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If you track this post, I suspect you know something about Lucid Dreaming. This isn’t ‘how to do it.’ There are plenty of books on that. And videos and articles available that are very helpful in terms of instructions. I am wanting this to be helpful in another way. Existentially. That’s my preferred method of interacting and favored therapeutic paradigm. While listening to an old Art Bell Podcast on Lucid dream last night, one of the guest provoked a realization. Practicing Lucid Dreaming has given me greater confidence, but also access to joy.
I have not had a nightmare since I was 16 years old, with one exception- I was sick with fever. Fever dreams feel differently than nightmares, so I might not label them nightmares. I do remember having nightmares and being scared throughout childhood, awakened with heart pounding and sweat; I remember being upset about the dream for a day, even a week. At 16, the last nightmare- it was a recurring dream of being chased by a monster. I never saw the monster. I just knew I was being chased, and I would run. I remember it like it was yesterday. 16, I had this dream and woke up screaming, I was terrified enough to turn on the lights, and then suddenly, I was angry. I swore, “If I ever have this dream again, I will turn and face the monster.” I had the dream again that night. I started to run. I remembered my declaration. I stopped in the dream. I turned around. Monster became a best friend. I woke up elated. No more nightmares.
