What is Lucid Dreams?
A lucid dream is one you dream while being aware that you are
dreaming. It is like being the director of your own movie.
As a rule, this awareness happens while you are in the dream and
may be triggered by something the conscious mind interprets as a
"strange" event. For example, you may be dreaming you are flying
(which your conscious mind knows as "not possible") and while
flying become aware that you are actually dreaming that you are
flying.
Most people who remember their dreams, and have experienced this
awareness while still in the dream, often wake up shortly after
the dream.
It is, however, possible to stay in the dream for a long period
and still be absolutely aware of the fact that you are dreaming.
Are dreams able to be controlled? As a rule, you have a
degree of control of the flow of events in a lucid dream. The
degree of control varies from dream to dream.
If you are in a lucid dream you will usually have at least some
power over your dream -- anything from being a pocket in a pair
of trousers, or inside that pocket, right up to being able to
change into anything and create a whole new world!
By practising different exercises, it is possible get better
control over the events in your dreams.
Lucid dreamers are in any case always capable of deciding how to
react to events.
For instance, you can simply decide not to run away from a
terrifying figure in your dream, being fully aware that no
object in your dream is able to harm you.
Just this degree of control can change the dream from one where
you're a helpless victim in a terrifying, frustrating or
disagreeable adventure, to one where you are totally in control
and perfectly happy. This gives you the ability to disconnect
from the troubles in your life for a little while and enjoy the
pleasure and delight of total freedom.
Some people become a master of control of their dreams and so
comfortable that they are able to construct their own world,
living every fantasy and experience they desire.
Footnote: It is interesting to note that lucid dreams
have actually been scientifically proven to exist! Lucid
dreamers regularly describe their dreams as exciting, colourful,
and fantastic. Many compare it to a spiritual experience and say
that it changed their lives or their perception of the world