There is a special moment at the cusp of a lucid dream, when you emerge out of reactive, unconscious awareness and into the awareness that you are dreaming. It is often an ‘aha’ moment, a realisation that everything you thought was ‘real’ was in fact a dream. There is often followed by a sense of immense possibility, of excitement and expectation of how the lucid dream will unfold.
Yet, lucid dreams are not the only way to become lucid. Through many different experiences, we can ‘wake up’ and sense that same thrill of becoming aware of a greater reality, and a greater dream that we exist in.
Just like lucid dreaming, cultivating these lucid moments does not necessarily come spontaneously, although sometimes we luckily stumble into them. But also just like lucid dreams there are many ways for inducing a lucid ‘waking’ experiences.
Firstly, we have to really desire to have a lucid awakening. The excitement and expectation that comes from that desire prepares our mind for the experience, and ploughs the ‘earth’ of our consciousness, ready for sowing.
Secondly, using the gardening analogy, we plant the seeds. We do this by engaging some sort of mindfulness practice, which becomes a gateway for the lucid moment to occur. Some ways that people find this are walking in nature, or practicing a favoured form of meditation, through dance or intense physical challenges, it can be through intimate conversation or the intimacy of sex, and also found through creating art or through deep philosophical exploration. This list is not exhaustive, but some of the more common ways that people open to a lucid experience. The key here is maintaining a relaxed yet energised state of mind, and enjoying the activity regardless of whether that ‘aha’ moment comes or not.
Finally, we need to be open to the experience when it comes, to taste the fruits of our cultivation. Sometimes, just like in a lucid dream, the actual moment of awakening can be fleeting and subtle. But if we pay attention and listen for it, then that moment can expand into something truly wonderful and transformative.
The great thing about seeking lucid moments in waking life is that you can attempt it anytime, and in anyway that suits you. Also, the lucid moments do not have to be long to have impact. Sometimes the littlest thing, a new thought, noticing a fragrance, feeling an intimacy in a way you’ve never felt before, these things can subtly but profoundly shift the way you perceive and go about your life. They may give you hope, or a renewed courage, or a feeling of being loved, that transfers into the rest of your life.
And even if we don’t find that lucid moment, the very act of sowing the seeds will help us grow anyway, and if nothing else, we do something that we truly enjoy which is never a bad thing.
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