Nights: Into Dreams

When I was much younger, I went through a very brief period of being able to tell when I was dreaming. I'm not quite sure what it was that alerted me to the fact that I was dreaming (and yet still asleep) but once it became clear, I would say "My name is -Jack Bauer- and I can fly!" - and indeed I could, in fact, fly. Clearly there was nothing else to do. After all, I was too young to realise the fun that could have been had if only I had changed it to "My name is -Jack Bauer- and I can hear the supermodels coming."

It came and went like the phase it was, but in the last few months I've been reminded of it, and I realise that this ability has a proper name and everything. It's called "Lucid Dreaming" and lots of people do it. Many people train themselves to recognise when they're dreaming, so that even in their adult life they still get a chance to fly around a bit, or perhaps even party with the aforementioned supermodels.

Of course, like all self-improvement, the idea of having to "work" hard to "learn" the necessary "skill" of being able to "train" yourself to do something... it all sounds like far too much hassle for a dollar. But this... this could actually be something where I might just want to put the hours in.

As ever, it seems that technology can help. Here's the coolest thing. Scientists tell us that dreaming occurs during "REM sleep" - not the pop group with that bald guy, but Rapid Eye Movement. It's not too difficult to make something that can tell when someone is moving their eyes. So you can make something that knows when someone is dreaming.

Secondly, you may well have had dreams where noises, smells or lights from the 'waking' environment around you have actually become a part of your dream. Ever had a song or a news bulletin from your bedside radio make its way into your dream? Even while dreaming you can still be influenced by the real world.

Thidly, an interesting observation. When you're asleep, your body releases all kinds of chemicals to stop your arms and legs moving around. Otherwise you'd be injuring yourself and jumping out of bed and crashing into things all the time while you were asleep. That's fine. But if you dream that you're looking up, or down, or around, then your eyes actually move in real life. (Even if they're shut, which, of course, they would be.)

So nowfor the Mad Scientist bit. If all those things are true, then not only can you make something that can tell when you're dreaming, but it can then use sounds and lights to let you know that you’re dreaming - without waking you up. What's more, once you get the message and realise that you're asleep, then you can signal back to it (perhaps by looking upwards twice) that you've got the message, and it can stop making those noises and flashing those lights now.

Now, admittedly, I didn't think all this up by myself. Other people got there long before I did. But not only is this possible, it actually works. Cool idea, huh. Imagine a dream where, right from the get-go, a familiar voice whispers in your ear, "You're dreaming.." What fun you could have.

Of course I jumped straight to the end there by picking up on the technological solution. But even without technology, lucid dreaming is quite possible once you know what to look for. Look at your watch. Is it sensible or just messed up? Look at it again. Is it the same time as it was before, or totally different now? Can you see any signs? Anything with writing on? Can you read that writing? If not, you might just be asleep.

Best thing of all, those recurring dreams that were such an annoyance, are now positively helpful! Late for school? You don’t go to school, you’re dreaming. And you can fly. Endlessly looking for a toilet? You’re asleep, you fool. Now go find those supermodels.

So for a while now, I’ve been looking out for signs that I’m dreaming. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Last night I spotted a recurring dream just in time to change direction, fly off to find someone, and give them a hug. Yes, I realise that does sound rather soppy. I’m not sure if I was totally in control of that dream (and strangely, I “woke up” from the lucid dream back into the normal dream rather than into the real world) but it’s little things like this that convince me I’m getting better at it. Practice makes perfect.

I can't help but feel like Dr Frankenstein, indulging in some dangerous experiment that could leave them permanently messed up, never quite sure if they're awake or asleep and constantly on the search for supermodels, or at least flapping their arms trying to take off. There's nothing to say that I might not like dreaming so much better than the real world that I might want to spend even more of my time there. I can well imagine completely coming offthe rails, a slave to a seductive fantasy world that only comes by night and makes everything else seem just unbearably ordinary.

Wish me luck!