Magic is in Your Hands

My title carries a double entendre. One because I'm talking about the practice of dreaming and two because I'm in the midst of reading a fun book by Robert Waggoner, Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self, in which the author recalls using Castaneda's teachings from Don Juan:

"Don Juan suggests to Castaneda a simple technique to "set up dreaming" or become conscious in the dream state. 'Tonight,in your dreams you must look at your hands.'" pg. 6.

Ah, yes, me too. I loved reading Castaneda's adventures with Don Juan as a teenager and beyond.

Happy New Year everyone.

I wish that everyone who has an interest in dreaming pursue it.

I see vast new territories for dreamanauts like myself to explore; ( I made up this word. A popular term in the literature is oneironaut, based on the Greek word for dream, but English is my principal language at the moment. so I like dream-astronaut or dreamanaut.)

The magic of dreaming is close at hand, always. It's easy to start your own practice and have fun, plus reap the benefits of self-knowledge and personal growth. It doesn't have to be something you do everyday, one more chore. Let it happen when it does; write it down when you do. Just pay more attention. Perhaps, discuss dream events more with friends. I follow much of the teaching of Robert Moss and his Active Dreaming practice for dream play, but any approach that works for you is fine.

I've written a lot here about developing a dreaming practice, so that's not what this post is about. It's about a new year and magic at hand. I hear many people I respect talking about new consciousness and spiritual opportunity; in their messages, I hear cautious optimism and wild hope for the future. It makes me believe 2012 will bring many good things in the service of Love.

Speaking of growth in the service of Love, people talk a lot about the need for self-esteem, which is after all, self love. Knowing yourself in your capacity as a dreaming being is one of the most liberating, self affirming experiences for the ego on this planet. I think so and so do the many dreamers I know. Dreams are healing magic, excitement, wisdom and adventure; kind of like the six flags of the night.

It's in each human being's power to consult her or his inner wisdom through his or her dreams. Connecting to dreaming more frequently; perhaps seeking guidance from dreams, are practices that anyone can adopt. There's fabulous teaching out there in books and media for anyone who wants to launch. And, of course, I write this blog to inspire you.

Have you looked at your hands lately?

This ink drawing was a wedding gift from a dear college friend; it's sign language for "the Christ". A friend of hers, Charlotte Graesser Henderson, is the artist.