DREAM YOGA DREAMYOG.TXT ********************************************************************** The Tantric Tradition of "Dream Yoga." Western versions of "lucid dreaming skills" are popping up everywhere now, from new-age journals to community college courses, to modern psychotherapy. Dream Yoga could be called a type of lucid dreaming, but is quite different from "dream analysis" of the Freudian nature, which tends to be more confusing than enlightening. Tantra teaches, and I believe, that any subconscious or spiritual "message" revealed in a dream will tend to be fairly straightforward and uncomplicated until one begins wondering about hidden meanings and symbolism. And, depending on one's background, knowledge, and path, the 'symbolism' will be relative: Freud's serpent as phallic symbol would not make sense to a Tantrist, who would more likely view it as the Kundalini, and be glad that she has awakened and is in direct communication. I also want to emphasize that Tantric Dream Yoga differs from lucid meditative visions, which can be quite vivid. Although the brain waves may move in similar patterns during deep meditation and actual sleep, Tantric Dream Yoga refers to that which is performed during 'actual' sleep. History is full of individuals who receive profound insights during dreams: Watson & Crick's vision of the structure of the DNA helix was originally received or revealed during dreaming. Samuel Taylor Coleridge dreamed _Kublai Khan_ before recording it in writing! Profound insights, *white Tantric union* or simple subconscious messages of import are all waiting to be claimed during dream time. The mind, conscious, subconscious, and unconscious, has an innate power for visualization, which is necessary for meditation and awareness. Thus, the first step toward mastering Dream Yoga is to cultivate a sort of continuity of consciousness throughout. Sri Swami Visnudevananda, a highly respected traditional Hindu and Hatha Yoga instructor, has said: "When one is awake, when one is dreaming, when one is in deep sleep--only one state is present, the other two excluded of necessity. The only thing that remains constant is the Self. Thus, the only reality *is* the Self." This goes far toward assisting me, personally, to grasp the concept of "this is all a dream," or "all is illusion, Maya." The Self is present, whether waking, sleeping, or dreaming. So the Self is the bridge toward the continuity of consciousness. Rather than saying 'this world is illusory, therefore it doesn't matter what I do,' a person must act responsibly, not denying *reality* but remembering that the Self is the bridge, the sum-total, and the All. The intent to succeed works as well in Dream Yoga as it does in the corporate marketplace, the home, the Temple, or anywhere else. It is crucial. When beginning on the practice of Dream Yoga, it is best to avoid eating a lot of food heavy in sugar and fat; to avoid overeating at all; and to avoid over-strenuous activities--western stuff, like running until one's heart explodes! Hatha Yoga, T'ai Chi, and such subtle physical postures, though, are ideally suited and should be practiced by Dream neophytes--in my not so humble opinion, by everyone. Here is a traditional basic way to get started: A bit before planning to go to sleep, take a warm bath or shower-- in this case, allow the body to be relaxed by the warmth and ignore the hot/cold recommendations of the Fire/Water text on file here. Scented oils or herbs added to the bathwater will help-- in order to achieve spiritual insight, sweet-smelling herbs, oils, and incense are recommended, as they relate to the upward flow of vital energy, the Primary Prana, the Heart Chakra, and the principle of cohesion. Rose, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Cedar, and Patchouli are some Sattvic scents that are highly recommended. Despite scientific reasoning, to a Tantric practitioner, pure essences are far better than any synthetic scents. Essential oils and natural herbs are widely available, retain and by mail order. Following the bath or shower, perform the "calming" breaths of Pranayama, naturally in this case, leaving the "vital" breaths for another time. Then perform seated or prone Hatha exercises; not standing, balancing, or exertive types. One can also, if knowledgeable, employ scents, breaths, and asanas which relate to the god/goddess/archetype one is dedicated to or wishes to attract wisdom from during the dream state. IMPORTANT: When you are ready to go to sleep, lie on your RIGHT SIDE. The Tantras, and indeed, many ancient Yogic texts, teach that when one lays on one's side, the breath through the opposite nostril becomes dominant. Therefore, the left nostril will take in the vital Prana--creating dominance of lunar breath, and awakening of the left psychic channel, which are best suited to creative dreaming, specially as the lunar breath is directly related to the Shakti/Prakrti, or creative/natural power of energy, and the enhancing of intuitive knowledge. From a scientific western standpoint, the left brain/right brain aspect seems to come into play also--the left side being the creative, intuitive, rather than the linear-logic function of the right brain. Ensure that you are in a comfortable position, warm enough, on a proper mattress or futon, or wherever you sleep, which will not hurt your back. Scented pillows or burning incense in the room will also assist in achieving the proper receptive state. If you are sleeping with your partner/lover, Tantra teachings indicate that both should lie on their right sides; bodies touching. Visualize yourselves as the Ida and Pingala, the right and left subtle nerves, entwining around the Susumna and enhancing one another, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Dream Yoga with a partner can be practiced after sexual union, or in its absence. A slight pressure on the right side of face and throat is recommended. Lovers can do this for one another, through embrace; or if alone, with the pillow or one's own arm, curled under the neck. Press the chin into the throat area, allowing saliva to collect in the mouth before swallowing it slowly, concentrating on 'feeding' the throat Chakra (that which relates to communication and the free flow of information). Visualize the throat chakra illuminated, such as the brilliant reflections of light off a pure green emerald. Then visualize the Sanskrit glyph for "AUM" or a trident, symbol of Siva, gleaming a radiant red hue. If the visualization is vivid and complete enough, the nerves in the throat cavity will be stimulated, as well as the consciousness being fixed at the Subtle Chakra. The concentration will also help one remember the dreams, upon waking. Another Tantric visualization recommends 'seeing' yourself in the image of a dancing Dakini, colored red. The Dakini stems from Chinese Taoist/Tantric teachings; the five Dakinis having been the consorts/Initiatresses/muses of the Yellow Emperor. As an archetype, the Red Dakini represents both erotic passion and wisdom. She is depicted as young and full-bodied, with her third eye constantly open and blazing. She holds a bowl and a razor-sharp knife, the mystic glyphs of compassionate non-attachment and the severing of ego, limits, and dualities. The visualization of the Red Dakini arouses the emotions, which when intentionally evoked, put the usually unconscious emotional reactions under conscious control. With repeated practice and focus, various Initiators and/or Initiatresses will appear in one's dreams, taking on distinct personalities and personifications. They often have a distinctly sexual nature. These personifications, if the dream is truly controlled, can be consciously construed as (a) your Tantric partner (b) your Tantric master, or (c) Siva/Shakti directly, without the use of a 'bridge' to them. In the bad old days, these mystic forms or personifications were called incubi and succubi, and thought of as 'evil spirits' or 'demons' which tempt and seduce the righteous in their sleep. From Salem, Massachusetts and beyond, witches were accused of both conjuring incubi and succubi for sex, and of sending them out to ruin the pure of heart. Wet dreams were said to be the work of incubi and succubi; the Catholic church until recently recognized such forms as 'real' and evil in nature, associating them with the devil. Any society which places an emphasis on guilt and sexual repression has its history where such things are concerned. Traditional Hindu yogis thought of these spirits as related to past incarnations. Eastern, and especially Tantric thought recognizes them as protective entities; either mystic forms of Tantric gurus from other realms, personifications of one's own Tantric Master, or healthy spirits with important knowledge to impart. So--don't be frightened or allow any vestiges of guilt-ridden upbringing to intrude should you encounter such a sensual mystic form in your dreams! The developers of psychoanalytic thought taught that all dreams were essentially sexual in nature. Freud's theory was that sexual dream imagery stemmed from unfulfilled or taboo desires; Jung's that it evolved from the collective unconscious. The Tantras teach that through knowing and interacting with these mystic dream entities, one will learn truths about oneself, be confronted with obstacles in the path toward liberation, and work out Karma (whether from 'past' incarnations or the present incarnation). As with modern thought, the Tantras recommend the keeping of a 'dream book' or journal. This will help record progress, and study of the dream images that remain upon wakening will help reveal their meaning. It would be best to identify the mystic sexual images with oneSelf and the lover, if *red* Tantrists--part of a couple--or directly with Siva/Shakti, if a *white* or solitary Tantrist. In my own experience, I have found that my dreams have been "shared," or nearly identical with my Tantric master, who is quite far from me location-wise. In this way, we practice red Tantra, although our bodies are apart. This has also been referred to as "astral sex." I've also found that, in addition to simple sexual union, I always obtain some gem of wisdom during such dreams. The Taoist Tantra, the Yu-Fang-Pi-Chuh, describes sexual union with incubus/succubus, its reaction a bit mixed, but interesting: "One should remain alone, without the company of other humans. One should remain in complete meditative tranquility, concentrating upon sexual energy. After three days and three nights, the body will suddenly feel alternately hot and cold, the vision will become blurred, and the heart will be troubled. Then a man will suddenly seem to meet a woman of great beauty; or if a woman practices thus, she will meet a strong and sexual man. When sexual intercourse is practiced with such a being, the pleasure will be more than any normal human being is able to experience. Yet upon culmination, a lethargy will be manifest, which will be difficult to cure. Then the man or the woman must refrain from sexual intercourse until the energy is conserved in the body, until it seems that one would burst, so that one may make love to a human woman or man for a whole day and night without ceasing. When the body is so weary that one is unable to continue the act of sex, the sexual organs should remain united as sleep occurs. This shall ensure that any harm caused by the incubus or succubus will surely be cured." As the dream winds down, whatever its context, a unifying thread should be able to be grasped. The most significant, vivid images, or the ones that give the dream a sense of reality or coherence should be grasped and retained. This method is known as an Initiation into the realm of the unconscious, or the spiritual world. If practiced sufficiently and regularly, this image will be in your mind when you awaken; and should reveal not only the experience of the dream, but its subtle meaning or message. Dream yoga in Tantra, has been referred to as an Initiation to the Source of inspiration, outside the limits of human awareness. Going up and down in the dream state, the higher aspect of the dream spirit can assume many different forms. This may be enjoyment in the company of beautiful women, or laughter shared with companions, or beholding wonderful or even terrible sights." --BRIHADARANYAKA-UPANISAD. AUM CHANDA CHINNAYA MASTA AUM. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- D. Yogini Padma Ushas Suryananda, other sources as cited. (c) Rose Dawn Scott