If our reality - and hence our life experiences - are shaped by our perception and limitations of our imagination, then what can our dreams teach us about consciousness and our Selves?
In this episode, we’re talking with Jennifer Dumpert, a San Francisco-based writer, lecturer, and consciousness hacker to help us answer this question. She’s the author of the recently released Liminal Dreaming: Exploring Consciousness at the Edges of Sleep. Jennifer teaches the practice of Liminal Dreaming—surfing the edges of consciousness using hypnagogic and hypnopompic dream states.
We discuss liminal dreaming as the doorway between waking and dream consciousness, how it differs from other kinds of dream & sleep states, and the healing benefits of liminal dreaming and yoga nidra being applied globally. We also talk about one of my favorite topics - imagination as a faculty of perception (and perhaps the most important one!) and what’s actually happening in the brain and body when we experience common collective experiences such as sleep paralysis, falling sensations and jerking, and “hallucinations.”
Jennifer also dives into oneirogens - what they are, how they work and how to use them, including herbs, sounds, smells, and technology we can use for enhancing dreams, divination, & healing. Jennifer is the founder of the Oneironauticum, an international organization that explores the phenomenological experience of dreams as a means of experimenting with mind.
This was such a fun and fascinating interview, and I loved how Jennifer wove tons of practical tools and exercises into her book... That’s why I’m excited to announce that we’re doing an Instagram giveaway of Jennifer’s book Liminal Dreaming!
3 lucky winners will receive a free copy of her book - read below to find out how to enter (before it ends this week)!
:: BOOK GIVEAWAY! ::
We’re hosting a giveaway on Instagram through the Feed Your Wild podcast - your chance to win a free copy of Liminal Dreaming to 3 lucky winners.
Here's how to enter to win:
*Follow @wildlyrooted on Instagram
*Tag as many people as you want in separate comments, each tag will be an entry
*Sign up to Wildly Rooted Nourishment Notes Email List (click here) - if you're already signed up, simply follow and tag to enter
*You must be in the USA for shipping purposes - this is a domestic giveaway
*Giveaway ends this Wednesday 9/25, winners announced Thursday 9/26!
***CLICK HERE FOR MORE BOOK GIVEAWAY INFO***
Show Notes
In this episode, we discuss:
How Jennifer got into dreamwork and why she’s focusing on “liminal dreaming”
The difference between liminal dreaming and other dreams such as REM and lucid dreams
Why hypnogogic and hypnopompic states are considered the spaces between and the doorway between waking and dream consciousness
The various common collective experiences of these dream states, such as bodily jerks, whispering, hallucinations, sleep paralysis
The similarities between liminal dreaming and the psychedelic mind-space, and how liminal dreaming can support people instead of taking psychedelics
The healing benefits of liminal dreaming and yoga nidra, and examples of their use throughout the world
What is actually happening in the brain during liminal dreaming states (hint: it’s chaotic J), and the different brain waves related to various phases of sleep such as theta, beta, alpha
The best exercises and practices for surfing liminal dreaming and mental healing, creativity, and problem solving
Imagination as a faculty of perception (and perhaps the most important one!)
Whey senses like sight aren’t as reliable as they seem and how “we have to choose what to see”
Exploring sleep paralysis and scary dream experiences as an opportunity to address and work with fear
What are oneirogens, the various kinds of oneirogens used throughout the world (smells, sounds, herbs, technology), how they work and how to use them
How you can join in on the fun with The Oneironauticum – Jennifer’s international dream group that works with oneirogens—any substance, practice, or experience that promotes or enhances dream states. Jennifer says it’s like a worldwide slumber party :)
Supportive oneirogens for working with and healing trauma – such as one that the Xhosa people use to put one in touch with ancestors
Oneirogens for getting in touch with inner peace: The scent Stargazer lily, rose
Jennifer’s best hacks for remembering your dreams and how “attention is the magic sauce”
How liminal dreamwork has impacted Jennifer’s life experience opening up her “liminal mind”
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Connect With Jennifer Dumpert
Her book Liminal Dreaming: Exploring Consciousness at the Edges of Sleep
Resources + Links Mentioned
Jennifer’s other website: http://urbandreamscape.com
Note: Links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. Making a purchase through these links won’t cost you anything but we will receive a small commission. This is an easy, free way of supporting the podcast and production costs. Thank you!
Wildly Rooted Resources
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