In a Sutra ( each of the texts of Hinduism and Buddhism that bring together the teachings in relation to a particular aspect of these religions ), Shakiamuni Buddha describes the phenomenological world, which we generally consider as real, through the use of multiple metaphors These metaphorical descriptions resemble our reality to a twinkling shooting star, an optical illusion, to oil lamps, to dew drops, to dawn, to bubbles in the water, to lightning, to a dream and to clouds. According to the Buddha, all conditioned existences, all dharmas, and in fact, every phenomenon is unreal and instantly changing.
Another Sutra uses poetic metaphors to show the essential nature of our unreal condition. These metaphors include the reflection of the moon in the water, a mirage, a city built of sounds, a rainbow, a reflection in a mirror and also a dream.
The example of a Dream is included in these Sutras because we all know that if we examine a dream we will not find anything concrete. Although we can discover the primary and secondary causes that make a dream appear, there is nothing concrete or real in itself.
Although there are different conditions that lead us to dream, the result of these conditions, our dreams, can be grouped in general into two main categories:
- the most common dreams, which appear from karmic footprints.
- the dreams that appear from the lucidity of the mind .
In the category of dreams that are caused by karma, there are dreams that are mainly related to the three states of existence: the body, speech and tensions of the individual's mind; and there are others that are related to karmic footprints, which in turn can be: karmic footprints originated in a past life, in youth and in the recent past of the individual.
In Tibetan medicine, a doctor who is conducting an investigation into the origin of a disease will also consider which of the three stocks the dream of the sick person is related to. These dreams arise due to any experience of the body, speech or mind. Other times, an individual has a serious illness, difficult to cure due to karmic causes originating in youth, and even in past lives, although the karmic cause can also manifest itself from recent actions. Therefore, the method of examining dreams becomes one of the most important means to analyze and discover the main and secondary causes of the problem.
Many of the methods to practice Dharma ( Sanskrit word that means 'protection.' With the practice of the Buddha's teachings we protect ourselves from suffering. The problems we have every day have their origin in ignorance and the method to eliminate it is to practice the Dharma Training in Dharma is the supreme method to improve our quality of life, which depends not only on material progress, but also on the cultivation of peace and happiness within us ) that are learned when we are awake, depending on the development of Consciousness in the dream, be applied in the dream. In fact, this practice could be developed more easily and quickly within the dream, if you had the ability to remain conscious. There are even some books that say that if a person applies a practice within the dream, the practice is nine times more effective than when applied in waking state.
The condition of the dream is unreal. When we discover this for ourselves within the dream (dreamy dream), the immense power of this achievement can eliminate obstacles related to a conditioned life. For this reason, the practice of dreams is very important to free ourselves from our bad habits. Particularly we need this powerful assistance, to free ourselves from the emotional dependencies, the conditioning, and the development of the ego that make up our normal life, and that have been strengthened for many years.
What is a sleepy dream? A sleepy dream arises when there are secondary causes; through these the lucidity is manifested. We can even get advice and predictions for the future because they are secondary causes of future events. A sleepy dream usually manifests itself in the early hours of the morning. Why? Because in our first dream, we slept deeply. We quickly consume this heaviness and the dream becomes light. As it becomes lighter, lucidity can manifest more easily. If our practice of continuous presence is successful, karmic dreams decrease. This is because they are related to tensions. The state of contemplation or presence represents total relaxation. Consequently, there will be no manifestations of tension. Instead of karmic dreams, we will have more lucid dreams.
The Practice of the Night
The night is very important for everyone, because we spend half of our lives in it; We often get carried away peacefully by sleep, most of the time without any effort or commitment. We have to have the intuition to see that practice can always take place, even sleeping or eating. If this does not happen, it is difficult for progress on the road. Therefore, the practice of the night is very important.
When someone says "Night Practice", we usually think of the practice of lucid dreams. There are many explanations about lucid dreams, but in the Dzogchen Teaching ( Dzogchen , according to the " Ñingmapa " school of Tibetan Buddhism and the Bön tradition , it is the primordial state and natural condition of every being, a non-dual condition, without attachment and concepts The Dzogchen polysemic symbol and teaching tool is the Gakyil, as for the Dzogchen Teaching or Great Perfection , it is the teaching and the natural method to discover said primordial state and natural condition), practice in dreams and develop Lucidity is not essential. They are secondary practices. In this case, the practice with dreams is secondary because it can arise spontaneously or automatically from the understanding of the main practice, the "Natural Light Practice" .
The Natural Light Practice is related to the moment before the dream . For example, when someone falls asleep or " falls asleep, " it means that their senses fade and therefore they are sleeping. From this moment there is a transition period until dreams begin. This period may be longer or shorter.
For some, dreams begin almost immediately after starting to sleep. But what does it mean that dreams begin? It means that the mind begins to function again.
In contrast, the state of natural light is not a moment or a state in which the mind is functioning. It is the period that begins when we " fall asleep " and ends up falling the mind begins to function again.
There is the presence of a state of consciousness, and still the mind has not begun to have thoughts. This is the moment called the state of natural light. It has always been considered that it is during this period when the tranta practitioner ( set of sacred texts and esoteric Buddhist and Hindu religious rituals ). Achieve your spiritual achievement. In Tantra, this period is described as the moment when one meets the mother light . It is exactly that moment, when consciousness develops again or wakes up.
When one can recognize that state of natural light, then, even if we later dream, one spontaneously becomes lucidly aware that one is dreaming while dreaming, and automatically attains mastery of one's own dreams. This means that the dream does not condition the person, but the person governs their dreams. For this reason, the practice of dreams is secondary, and the most important thing is the practice of natural light.
If you are a hectic person, then before going to sleep, you can take a little deep breath to regulate the air flow and calm down.
Focus on the white Tibetan syllable located in the center of your body. 
If you prefer an A of your alphabet, it is acceptable.
The important thing is that it corresponds in your mind to the sound Ahhhh.
It is important that when you see that letter, you know what sound it is.
If you are not successful in the concentration and cannot see this letter at the beginning, or else
You know how to visualize, try to write it on paper, place it in front of you and observe it for a while.
Close your eyes and this letter will appear immediately in your mind.
This way you will get a more accurate picture.
Try to focus on the white Tibetan or look at the presence of the white A, and keep it in your mind as long as possible. When you have difficulty feeling the presence of the letters, it is very useful and important to imagine them. This is a way to increase your clarity.
The most important thing is that when you fall asleep, try to keep in mind the Tibetan white syllable accurately and clearly.
Then you can relax. Relaxing does not mean that you forget the lyrics or give up. You have to maintain a sense of their presence, relax and fall asleep.
You should try to practice the Natural Light every night, in the same way that you should try to be in a state of contemplation continuously.
We will continue to deepen these practices in successive articles.
MORE INFORMATION at: " The Yoga of Dreams " by Rimpoche Namkhai Norbu.
