lucid dreaming

LUCID DREAMING31

While many have experienced strange or confusing dreams, some wonder if they can exercise control over them. Lucid dreaming is the awareness of one’s own dreams while still in a state of deep sleep. In this state, dreamers are able to potentially change the trajectory of their own dreams, essentially rewriting their plots. It typically occurs during rapid-eye movement, or REM, sleep when brain activity is at its highest during the state of unconsciousness.

Lucid dreaming can be therapeutic, giving one the ability to rewrite past traumas and exercise control over them while also developing a deeper sense of self understanding. The mind is a strong entity, and its strength remains even in the state of unconsciousness. When it comes to one’s mind, there is little to no difference between the world experienced in dreams and what exists in reality.

When one encounters a dream they don’t quite understand, turning to the mysterious and mystical side of the sleeping process can offer some clarity. Dream interpretations have long been studied in order to understand recurring or odd symbols that often raise questions. Most interpreters say to write down dreams so they do not slip from memory, as one forgets 90% of a dream ten minutes after waking up. It may be beneficial to start paying attention to dreams because a lot of what is going on within an individual’s subconscious can reflect what is occurring in a person’s reality. In the book “The Alchemy of Your Dreams,” Athena Laz, author and spiritual depth psychologist, explains some dreamscapes and their symbolism:

1. A cave: the process of going inward

A cave represents and signifies safety. When someone goes into a cave, they are walking inward. The dreamer will see this within a dream if looking within their own mind is desirable or necessary. 2. A mountain: strength and endurance

This type of scenery for a dream can depict two kinds of meanings within the real world. If the dreamer is standing at the top of the mountain feeling victorious, it can suggest an achievement may have occurred or will happen in the near future. On the other hand, if there is a struggle taking place while climbing to the top of the mountain, the dreamer may be having doubts about where they are heading in life and fears about giving up.

3. Open field: expansive possibilities

The open field may appear when a person feels stuck in one path. They might believe that the world has given them their blueprints and that this is where they are heading, but the field will contradict these feelings. The field represents the vast opportunities life has with no singular route to pursue. People often feel stuck and fall back on their old ways; the beauty of seeing an open field or scenery in dreams is to show the dreamer what they are really capable of.

4. A house: emotional love,boundaries and primal safety

A house can signify warmth, security and comfort. Homes are a sacred place for many, so when it appears in a dream, many questions arise. The walls on a house can signify the creation of boundaries with people in life, which is crucial for many relationships. It can also be a flag for the dreamer to slow down and reevaluate oneself by practicing healthy self-care and some alone time from the world.

When people bottle their emotions, they can easily forget the toll it is taking on them— especially when they dream. Many feelings seep into dreams, and the brain will try and decipher them through scenarios. Dreaming of drowning or catastrophes involving water can symbolize bottled up or stuck feelings. Rainfall can suggest a cleansing of a situation that may have occurred in real life.

Lucid dreaming begins as soon as the dreamer realizes that what they are experiencing is not happening in the physical world. This can occur in two ways. First, if the dreamer spots something unusual, this can cause them to realize they are in a dream. This is typically called a reality check, and developing skills to recognize reality checks frequently allows the dreamer more opportunities to lucid dream. The second way lucid dreaming can occur is when a dreamer awakens from REM sleep but immediately goes back to sleep without a break in consciousness. This transition allows the sleeper control over their dream.

In an article called “Neuroscience of Consciousness,” researchers Julian Mutz and Amir Homayoun report that certain areas of the brain experience increased activities during lucid dreaming. These sections of the brain are normally associated with higher cognitive functions like planning, recall and attention. The reason for this ability can be explained by the concept of dual consciousness. Humans’ primary self allows the mind to analyze surroundings and use logic to decipher what is occurring. This feature is usually not present while humans sleep, resulting in the inability to control dreams. In lucid dreaming, however, this primary self wakes up, and so do the logic, reasoning and awareness in the subconscious that tells the mind it is asleep.

Style: Haley Poag Glam: Andie Bahm and Ava Cortiana Photo: Milan Lazovski and Karina Stankowski Writers: Kiara Reyes, Nina Cascardo and Islay HepburnModels: August Allison and Kari Eickholdt