References to lucid dreams (LDs) can be found as far back as Aristotle, and dream yoga has existed for centuries in Tibetan Buddhism. Similar practices exist in Daoism and Hindu traditions. The scientific community has actively researched the phenomenon of LDs for half a century. Some scholars compare lucid dreaming to the state of wakefulness and regular dreaming, while others view lucid dreaming as a form of spontaneous meditation.
Russian researcher Sergei Kukharenko attempted to determine whether the experience of lucid dreaming is similar to meditative experiences (regardless of specific traditions or religions). The author conducted an online survey among respondents recruited through LD practitioner groups on social media. Data were collected over eight months, and the participants represented ten countries.
The results showed that about two-thirds of lucid dreamers practice meditation. Moreover, most lucid dreamers experience meditative states within LDs, such as feelings of presence, stillness, tranquility, joy, compassion, and love. However, some aspects are atypical for meditation—for example, the desire to control the surrounding space, the desire to fly, and euphoria.
Other researchers sometimes consider LDs as observing the flow of consciousness in the dream state. If that is the case, LDs would have the same nature as waking meditation experiences. As the author notes, an LD is similar to meditation but possesses unique qualities not found in meditation or wakefulness alone. An LD entails more than simply awakening within a dream.
Do you practice meditation? Does your experience with LDs resemble meditative states?
The article was published in August 2023 in Smaratungga: Journal of Education and Buddhist Studies.
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