Utilizing events, like Festivals for Lucid Dreaming Practice

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I am going to the music festival this weekend where everyone, maybe even me lol, will be dressed in costumes, dancing, probably ingesting some kind of psychedelic medicines, etc

I am planning to utilize my experience for lucid dreaming.

I am not sure yet how but music festival sounds like a cool surreal location to constantly check in with myself: Is this a dream?

What do you think of this idea? What would you do?

I am also planning to bring a special kind of awareness to my experience to bring this experience “onto the path” as a Buddhist.

I asked Chat GPT (yep, I did) how could I do that and here are suggestions below.
(I also asked folks on the Dharma Wheel forum) and they had great ideas too:

  1. Mindful Presence:

Practice being fully present in the moment. Whether you’re listening to music, interacting with others, or just walking around, use it as a chance to observe your thoughts, emotions, and reactions without judgment. Cultivating awareness of the impermanent nature of experiences can be a powerful form of meditation.

  1. Compassionate Interactions:

Treat each person you meet as a potential opportunity to practice compassion. Whether it’s your husband, friends, or strangers, engage with them in a way that is kind, patient, and mindful. This can be a great way to embody the principles of metta (loving-kindness).

  1. Setting Intention:

Before going to the festival, take a moment to set an intention for the day. You might dedicate the time for the benefit of all beings or set a specific goal, like developing patience, letting go of attachment, or cultivating joy. Revisit that intention throughout the day.

  1. Walking Meditation:

Festivals often involve a lot of walking, which can be turned into a walking meditation. Each step can be an opportunity to focus on your breath and maintain awareness of your body in motion.

  1. Breathing Exercises:

Use breathing practices to stay centered. If you find yourself overwhelmed or distracted, return to your breath for a few moments of calm. You could practice counting breaths or use mantras to help stay focused.

  1. Finding Stillness Amidst the Noise:

With the music and crowds, there may be opportunities to find stillness within the chaos. Whether it’s a quiet moment in a corner or just an internal sense of calm, these can be reminders of the inner peace you’re cultivating in your practice.

Non-Attachment to Pleasure: Festivals are often places of sensory stimulation. Reflecting on the nature of pleasure and impermanence can help keep you grounded, remembering that all things—good or bad—are fleeting. This helps reduce attachment and cultivate equanimity.

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Sounds great, looking forward to a post-festival report!

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Be SAFE, have fun, and stay hydrated.
(I dont typically reccomend these medicines for festivals, but if you are experienced and dead set on a trip, might be good to make sure you know the quality of the supply, dabble slowly, and in very small amounts.)

Deffinitely Dress up if you go, and you can use this as a Prospective Memory technique, where every time someone talks about or compliments your costume, you can do a reality check, to see if you are dreaming…

You can also do RC when you see costumes you really like, or that stir your emotions.

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What is RC?

“You can also do RC when you see costumes you really like, or that stir your emotions.”

I am an experienced tripper but I do not do nearly as much as I used to. So I shall be ok!

And I love the idea of utilizing this time for perspective memory training, thank you!
I do not really have many costumes but I have a pair of leggins that always get compliments so I will attach the Dream check to that!

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Reality check

Excellent idea!

I went to a wedding last year, and they gave these ‘Hawaiian’ necklaces to the guests. Total hit! When we went to the bars after I got hit on several times, was a genius ice breaker!:

Light Up Rainbow Flower Hawaiian Lei with LED Lights

There are dozens of types and different vendors on Amazon, its cheap if you dont buy in bulk, if you decide to buy one, go for the ones that have dual settings of staying lit, and flashing.

Good to know, I was worried you might be new or inexperienced with the medicines.

What is your currecnt go to RC? How do you perform it?

Have an awesome time, and a lot of fun!!!

:cowboy_hat_face:

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Hi, just wanted to share something I think is super valuable, especially if you’re planning on being in a very active environment while tripping. This video talks about substances that can help if a trip starts to go south:

He also has some cool festival videos where he interviews people who are tripping (including himself). Gives you a real feel for the experience. I’d recommend checking them out.

Enjoy, have a nice trip!

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Well, I totally spaced on that Reality Check with my leggings:)

And thank you for sharing about Hawaiian necklaces. Those are very traditional here, made with fresh flowers in their best version and gifted on special occasions:)

My current RC is when something strange happens.

Also I do RC when I notice that I am doing something I do in the dream. For example, I find that the predominant emotional tone of my dreams is problem solving. So I strive to notice when I find myself in a deep problem solving mode to do a RC. I have to say I have not been super successful because when I am in that mode, I am on the freaking mission to the solution and RC feels like slowing down I cannot possible afford lol:)

When I start ruminating, I also do RC.

I am in the process of integration the inquiry of “Where am I? Could it be a dream?” more seamlessly into my life, as an attitude that a specific dream check.

My favorite is just to slow down, breathe, and look around the room intently, activating all the senses and genuinely ask myself: Hmm…could it be a dream?

And I usually look at my hands as part RC, count the fingers, etc.

Thank you for this question! It made me take an honest stock of what RC I am doing now and where I fell of the regular RC wagon:)

And what are your favorite/current RC? @NightHawk999

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Squeezing my nose and trying to breathe.

Jumping up in the air, and seeing if I float or fly.

These will pay off big with habitual practice.

The more awareness you bring to these reality checks, thoroughly questioning that this could really be a dream, will also help a lot.

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Thank you, yes, I think so too!

Cultivating it as a general attitude feels more natural to me than specific RCs.
But I also used to do floating in the air one and trying to breath while squeezing my nose.
Those two plus the hands are the 3 that I have used.

May you and yours be healthy, happy, safe, and lucid!

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I do LOVE your prayers. there is magic in your words Beloved. thank you for sharing them here with us :pray:

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