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MAD SCIENTIST'S COOKBOOK: THE LUCID DREAM MACHINE by Peter Nielsen MAD SCIENTIST'S COOKBOOK: ceived had any ultimate reality, that your middle. However, in a lucid dream, the THE LUCID DREAM MACHINE real self was safe somewhere else in the scenery is reflected back to us mostly from by Peter Nielsen real world, waiting for your return, and you within. Anything seemingly ‘out there’ J could do anything with impunity without feels inherently 'riskless’ or native to one's HANGING LUCID . pain or consequence. Try to simulate this inner core. Ultimately, however, outside Everyone has dreams. We often remem- feeling now. Feel the elation rising in your and inside are the same. In lucid dreaming, ber them after we wake up. What makes chest? This is immortal life-energy, and -we go everywhere by going nowhere. The lucid (‘loo-syd’) dreams so mind-blowing is _ we are sitting on it all the time, like a cork _ sense of freedom is incredible. that at some point during the dream you ina bottle of champagne. Time also moves faster in dreams. Think know that you are dreaming—without of all the heroics, psychodrama or animal physically waking up. By contrast, ina POWER DREAMING instincts you could invite out of your sub- non-lucid dream everything seems unques- In lucid dreaming, another spooky thing conscious for a one-night stand. Steven tionably real to the dreamer. Just as in happens: the recognition of unreality gives LeBerge, the pioneer who documented waking life, the awareness is ‘locked up' by you instant power over your own percep- _ lucidity in the lab with prearranged eye sig- perceptions of a body which owes itself to tions. In other words, you can mould the nals from the dream-state, says "...when its immediate environment. You can't ride content of the dream—and everyone in it— you dream, you do something to your brain a horse through a brick wall. Both are the as it takes shape. It's done the same as you that's as if you've actually done it. So, same density, woven of the same stuff. would picture something in your mindright there are strong relationships between What's needed instead is a quantum leap of now. Let's check it out. Close your eyes dream content and physiology." Dreaming awareness itself. This lights up the exit and visualise a city street. Then change it is a softener, healer and mediator of both door, letting us step back into a wider per- to a deserted beach. Note the 'plastic’ stage inner and outer selves. It was a key ele- spective, away from the false impression of in between. Watch how your eyes project ment in ‘primitive’ cultures where both a fixed reality. The dreamer is no longer the image and interact with your concentra- worlds were seen as one. Without this bal- part of the dream, but can choose to remain tion. We are the original virtual reality ance today, we are weighed down and init machine, not a passive viewing process at embittered by the apparent finality of mate- Imagine how you would feel if, while all—yet, paradoxically, gripped by our rial life, It's also the perfect space for over- reading this magazine, you suddenly environment. This meeting of inner and coming self-doubt or fear. Mirroring their flashed, "This is incredible! I must be outer pressures defines each individual new sense of liberation, many dreamers dreaming.” What if you then knew, with consciousness. Like a particle of dustin a fulfill a deep urge to fly. It seems to be a absolute certainty, that nothing being per- _ raindrop, the body-self sort of floats in the universal expression of totality. However, even a moment of doubt drags one down — like lead leotards, Think of flying as natur- al. That's all. To keep things light, I'll let you fantasise about what others get up to. We've seen it all on TV. This is lurid dreaming. GETTING THERE IS BEING THERE If there is a destination, there must be a trip. Increased frequency of lucid dreams is a natural part of spiritual growth. Here are a few proven techniques which can be used with a dream machine or on their own. They should be done every day for a period of time. 1) Set your alarm to wake up about two hours before usual. Do ‘mindfulness’ medi- tation, such as counting your breaths, for about thirty minutes. Retum to bed and lie on your right side, as recommended in Tibetan ‘dream yoga’. Let yourself drift off NEXUS ¢53 POWER DREAMING AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 1994