Dream Yoga?

Hi folks,

So about a month ago I had some real bad insomnia. Didn't sleep more than maybe 2, 3 hours each night. The last night, I was trying to doze off and was practicing your typical shamatha. I experienced some weird bodily sensations, and then started dreaming - lucidly. I realized I was in a dream from the start of the dream.

I've since learned this is called WILD (wakefulness into lucid dreaming), and that it occurs with some regularity amongst meditation practitioners (I guess because we practice being aware of stuff. I was, however, unaware that we were supposed to be so aware).

Anyway, this has developed into a regular adjunct to my regular meditation practice. I picked up the book on nyilam (Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep) by Tensin Wangyal Rinpoche, but I'm not really sure where to take it from here (other than, you know... sitting in a dream). Wangyal Rinpoche does a good job in the book, but I'd like a teacher who has firsthand experience with it to guide me through it. I'm aware (ahem) that one can use dreams to develop bodhicitta, and that awareness can be carried down into dreamless sleep; I figure it can't hurt to use the 8 hours (if I'm lucky) I spend in bed every day to practice, rather than just lay there... unaware.

So I figured I'd ask here and see if anybody has any suggestions, especially for a mostly solo practitioner (the nearest Tibetan Buddhist temple is an hour away).

Tags: awareness, bön, dream, lucidity, meditation, nyilam, nyingma, sleep, yoga

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Permalink Reply by Tamon Mark Uttech on February 21, 2011 at 4:35pm

Onegaishimasu, insomnia ceased to be a problem for me when I chanced upon two practices; #1 is to eat an apple. An apple works as a natural tranquilizer and will put me to sleep in 20 minutes. #2 is to focus on breath counting: breathe in for 2 counts, hold for 2 counts, and breathe out for 4 counts. It also helps to turn off the lights and close your eyes.

In gassho,

tamonmark

Permalink Reply by Lama Palmo on February 22, 2011 at 2:13am

hi,

well you know the whole purpose of applying this sacred method is to attain realization and hence enlightenment in order to lead sentient beings out of the miseries of samsara. it's not about I or we. so without this solid, proper foundation in outlook and view together with the committments that go with it, meditation and action most likely develop into just another "ego trip" we embarque on to foster our strong perception of ourselveves. therefore, you really need an authentic skilled Vajrayana teacher from an unbroken lineage to guide you through, from the beginning where we learn to train our minds in proper and authentic altruism in order to apply these sacred methods, right to the end. someone to take you by the hand and guide you all the way thru. books won't do you good since there is no transmission of living experience they come up with, it's just words that are being interpreted by your current state of being. you need the transmission from this living lineage so that things become healthy and beneficial both for yourself and for all others. with prayers, lama palmo

Permalink Reply by David Munro on February 23, 2011 at 4:19am

Hello Chris.

 

I am afraid I only have a few moments before I need to log off and attend a class but I would be keen to discuss these sleep related issues more, if you were interested.  I have spent many years dealing with sleep related issues and I may have some useful advice for you.

 

Hope this short message finds you well and rested!

 

 

Permalink Reply by Chris de Ocejo on February 23, 2011 at 4:44am

Thanks David, and yeah, I would love to hear your experience.

 

My insomnia has calmed down a bit, but it's still there (I woke up around 330 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep). The medication I'm on now (trazodone) has been a great help, but I'm not quite able to say that insomnia is gone. I have some other things going on right now which I think is affecting my sleep negatively, so I'm hoping that if those get sorted out, I will be able to get a full night of rest.

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