Catholic Q&A
Q: What is a lucid dream?
A: A lucid dream (hereafter LD) is a dream in which a person realized they are asleep. They then gain control over themselves, though the environment continues to follow dream logic. This allows for unique interactions, such as flying at will, transforming into something, or experimenting with the dream itself.
Q: When did LD first appear?
A: LDs have existed as long as humanity has, but remained understudied. Historically, they were often confused with visions or similar phenomena. The term lucid dreaming and systematic research first emerged in the 1980s, pioneered by Stephen LaBerge.
Q: Is LD the same as a prophetic dream?
A: No. A prophetic dream is God’s revelation which tells something crucial and unknown. LD, however, is a rare but natural state of mind; it has no spiritual dimension. LD is always composed of what the dreamer already knows. It can recombine existing information but cannot convey anything new.
There are a few common points: both LDs and prophetic dreams tend to be remembered vividly, unlike regular dreams. According to the way Scripture describes the dreams of St. Joseph, in prophetic dreams the person also retains full control. But the similarities end there.
Q: Is LD something esoteric?
A: No, it is simply part of human nature. LDs come neither from God nor devil. Some occult groups have taken interest in them, because within LD a person is able to «cast spells»: to fly, to create objects from nothing, move or ignite them with a mere glance, and much more.
This serves as a good exercise for imagination, but these abilities in absolutely no way can be transferred from LD into waking reality.
Q: Is LD morally good or bad?
А: LDs are morally neutral, just like ordinary dreams. One might say they are ontologically good, since they are part of human nature – which is flawed but still created by God and good in essence.
LDs can provide recreation and unique experiences. In this sense, they are good as well.
Q: Can LD be objectively useful?
А: Yes. First, LD heightens awareness in general. The more consciously a person lives during the day, the more likely they are to have an LD at night. Conversely, an LD at night sharpens perception during the day, especially if paired with reflection and practice.
Lucid dreaming requires lucid waking. That’s why the skill of LD can improve health and quality of life.
Second, LD offers important lessons for Christian mysticism. Read more in [this article].
Q: Can LD become harmful, like a drug, with such marvelous things happening within it?
А: Cases of addiction to LDs are unknown, though theoretically it is possible. Our fallen nature can become excessively attached to anything.
But LDs in themselves bring clarity. Many people drift through life in a vague half-sleep, acting automatically, while LD precisely distinguishes dream from waking. In this sense their effect is the very opposite of a narcotic one.
It is also possible that someone may learn LD and fall into pride, believing they possess “arcane knowledge”. But if a person professes Christian faith and understands the nature of LDs correctly, this is highly unlikely.
Q: Shouldn’t we rather aim to live lucidly than to sleep lucidly?
A: If one must choose, then yes, lucid waking is to be preferred. But this is not a true dichotomy. These two forms of lucidity reinforce each other, and both are valuable.
Q: Is the skill of LD a necessary one to have?
A: For a common person, no. LDs can be useful or enjoyable, but they are required neither for salvation nor for a fulfilling earthly life.
However, for someone with an affinity to mysticism, LD seem necessary – at least a knowledge of them, and even better, some experience of them.
Q: Is it possible to sin within an LD?
A: This is an interesting question. I think yes, a venial sin can be committed.
Normally, if we do something bad in our dream, say murder, we wake up with an unpleasant feeling but quickly forget it. This does not constitute sin.
But in an LD, unlike ordinary dreams, we have full control over our will. So, if a dreamer deliberately conjures up the image of an enemy and kills them, this should count as a sin – especially considering that LD can simulate the scene of murder in brutal detail.
This is comparable to someone, while awake, indulging in long fantasies about killing another person. Such act is not a mortal sin yet, but it is already dangerous and should be mentioned in confession.
Q: Can you use LD for prayer or meditation?
A: It is possible to pray within an LD, although reciting long prayers is hard, such action is too rational and pushes the mind upward, to awaking. Such prayers do not gain extra merit.
One may also watch an LD about receiving Sacraments, but that would be the same as having an ordinary dream about Sacraments. It cannot substitute participation in the real liturgy.
Q: Can LD invite self-deception or spiritual delusion?
A: Yes, if mistaken for a spiritual experience. That would be a grave error. However, when understood and practiced correctly, LD actually helps discern true visions from illusions.
Q: Is it possible to encounter Jesus Christ, an angel or a saint in LD?
A: Yes, this can happen. The dreamer should react calmly, understanding that this event is neither miracle nor temptation but simply a product of imagination. No live-changing conclusions should be drawn from such encounters.
Q: Should clergy be taught about LD?
А: There is value in it. At the very least, they should be informed of the phenomenon and its principles – so when they encounter it in pastoral practice, they could offer sound guidance.
It may also be useful to introduce LD techniques, to cultivate awareness in general. For people with intense spiritual lives this may be not just helpful but even necessary.
Q: What is especially obscure concerning LD?
А: Experience shows that LDs can vary in degree of lucidity. Practitioners will agree, that recalling an LD in the morning, you sometimes realize that your actions did not fully follow the logic of the waking mind: the dream logic still crept in to some extent.
This means that LD is not a one-dimensional edge between sleeping and waking, but rather a subtle layer with different possible states within it. Then mastering LD is less straightforward than it seems. This is a complex technical issue, which will be explored in future articles.
Q: Can one pray to God asking him to grant an LD?
A: Likely not. LDs are earthly goods that are not essential for salvation. It would be better to pray about general wakefulness in life. Or, one could ask for help in learning the skill of LD, as we do with any other human endeavor.
Q: How can one learn LD?
A: There is a set of established methods, easily found online. Different sources will suggest slightly different approaches, but most are workable.
Better to use materials with neutral scientific outlook, without esoteric flavor, since the latter can explain the techniques accurately but weave in a non-Christian agenda.
Our blog will also feature articles on this subject.
Note: one of the methods of developing the LD skill is to read about LD. So, the very fact that you have read this text increases your chances of encountering an LD tonight :).
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