Dreams are incredibly powerful tools, but remembering them is not always easy. Some people use dream journals and attempt to write down everything they remember as soon as they wake up. Other people only remember their dreams much later, and will then try to record them. The images we see in our dreams often give us clues about what is going on below the surface – what our subconscious has to say.

For most people, simply remembering what we dreamed is an accomplishment. However, lucid dreaming, a state in which the dreamer can control aspects of the dream world, has proven to have mental and physical health benefits. In fact, it has been utilized by a number of prominent people over the years.

Buddhist monks have practiced lucid dreaming for centuries, and it is an integral part of the Sarvastivada School’s Sutra of Mindfulness of the Body. Physicians, philosophers, and scientists, such as Sir Thomas Brown and Frederick van Eeden, who introduced the term, “lucid dreams,” have been writing about their existence since the 1600s and early 1900s, respectively. It is clear that lucid dreams can have an impact on our waking lives. If you are curious, a lucid dreaming DVD can help you get started. Participate in your dreams and learn from your own inner voice.