Meditation

Improved muscular strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Reduction in falls in elderly people. Improved bone mineral density. Improved glucose tolerance. Improved cardiac reactivity related to work strain. Decreased ischemic response to exercise. Reduced responsibeness tostress hormones. Improved lipid profile (decreased LDL and total cholesterol) Improved pulmonary function. Reduction in blood pressure. Decreased mortality in hypertensive patients. Decreased pain and pain sensitization. Increased self-awareness, self-efficacy, and personal empowerment. Decreased state of anxiety and neuroticism. Effective adjunct to existing stress and anger management programs. Reduction in medical and economic costs of psychological distress.

In addition, some Dream Yogans report other benefits, including:

Improved sleep. Better dream recall. Less stressful, confrontational, angry dreams. Increased ability to apply dream group recommendations in their waking life. Enhanced dream lucidity. Heightened dream creativity.

As you move into the transpersonal realms of development, you will find yourself increasingly able to leave behind the realm of images, feelings, thoughts, and archetypes, rather like a plane that can leave the earth and soar above the clouds, eventually breaking free of the atmosphere, leaving Earth and our solar system far behind.

Whether you want to embark on such a journey is up to you. Dream Yoga begins where you are today and addresses those forces that teather you to the earth while strengthening your confidence in just how high you can fly. You will find that meditation will enhance your non-attachment to your dream imagery, resolve recurring karmic patterns that appear in them, and generally integrate your spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and interpersonal lives as it first integrates and then transcends those roles which express in each of these.

Just as masters do not stop dreaming, so will you never outgrow your need to witness yourself, regardless of how much meditation you do. Consequently, Dream Yoga will continue its work of purifying and integrating your consciousness, regardless of your level of spiritual development. But when meditation and Dream Yoga are combined, the result is more transformational than either one by itself.

The following article talks about how Dream Yoga enhances the development of seven characteristics cultivated by meditation: mindfulness, energy, investigation, rapture/interest, concentration, tranquillity, and equanimity.

Dream Yoga and the Development of Meditative Consciousness

Meditation is a highly therapeutic state of mind. In an article called The Seven Factors of Enlightenment, in Paths Beyond Ego, Eds. Walsh, R., & Vaughn, E. Jeremy P. Tarcher, Los Angeles, CA, 1993, Jack Kornfield states that meditation is characterized by seven qualities. Meditation develops these qualities. When dreamwork is used to develop these characteristics, support the practice of meditation and the flowering of meditative consciousness, it functions as a form of dream transpersonal practice. It can also be said that to the extent that these qualities are present during any activity, one is meditating. It is not unusual to find, through character identification, that some members of most dream groups have some of these characteristics; some dream group members will be found to exhibit quite a few of them.

Meditation is most definitely the royal road to the development of these characteristics. However, it is absolutely essential that your brain is supplied with sufficient quantities of neurotransmitter precursors or your success in developing these qualities, no matter how much meditation, dream yoga, spiritual service, or other transpersonal activities, will be limited. It is like mountain climbing in a wheelchair! You will lack sufficient energy, or positive mood, or mental focus, or equanimity to move forward. Because the blood-brain barrier is very selective and limited in what it allows in, it is normally difficult to provide the brain with sufficient quantities of the necessary amino acids to optimize its functioning. To learn more about an outstanding product that will make sure that your practice has a solid neurological foundation, send an email requesting information on Restores+ to restores@dreamyoga.com or go to www.restoresplus.com and enter sponsor id# 4318482.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the ability to dispassionately witness our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The essence of mindfulness is to pay attention to anything and everything without judging and without preconceptions. In its perverted aspect it manifests as unconscious identification, passivity and emotional apathy - the lack of preference due to lack of caring, empathy or concern.

Dream yoga supports the development of mindfulness in several ways:

• Character identification is a process of taking unconscious identifications and placing them fully in the light of awareness. By so doing, we are paying attention to that to which we were oblivious before. In this regard, dream group member identification may serve as an exercise in mindfulness. In "Confronting a Waiter" (6/13/97), the Cliffs demonstrate both in their preferences and their elaborations a degree of mindfulness. "I most closely personify Joseph's serenity and meditative attunement. The reason why I am in this dream is to remind him to make small, daily decisions out of that consciousness."

• stating "no preference" (a "zero" preference) may either indicate dispassionate witnessing or passivity and emotional apathy. The dream group member often makes clear through its comments which it intends.

• As we learn to stand aside and observe the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors of a dream group member we grow in our ability to dispassionately witness the drama of our lives.

• As we help others to identify with their own dream group members we grow in our ability to compassionately support without judgment and without preconception. These characteristics are strengthened as we support the flowering of insight without intruding with our own interpretations and agenda into the dreamwork process.

• As we develop and implement in our daily lives action plans that are based on dream group recommendations, we cultivate mindfulness through observing ourselves grappling with change and resistance.

To use your dreamwork to aid in the development of mindfulness, focus on the above characteristics as you work on your dreams and those of others. If you are meeting with success, you will find increasing instances of each characteristic as your dreamwork and meditation progresses.

Energy

Energy is a feeling of vitality, aliveness, spontaneity, ability. It is the ability to stay conscious and aware. When a strong sense of self exists, energy is experienced as a strong feeling of power and control, which is easily addictive. As attachment to self diminishes, power and control diminish, leaving pure energy. In its perverted aspect energy, manifests as power, control addictions and mania.

Dream yoga supports the development of energy in several ways:

• Action tends to increase energy, to a point. For example, when we exercise we may feel tired but also energized and more alive. When we wrestle with a new concept, creativity is usually triggered. The action of character identification also creates energy through identification with the energy facets personified by the dream group member. For instance, in "The Workshop, 10/6/97, the Stage says, "I most closely personify Don's performance, his sharing with others, his writing and speaking, creativity. The reason why I am in this dream is to remind Don to tap into that creativity more, to start using little used talents.."

• The type and degree of energy produced through character identification is determined by 1) the extent of our ability to immerse ourselves in a character role and by 2) the vitality and numinousness inherent in the character. For example, when we identify with Dream Self, (ourselves in the dream), we are rarely energized because we are generally identifying with our typical waking state of consciousness. When we identify with (for instance), fire, we are much more likely to feel alive, vibrant and powerful, even if the fire is uncontrolled and destructive.

• Character identification increases understanding, reduces resistance and repression. As we re-own aspects of ourselves, we gain access to whatever energy a character embodies. This may be transformative or it may be subtle and incremental, but it is very real and of enormous import for our spiritual development.

• In Traveling in the Mind, (10/28/97), the Shower says, "I am important for her. She should take lots of showers. She should do whatever it takes to let go of fear! Don't work so hard! Don't try so hard!" As we apply in our waking lives the recommendations of dream group members we affirm the oneness of our inner and outer worlds. This makes our inner world more accessible to us on an ongoing basis, which increases our energy.

To develop energy, focus on the above characteristics as you work on your dreams and those of others. Pick dream group members which personify energy and identify with them at those times throughout the day when you want to cultivate higher energy.

Investigation

Investigation is an ongoing alert and persistent inquisitiveness. It is looking very deeply at experience, exploring the process of ourselves. It is a clear curiosity without thoughts. Paranoia is an example of the perversion of this characteristic.

Dream transpersonal practice supports the development of investigation in several ways:

• When we lay aside our biases, judgments and preconceptions about the dream we create space for new possibilities to emerge.

• Forming a hypothesis about the dream is an expression of inquisitiveness and guides investigation.

• Questioning characters is an act of investigation. In The Baby, 1/16/97, the dreamer says, "I am so surprised about this! I guess Second Man is a part of me that is stuck and enslaved in the false concept of time." In the action plan she says, "I have to work with the concept of a part of me wanting to change something maybe before its time."

• Identifying with dream group members who display clear, alert inquisitiveness amplifies this characteristic of meditative consciousness in our awareness.

• We can also be educated by our dream group members about the perversion of investigation. In "Crossing the River," 10/22/97, the Ferry says, "I most closely personify Toini's critical side, the one that sees things more clearly, perhaps, but tends to be critical of others, a "know it all," without compassion for the failures of others or herself. The reason why I am in this dream is to remind Toini that she has that side, that discernment is important, but to use it in a kind way, in regard to herself and others - not in a critical way."

To develop investigation through dream yoga, focus on these characteristics as you work on your dreams and those of others. Apply those action plan recommendations that are designed to cultivate this characteristic in your life. Pick dream group members which personify investigation and identify with them at those times throughout the day when you want to cultivate higher order investigation.

Rapture/Interest

Rapture is a captivating delight and affective focus. It means intense joy. When one experiences this quality, meditation can easily become addictive. Rapture is also mimicked in its perverted form by destructive addictions: alcoholism, codependency, drug dependency, sexual addiction, or compulsive gambling. Its perverted opposite is hair-raising fright, such as one gets from a good nightmare.

Dream transpersonal practice supports the development of rapture in several ways:

• Sudden insight into ourselves through character identification is a type of rapture and an intensifier of motivation. In Dancing in the Light, (6/13/97), Bonfire says, "It's OK to have attention. It's wonderful to have attention! It's not infringing on others to have attention! It's a way of giving other people joy! It's a gift! It's an opportunity to give! I am ever-giving of light, warmth, energy. What I give isn't a giving away, it's the gift that comes automatically just by being myself. My needs are automatically fulfilled. People want me. They feed me because they want me!" ("Scares the shit out of me!") Here is a clear call to be more - one that is so much more as to be threatening to the dreamer.

• Strong emotional catharsis (often crying) is an example of strong affective focus. As internal conflicts are resolved this catharsis becomes more joyful and blissful.

• The identification with joyful dream group members supports the development of this characteristic in our waking life.

To develop rapture, focus on these characteristics as you work on your dreams and those of others. Pick dream group members which personify rapture and identify with them at those times throughout the day when you want to cultivate higher rapture.

Concentration

Concentration is the ability to stay on task, to consistently direct awareness. It is one-pointedness, the ability to focus the mind in a powerful way; mental stillness. Obsessive-compulsiveness or chronic worry are perversions of this characteristic.

Dream transpersonal practice supports the development of concentration in several ways:

• In a sense, the hypothesis formed before working on a dream and which serves to guide our questioning of the dream group members works in a way not unlike a centering tool in meditation. We return to it again and again to direct our questioning.

• Character identification teaches prolonged dissociation from waking identity. This is necessary if transpersonal level of consciousness are to emerge. In Extraterrestrials, 1/20.97, Extraterrestrials say, "The things he can learn from us are our single-mindedness of purpose and the quality with which we do things. We would give him these characteristics more than he has now." In the dream summary commentary the Extraterrestrials say, "We demonstrate a singleness of unified purpose, single mindedness, focus."

• Some dream group members are very focused. They personify some aspect of concentration. In Icebergs, 1/25/97, the Icebergs are very goal oriented, but are perceived with much ambivalence. they say, "We like San Diego because we're really going to make a mess out of it. Maybe we're here to give San Diego fresh water because there's a drought - who knows? The people see us as evil. The boats are afraid of us. The boats are in my way. The crowd is making assumptions that we are here to do harm, so we don't like that. We like our power and having a destination. Without the ocean we wouldn't move. What I like most about being in this dream is the sense of moving forward and having a destination and that we are causing such a reaction with the crowd - we're getting noticed. We are here to do something pretty important, so they should take note of us." We see here themes of concentration of purpose and the importance of attention - an aspect of concentration.

• Following through with dream group member waking recommendations requires concentration and the ability to consistently direct awareness.

To develop concentration, focus on these characteristics as you work on your dreams and those of others. Pick dream group members which personify concentration and identify with them at those times throughout the day when you want to cultivate higher concentration.

Tranquillity

Tranquillity is a profound and lasting peace that pervades all experience. It is a calm balance in relation to the changing circumstances of experience. In its perverted aspect, boredom affords an opportunity to contact tranquillity.

Dream transpersonal practice supports the development of tranquillity in several ways:

• Character identification teaches that there is no death, only transformation. As this awareness sinks in, our fear of annihilation diminishes and with it all our fear-based programming. Conflict born of survival programming dissipates; in its place a profound peace emerges. I really don't care very much about most things. I look up at the world with equanimity. In Death by Mud, (2/21/97), Mud, which swallows the dreamer's car with him in it, says, "Give me a car, I'll swallow it for you; give me a human and I'll take care of him, too. I am extremely receptive, even when it's inappropriate or dangerous. Nothing can hurt me; I am in profound, deep peace. What I like most about being in this dream is feeling useful, I suppose. What I dislike most about being in this dream is having to digest whatever the world throws at me, regardless of what my needs are." Here we view two sides of tranquillity, both operating in one self-aspect.

• Waking anxiety diminishes as this truth is experienced and internalized. In its place is a growing sense of inner peace and a knowingness that things are as they need to be. In Lady in the Attic, (6/6/97), the Barrell says, "I most closely personify Linda's depth, deep, empty stillness. The reason why I am in this dream is to remind her that she is a vessel."

To develop tranquillity, focus on these characteristics as you work on your dreams and those of others. Pick dream group members which personify tranquillity and identify with them at those times throughout the day when you want to cultivate higher tranquillity.

Equanimity

Equanimity is an imperturbability of affect. It is an inner kind of silence, a silent investigation rather than thought-filled. In its perverted aspect, any strong, unwavering feeling provides a window into this characteristic. Intense anger or intense fear may transform into equanimity when we completely identify with them.

Dream transpersonal practice supports the development of equanimity in several ways:

• As we learn to observe the emotional turmoil of dream self and the various other aspects of ourselves with a certain disattachment, we experience growing equanimity.

• This disattachment from internal conflict leads to a dispassionate yet compassionate detachment from the dramas of waking life. In Lost in Space (3/12/97), Stars say, "We have a profound acceptance of our final non-existence, which is here, now, and which acknowledges and venerates the absolute suchness of the void. We neither do not exist, no do we exist, yet you can be assured that our compassionate knowingness is here. It does not die. It cannot die." In the dream summary commentary Stars say, "The reason why I am not in this dream is to not create a barrier between you and non-being. This dream group came together because a fearless direct experience of non-being supports your practice of deep meditation without fear." We see from this remark a direct relationship drawn by this self-aspect between dream consciousness and meditation.

To develop equanimity, focus on these characteristics as you work on your dreams and those of others. Pick dream group members which personify equanimity and identify with them at those times throughout the day when you want to cultivate higher order equanimity.