom.

Certain dietary modifications can facilitate dreaming.  Avoid heavy meals 
[PAUSE]       right before going to bed; also curtail use of drugs or alchohol including 
caffeine.

Certain stones help dreaming.  These stones may be worn on your body as 
jewelry or in a pouch around your neck, or, if this is not possible, kept  in 
a pouch under your pillow or hanging on your bedpost.  Some stones that come 
to mind are amber, herkimer diamond, turquoise, amethyst, and fossils, 
especially coiled  shell fossils.  There are others but these come to mind 
most readily and, except for the amber, are not difficult to obtain.  Anyone 
else out there have any others they like to use for dreams?

That's about all that comes to mind for helping dreaming. There are many 
boooks and articles on this.  Western civilization is beginning to realise 
what our cousins in traditional cultures have always known; dreams can be an 
important gateway to spirit, and we should pay attention to them and help them 
to come.  And when we get a dream, especially a big dream, give thanks!

The above essay was originally a post on a WWIV net sub.  If anyone has any
comments, please address them to me, Belladonna, 2 @ 5413.




[PAUSE]       Read:(1-100,^83),? :