Lucid Dreaming
Dream sleep is so distinct in its nature from either deep sleep or wakefulness that it is often referred to as paradoxical sleep, for whilst the blood pressure rises, the pulse quickens, and the brainwaves become remarkably similar to those when we are awake, the rest of the body, except for the rapid movement of the eyes (REM) and tiny spasms and twitching of the fingers and toes, becomes virtually paralyzed. It is thought that this is nature's way of protecting sleepers by preventing them from taking violent action which might be appropriate to whatever was being dreamed. This paralysis may have evolved to limit sudden movements by a sleeping animal which might alert a mighty predator.
A person abruptly awoken from REM sometimes has difficulty moving for a few seconds. This phase of paralytic immobilization seems to be controlled by nerve centres in the primitive brain stem. This state might account for many of the nightmare situations in which the dreamer is being chased or trying to move within a dream and finding his or her limbs are being dragged through treacle.
(The Lucid Dreamer by Malcolm Godwin.)
Interestingly I know many people who suffer from nightmares have this experience of being unable to move away from a percieved threat or similarly unable to move towards a desired goal. The primitive brain stem activates our self preservation responces and will often be associated with fear. In lucid dreaming we eventually learn to direct our dreams in order to overcome our fear. This can be life transforming.
In lucid dreaming we become more conscious in our dream state.
Published by liz on Monday, 11 November 2013,
last updated on Wednesday, 13 November 2013 at 6:11PM
Categories:
Yoga of Dreams