Dreaming to Become Awake

The real magic of lucidity is becoming conscious of our own umwelt so we can begin to bend it in both worlds.

Our life is but a dream, self-centered or not. That is, it is something fleeting and insubstantial. All dharmas, Buddha said, share that insubstantiality, that emptiness of any permanent nature. So the usual dichotomy between what’s solid and real and what’s fleeting and insubstantial dissolves. Waking up only occurs within the larger dream of life

The scientists placed each participant into an MRI scanner numerous times over the course of several days. Every time the participant fell asleep, the researchers would wait for a short while as they recorded the brain activity, and then wake the person up and obtain a dream report. Then they would let the person fall back to sleep, and repeat the

Waking up in our dreams can be more enchanting than any fairy tale, more liberating than any social or scientific revolution, and more fun than any earthly adventure.

Dreams feel as real as life—the primary distinction between dreaming and waking consciousness is an absence of a sense of self, insight, self-reflection. You aren't surprised that you can fly, walk through walls, or meet long-dead animal companions, lovers, parents, or siblings. You are along for the ride, watching a movie that someone else is dire