Book Review For Lucid Dreamers

I just finished reading the book “Dreaming Wide Awake” by David Jay Brown.  As an avid lucid dreamer myself, I really loved this book.  I have read a lot of books on dreaming and lucid dreaming, so I have a lot of means of comparison.  I would say that this book is not the book to start with if you don’t get lucid much already, as there are other books out there that focus more on tips and instruction for working up a practice, if that is something that is possible for you.  (Remember that a lucid dream is one in which you have a clear realization that you are dreaming, thus changing your awareness and ability levels, and allowing you to simultaneously be aware of all memories and facts about your life in physical reality as well, while remaining in the dreamscape.  Lots of times students tell me a dream and then ask “was that a lucid dream?” and I always say that if you have to ask that question then the answer is almost certainly no.  Being just a little bit aware on the spectrum is not the same as full lucidity.)  So to get back to the review, while some instruction is reviewed, this book is much more about lucid dreaming philosophies, comparison to psychedelic and entheogen-induced spiritual experiences, and about advanced concepts and theories of dream lucidity.  I loved the book because in the telling of experiences that the author and other lucid dreamers have had, I realized that I had naturally jumped to a lot of the same conclusions about the very nature of dreaming itself, based on the depth of my own experiences.  This was incredibly validating-  to find that among others who get lucid at about the same rate that I do, many of us have naturally chosen similar tasks to complete, questions to ask, and have explained the results to ourselves in similar ways.  The book goes into great depth in considering the actual nature of human consciousness itself, and its role in the universe.  The author is humble about presenting these expansive and abstract theories yet relays them in a way that you can grasp and take great inspiration from, at least to the extent that our physically housed minds are capable.  I have also been studying plant poisons in the occult lately, and I enjoyed his entire section on herbs and psychedelics that are purported to have effects on dreams and dream lucidity.  He very clearly relays the accounts he has found in interviews and research along with all of his personal trials with each plant.  I am not one to engage in substance use, but would possibly entertain safe dream plants if the interactions are sacred and for a high vibe purpose, so I am now motivated to study the dream effects of a few plants in more depth.  All in all, if you enjoy lucid dreaming and have started some spiritual experimenting in this realm, this book really is a bit of a gem.  I will certainly be referring back to it as I continue to move forward in the exploration of my own practice.  Bright dream blessings-  So Mote It Be.