What is a Lucid dream? In lucid dreaming we are consciously aware in the dream state and can set our intention to participate in a wide array of experiences that many describe as more vivid and real than waking life. The experience of Lucid Dreaming has a long history among Tibetan Buddhists who many centuries ago learned to achieve such dream states in their  practice of Dream Yoga. However one need not be a Buddhist monk to learn how to create a lucid dream. In this workshop you'll learn simple methods for experiencing lucid dreams as well as the many profound benefits such dreams provide.   For example, we can converse directly with those whom we dream about and benefit from their wisdom. Lucid awareness in dreams also allows us to facilitate our own healing physically, emotionally and spiritually.     A Note from your Workshop Instructor Robert Waggoner In lucid dreaming, we are taught many things. Some might say we are “shown” many things, but in the showing comes the teaching. One thing that we consistently learn from dreaming lucidly is to follow our intuition, our inner feeling. In many respects, this inner knowing is the key to an effortless life - a sense of grace - in lucid dreaming and in aware waking. In my workshops, I seek to honor the intuition - to let it come forth naturally and join the moment. I encourage my participants to do the same. So while I provide a structure in this outline below, it is a flexible container for the experience-to-come. I look forward to working with each of you, as we explore lucid dreaming, as a gateway to our inner-ness.   Workshop Content Friday: May 8, 2009 Time: 7:30 - 9:30 PM Open to the Public   “A Little Philosopher's Five Stages of Lucid Dreaming” Join us this evening for wine and cheese, a book signing as well as an opportunity to meet and talk with Robert Waggoner who will provide us with a general introduction to Lucid Dreaming. Free Bonus: This talk includes the removal of one big misconception, the idea that lucid dreamers control the dream. You will learn that no sailor controls the Sea, and no dreamer controls the Dream.   Saturday: May 9, 2009 Time: 9:00 AM -5:00 PM Introductions and Dream Sharing If possible, I would like those who plan to attend to ask their inner self to provide them a powerful image that will assist them in becoming consciously aware in the dream state. Intent Sharing Lucid Dreaming shows us the power of intent. Your intent is like the seed from which your experience will grow. What is your intent in learning lucid dreaming? We will consider intent, and the clarification of intent, as a means to lucid awareness. The Nature and Beauty of Exploring the Dream Space Consciously As you bring more conscious awareness into your dreaming, you begin to see the truer nature and more profound beauty of dreaming and your Self. This incredible mental eco-system is yours, and is naturally seeking harmony, naturally seeking balance. Learn how you can assist in restoring your inner landscape to its natural beauty and richness. Walking the Tightrope of Awareness Awareness requires a sense of self and a sense of balance. When lucid, we must maintain both these senses in order to walk freely and gracefully. We'll learn how to do both with exercises, and the ever present “net” of consciousness. Dream Re-Entry When you are having this much fun, you will really want to know how to get back on that horse! Simple, yet effective techniques to re-enter the lucid dream that you just woke from will be outlined. You'll see how to get back in the saddle to enjoy the ride and the incredible sense of freedom. The Meaning of Maya: Building the Illusion of Reality This section alone, if understood, is of incalculable worth. It has direct relation to both dreaming and waking, as we learn the principles that create the reality of your lucid dream experience. Use them in lucid dreaming, and see how effective they are. Then, if you wish, try them in waking reality, and see how effective they are. Used properly, and thoughtfully, you will learn to creatively form portions of your experience. Lucid Haiku Haiku can be a technique to create literary beauty by venturing within. With assistance from our inner self, we will create some mind expanding haiku, and sense the power and beauty of our original Self. Promoting Health in Lucid Dreams Consciously aware in the dream state, you can converse with the dream figures, investigate the dreamscape, and focus your intent toward promoting health and wholeness. Learn how lucid dreamers utilize their will to promote a healthy self, a whole self, even a wiser self. Lucidly Talking to Animals A fun break from the seriousness to explore Robert's interactions with his exceptionally wise, Abyssinian cat, Penny. After you hear this, you'll tend to agree: Everything is conscious and alive.   Aware Within the Expanded Self: Spiritual Aspects of Lucid Dreaming Here, we need to be spontaneous. By looking at our individual and collective intent, we will explore the many and diverse ways lucid dreaming can be used for spiritual growth and spiritual illumination. Would you like to hear about meditating in a lucid dream? Posing questions or requests to your inner awareness? Asking dream figures to show you the image of a past self? We can explore all of this and more. Finally, we will learn about the importance of trusting one's self, of learning to open to our inner awareness and letting go of limiting concepts. Finale: Allowing Awareness Using various techniques, each will have an opportunity to discover new means to greater allowing and blessed awareness. ** Your Instructor: Robert Waggoner   ROBERT WAGGONER is President-elect of the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) and a graduate of Drake University with a degree in psychology. Over the past thirty years, he has logged more than a thousand lucid dreams. He is a frequent speaker at national and international dream conferences and the coeditor of The Lucid Dream Exchange (dreaminglucid.com). Instruct comes from the Latin instructus, meaning “to build, to prepare.” For more than 30 years, I have dreamt lucidly with approximately 1,000 lucid dreams during that time. My just released book, Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self describes my profound journey inward, and my sincere wish to build and prepare interested dreamers for the beauty of lucid dreaming. Visit the book's website and blog at http://momentpoint.com/html/catalog/lucid_dreaming/overview.html As you will see on the back cover (under the reviews), Robert Waggoner is President-elect of the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) and a graduate of Drake University with a degree in psychology…yada, yada, yada. (The truth is that I “took the road less traveled” as Robert Frost suggested, “and that has made all the difference.” Lucid dreaming was part of that road. I look forward to meeting each of you.                                                                            - Robert Waggoner     Registration Information Instructor: Robert Waggoner Workshop Fee: $95 (Friday evening book signing and presentation free and open to the public) Date: May 8-9, 2009   Time:  Friday 7:30-9:30 PM             Saturday: 9:00-4:30 PM To register contact: Dani Vedros:  studioforthehealingarts@cox.net Cash, check and credit cards accepted