Lucid Dreaming = Controlling the Dream?
Lucid Dreaming= Controlling the Dream?
I am often asked if lucid dreaming means controlling the dream. My answer is: No.
Let me explain more: Yes, it is right, when we get lucid we can choose to a certain extent what to do in the dream, comparable as when we are in the waking state. And yes, there might be less limitations in a dream as flying and materializing something out of the nowhere might be suddenly in the possibilities of the choices. But if you already have had some lucid dreams you might have experienced that not always everything worked as you planned or that some dream figures tell you something absolutely different to what you expected. So, why is the dream not under our control? And why is it nevertheless a good idea to have a plan for your first or your next lucid dream?
Why do I teach in my workshops that it can be usefull to have a plan, an intention for your next lucid dream if lucid dreaming is not about controlling the dream? The reason is because one key to become lucid, probably the most important one, is to REALLY WANT to become lucid. If you come up with something thrilling that you want to explore you are way more likely to become lucid. Especially in the beginning of learning how to lucid dream this is very helpful. You can see it as a learning process. During dream experiments we get familiar with the new worlds that open up in our dreams and we can get rid of many limiting believes. “Oh no, I can not reach with my hand through a wall. Oh wait. Yes, I can!” And you will be surprised, getting rid of limiting believes about what you can or cannot do will be spilled into your waking life as well.
And if it feels not right for you to create an intention like “Tonight I will fly.” You can also note down in your dream journal this intention: “Show me what I need to know right now.”
Why does not everything work that we planned to do in our dreams? Why do some dream figures react so different to what we expected? To answer these questions we also have to look at these questions: Are dreams only produced by our own brain and is consciousness limited to the brain of each person? Or might there be a universal consciousness to which we get access through our dreams?
I like a lot what Waggoner says: “No sailor controls the sea. Only a foolish sailor would say such a thing.” It´s similar with dreams. Dreams are so much bigger then we are. Dreams give us the incredible possibility to get in touch with our own subconscious and additionally with so much more. We get access to the past, the future, different dimensions. Lucid Dreaming is another state of consciousness that opens up so many doors. We can learn so much, get access to the source of creativity, have a look at our past lives, communicate with departed, see into the future, talk with animals and plants and so so so much more. It´s not about controlling, this is way too big.
Sleep well and see you in the astral