Abstract
Lucid dreaming is discussed in centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist texts. A simple definition that comes out of our present scientific studies is that lucid dreaming is “awareness of dreaming while in the dream state” (Gackenbach, 1980, p. 253). Traditional Tibetan religion and modern psychology are very diverse contexts for discussions of lucid dreaming. To show that the Tibetans are discussing the same subject that our contemporary dream researchers describe, I quote (in translation) a sample statement from a Tibetan text.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Chang, G. C. C. (Ed.). (1963). Teachings of Tibetan yoga. Secaucus, NJ: Citadel Press.
Evans-Wentz, W. Y. (Ed.). (1958). Tibetan yoga and secret doctrines. London: Oxford University Press.
Gackenbach, J. (1980). Lucid dreaming project. The A. R. E. Journal, 15 (6), 253–265.
Gillespie, G. (1983). Dreamer’s progress: A record of experiments made while dreaming. Unpublished manuscript.
Gillespie, G. (1986). Ordinary dreams, lucid dreams and mystical experience. Lucidity Letter, 5(1), 27–31.
Green, C. (1968). Lucid dreams. Oxford: Institute of Psychophysical Research.
Guenther, H. V. (1963). The life and teaching of Ndropa. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Guenther, H. V. (Ed. and trans.). (1976). Kindly bent to ease us: Part 3. Wonderment. Emeryville, CA: Dharma.
Heruka, T. N. (1982). The life of Marpa the Translator (Translated by Nâlandâ Translation Committee). Boulder: Prajna Press.
Musès, C. A. (Ed.). (1961). Esoteric teachings of the Tibetan tantra. York Beach, MA: Samuel Weiser.
Shastri, D. (Ed.). (1984). Guhyasamâja Tantra or Tathâgataguhyaka. Varanasi: Bauddha Bharati.
Sparrow,G. S. (1976). Lucid dreaming: Dawning of the clear light. Virginia Beach, VA: A. R. E. Press.
Tucci, G. (1935). A propos the legend of Nâropâ. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, pp. 677–688.
Tucci, G. (1980). The religions of Tibet (G. Samuel, Trans.). Bombay: Allied.
Wayman, A. (1977). Yoga of the Guhyasamajatantra: The arcane lore of forty verses. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1988 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gillespie, G. (1988). Lucid Dreams in Tibetan Buddhism. In: Gackenbach, J., LaBerge, S. (eds) Conscious Mind, Sleeping Brain. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0423-5_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0423-5_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-0425-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-0423-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive