Joy- Thanks for your video suggestions. I have decided that I am going to just try everything that comes to mind. At the moment, I am working on a series of giant transparancies of my eye. I'll send along an email when I have some work scanned. I love getting more ideas so keep then coming if anything comes to mind!

Speaking of "higher consciousness now!" I ran across a postcard in a toystore which has an illustration of a (bearded) man with a small dog in his lap ( and a sign above his head which says "His Master's Freud!") Upon closer look, the dog looks as though it's actually a puppet. Next to him is a man lying on a couch with a phonograph on his stomach with the speaker pointed back at the dog. The caption of the postcard reads PSYCHOANALYSIS NOW! I did check if I was dreaming when I found it.

Alohaaaaa Dear Big Island Dreamers!

Still trying to catch up with the much-too-much that collected here while I was there. "There" being that Heaven on Earth paradise we all know as Kalani and the recent Dreaming & Awakening retreat. It was, of course, impossible to return without the sweet memory of our shared dream last May bringing a smile to my face and a tug at my heart.

Thanks, Joy, for your poetic call for reunion. It's wonderful to read how our dreams continue to unfold and to see that our special connections are still holding strong.

Despite my undying desire to post more frequently to the Forum, waking life has had uncommon challenges these past months and I've been working to keep a healthy balance and maintain lucidity ever more so in the waking state. When I find myself fainting in dreamland, that's always a sign to chill out in a hot tub -- or some such odd indulgence. This past retreat provided a welcomed respite and I must say that being in the company of dreamers does wonders for the spirit!

Speaking of retreat, one idea that deserves consideration is some sort of "DreamCamp II" -- an advanced course for past participants. Wouldn't that be a treat? What do you all think about this notion?

In the meantime, I do hope to stay more in touch with all of you, and look forward to seeing your dreamy characterizations in the wondrous Land of Odd.

And Shelley: I'm impressed with your creative explorations! When you asked about imagery that simulates lucid dreaming, I was reminded of an unforgettable day after a Winter ice storm when the sun suddenly broke the hovering grey just as I was passing by a leafless bush. Each slender branch encased in its personal sheath of ice lit up fantastically -- as if it were an exquisitely ornate chandelier, and someone had suddenly flipped the switch. It literally stopped me in my tracks with its brilliant beauty.

As for imagery used to incubate lucid dreams, I will send you a series of images of the Sea, that for me, gives the feeling of a WILD. They were created from a single color photograph and manipulated in PhotoShop. Perhaps this will inspire.

And June: It was so good to talk with you the other night. I've noted your date of surgery on the calendar and will do my best to incubate a healing dream on your behalf. Perhaps we can summon up a group dream?

And to all the rest of our February '02 Big Island Dreamers: May the spirit lead you onward to dance and write and act and film and dream and live with sweet lucidity.

Abundant Aloha! Keelin

Keelin:

Welcome back! I'm sure you were successful both in coaxing another group of powerful minds to better focus on the dreaming, and ' more importantly ' to gather more grateful souls into the warm embrace of friendship and love that is Keelin.

A "Dreamcamp II" would be an excellent project, and a natural follow-up to the initial retreat. I sure hope it happens!

Peter

Oh how I love you all! So good to hear from everyone and please accept some spontaneous writing with very little thought as I am navigating through big challenges & transitions too, mildly but persistently ill, and getting "go w/ flow" messages from all sectors of the universe.

YES on Dreamcamp The Sequel! I'd been thinking a return would be more enticing with new material. And imagine reuniting with some of each other plus meeting some of those from other camps with whom we correspond herein. YES!

YES also on dreaming together for June, if June likes the idea and posts the date.

Sounds like Jay & Peter are hatching a NY get-together - maybe the SF Bay contingent can get ourselves together sometime soon too. Where's Myles? - miss his smyles, thought he'd show up here by now. Don't expect Joe, his computer's a dinosaur & he avoids it (Tyrannosaurus Rex, I think; you'd avoid it too).

Naomi, let's e-mail about the solstice dance festival - I might try to come on over - in which case, maybe we could see if anyone wants to get together around that time. Do you still have that papaya?

Can't remember: have I danced in a dream? I have a vent in my ceiling for which I need to make a winter insulating cover but wondered how I'd reach to measure it; last night when I could fly I thought, "Hey, I can measure that vent in my dream! - who knows, it might work - " and flew up there with a yardstick, but the darn thing kept changing shape.

Good to hear from Andrea and have news of Michel and your darling little Mushy. And Shelley (did you buy the postcard?). I'd love to see all your films, you are all such artists in the medium, if we have a Dreamcamp II it must include a little alumni film festival.

Thea, I send you spirit-lifting dreams and all possible fur.

Love Joy

hell yea I bought the postcard.

Keelin's wild sea photos also coincided with a near-lucid dream last night of (friendly) tidal waves. A lot of 'coincidences' seem to be happening..hmmmm.

I think also that the idea of a Dream camp II is brilliant.

shelley

Hi everyone, the idea of a dream camp 2 sounds good to me. It would be great to see everyone again. Unfortunately there are no others in my area who share my interests in lucid dreaming. Speaking of lucid dreaming, I had a rather interesting one last night: I was waiting in line with a friend and others to get my picture taken. While practicing mindfulness of the dream-like nature of reality, I suddenly realized that I was actually dreaming and everything immediately became dark (as is typical for me). I began the spinning, tactile exploration (during which I felt gloves on my hands and I removed the gloves), etc. and then I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange house that appeared very real. I explored the house and walked into a room where I startled my father who was lying on a bed. He, somewhat bothered by my intrusion, said something like: "I don't care what you are doing, just please let me sleep". I (not really thinking) apologized for the intrusion, and quickly left the room. I regained my awareness of the dream state, but everything seemed so real that I began to doubt the situation. I closed my eyes, jumped into the air (as a test), floated a short distance, and fell painlessly to the floor. Then (knowing for certain that it was still a dream) I flew high and fast but, since I had closed my eyes, everything was dark again. I began the spinning again but I was too high to grasp anything for tactile exploration. Then I awakened. Oh well, there are always other nights.

Peter,

I see that this conversation is going to and fro, Zen monks would find it slippery to follow.

Others, If anyone ever visits New York and would like to get together Peter, Julia and I meet (less frequently than we intend to) on an irregular basis. Just give us advance notice and we'll see if we can get together.

A Dream Camp II is certainly of interest, my personal preference would be for it to not be before 2004 (it's hard for me to manage 2 years in a row) but if it was next year I'd see what I could do.

Dreamer Dearlings:

I wholly support a Dream Camp II, The Sequel. I would do everything possible to be there with you. I also love the idea of those of you who wish it, to do a healing dream-thing for me on December 18, the day of my surgery. Please send healing thoughts and energy my way on that day if you can. In the meantime, I wish all of you good lucid dreaming and warm winter nights....

Take good care, Love & Light, June

Aloha, Dear June!

I, for one, can't see the sense in waiting. Sending you healing thoughts and energy NOW! (as our dear Michel would say. ;)

Love, Keelin

Aloha, Como Esta?

Myles checking in" Test one'Test two.

Sorry for the delay, I have been concentrating on my waking physical health for a while, and dosed off on the lucid dreams, a bit. I was up to eight in August; I was trying to have the same number of lucid dreams as the number of the month, and then petered out. It was clearly obvious to me I could achieve more lucid dreams with a goal in mind.

Life has gotten much more complex as of the last couple of months. Dana and I have decided to get a divorce, so my dreams are rather complex. Time heals all though.

Joy thanks for the poem, and mentioning my name in a message. : )

And by the way, I have one word relating to a reunion'hellya!

Godspeed, smyles

DreamCamp II? •••• Samson, I'm just now getting around to making a documentary about my experience at Kalani with ya'll goobs, an experience I'll never forget. I almost ran in to Jay in October, I was in the city, had his number and we talked. He invited me, of course, to certain fine wine tastings, but alas I became too rapt in creating a film about my friends' band in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, home of the "new scene," the latest fad.

I've had many lucid dreams, though my discipline to advance has as always been sporatic and generally lacking. I had one reallyreally long one, but I couldn't remember it upon waking :0( Occasionally, I even have a meaningful dream. Those are the most important to me, besides healing dreams. I've found, as always, I can hone my memory for recall by retracing my thoughts as exactly as possible, through their twists and turns and associations, as far back in time as possible.

So I've taken a semester off to devote myself to film; I studied at Rockport College in Maine, and I've been very productive at home making a "Tour of Dallas" through a perspective of rather dark humor.

June and Myles, would that the warmth of Hawai'i and the breath of Hona soothe you in your suffer.

-Robert

Thrilled to hear from you all, hi Myles, hi Robert! - and kudos Robert for your creative endeavors, and may we all see your documentary soon! - at DreamCamp the Sequel!

Myles... so good to see your smyles. I don't know if it's more than any random people would go through in a year, but it sure seems like a lot of us since Kalani have experienced huge, often unexpected shake-ups in our health and personal lives. I know it's damn hard and to me it seems a good thing - causes and effects of exponential growth.

Okay, I've been a little reticent about publicly posting my personal life but I've split with my husband after 28 years; and have been hit with what may or may not turn out to be a big health challenge - but the totally cool thing is I dreamed a diagnosis that the doctors missed, went back and demanded an ultrasound which confirmed it! Actually there are lots of totally cool things. The mind-body connection aspects are amazing. (I have the good luck to be reading Light Emerging by Barbara Brennan and am so primed to see illness as an outstanding opportunity for spiritual growth.)

May we all get more and more well all the time....

Joy

The more I think about a Dream Camp II the more I like the idea and work on how to rearrange my life if it happens next year. The Europeans have the right idea so far as vacation time goes. Unfortunately my company (which grows more pointy-haired every day) no longer allows us to take time off without pay for anything but a family emergency (how I managed to attend the first Dream Camp). They also no longer allow us to accumulate comp time (how I managed to attend the second Dream Camp).

It was great to hear from Robert, I wish I had been more awake for the conversation (I probably would have been more coherent if I'd already made it to REM sleep :-), especially since he was just 2 blocks away when he called. Good luck with the film making!

I failed a reality test the night before last! A word stayed the same when I looked away and back. That's only happened once before, and as before with a short word. I decided with regret that I must be awake (despite being in the house I grew up in and seeing 4 crippled mice spinning and dancing on their one good legs).

June: I'll certainly try to incubate a dream for you tonight. Good luck.

My love and best wishes to all of you. I hope that those going through tough times make it through intact and stronger.

I'll end with a Winston Churchill quote I was told last year: "If you're going through hell, keep going."

Hi everyone, just a friendly reminder to be sending positive thoughts for June tomorrow (Dec. 18) for her neck surgery. It has been great to hear recently from all of you.

Thanks, Bryan! I just popped in here to post the same reminder.

I remember the last day at dream camp, when my neck started hurting and June intuitively reached out and put her warm hand on it, and I immediately completely relaxed. I send that feeling, augmented by glowing Christmas lights and the soft radiance of moonlight on the snow.

Much appreciation to Shelley for the beautiful images she sent us all.

Jay, Thanks, that's a great quote. If this is hell it's a fascinating place and I'll keep going, to see what happens next!

Love to all, Joy

Hi Dreamers,

Just a quick note to let you know that I spoke with June this evening and she is recovering from surgery well! She thanks us for our loving best wishes and all the healing dream intentions. ;)

Dream celebrations! Keelin

A blessed holiday season to all.

Light, Love, Peace, Joy

Dearest Kalani Friends:

Winter greetings and blessings to all of you, and I add my hopes for light, love, peace and Joy to all Beautiful Dreamers of the world.

Your dreams and healing thoughts have had a very profound effect on me, I am happy to report. One week post-surgery, I am well on my way to healing. My doctor reported that the surgery went "just beautiful," and that while he was in there replacing the bad disc, he also fixed a nerve problem by removing some scar tissue caused by the accident. Even though my neck's in a brace and my hip aches and makes me walk like an old woman, I can feel that these pains are so much different in nature from what I have endured for the last 20 months. This feels like it will heal; the other didn't. The day after surgery I was doing Tai Chi walking up and down the halls so much my physical therapist told me to quit showing off and take it easy!

It was a delight to hear Keelin's beautiful voice on my hotel answering machine the night before the surgery. What a wonderful, encouraging, lovely message, Keelin. I got a little tear on that one! Thank you so very much. I think she called me the next day in the hospital, too, but I don't remember that one much. And here's a tip: Don't try to knit while on morphine. ha! When I got back home, I took one look at the collar of a sweater I was knitting for my aunt and I thought, Who did this piece of s---? and promptly tore it out and started over.

My thanks also go to Shelley for the beautiful dream incubation images, to Jay and Bryan for all your good thoughts, dreams and wishes, and to my Lady Joy, who has sent me not only great energy but also Light Emerging which I am also reading and enjoying. I read Barbara Brennan's earlier book Hands of Light while I was becoming a Reikimaster, and it has a lot of good techniques which I use in my practice.

Myles, great to hear from you again, although we certainly understand about why you'd be taking a break from posting during this tough time in your life. I know that Joy's going through something similar, and as she said, Big Changes came to many of us after our experience at Kalani. I just can't wait to get healthy again and start looking forward to a Reunion.

Robert, so good to hear of your progress in the film work. Keep it up!

Not to make this message too long (it's incredible how even in this hard neck brace I can type and not feel the pain as before), but I thought I would share a few of the dreams I had while in the hospital.

I am not sure if being on drugs makes your dreams scarier or not, but most of them were nightmares and I awoke scared. Some of them were short snippet dreams, but all were vivid. One had me running from an invasion of huge red bugs, like hard-shelled beetle kinda things, but then these cool blue-like bugs with long wings started beating them back and then they were gone. In one dream, I saw from the rear, dozens of figures in long black cloaks walking away from me, with their arms interlaced in back of them, holding hands which were all gloved in black except one. It was weird to see these all-black clothed people and then find the one naked hand in there. Everyone was just slowly walking away. Very strange. Then I did have one lucid dream. I awoke in my hospital bed. I looked around the room, saw the IV drip, the moveable bedside table, the chair, the door to the bathroom. I figured I must be awake, because it was very real. In the neck brace, I can't turn my head to the side, I have to turn my whole body, so in bed, you pretty much look ahead or rely on your peripheral vision. I could sense that someone was standing by the head of my bed, near my right ear. I couldn't see who it was. I thought to myself, maybe I am dreaming...who would be standing there? Then I heard a familiar voice say in my ear, Of course you're dreaming, you've been in a lucid dream for over an hour. I figured if it was an LD, I could turn my head, and so sure enough, I could. I looked to my right and it was ME bending over me and talking into my ear. For some reason, that FREAKED me out and I woke up breathing hard. Then I felt really ashamed of myself, thinking Boy Stephen would NOT be happy with me for not talking to whatever was scaring me. Then I started laughing for real, because I was talking to myself! That is only the second dream I remember seeing myself (not counting mirrors) so clearly, but it was different from the first time because this time I was frightened. I wonder if I can blame that on the morphine too.

It's about 4:30 on Christmas morning, and although I'm not back on a good sleep schedule yet, I'm confident that I shall be soon. So I will try to get a few more hours in before the day breaks and wish everyone the happiest of holidays and a great new year. I know 2003 is going to be one heck of a lot better for me pain-wise than were 2001 and 2002.

I love all of you for your spirit, your adventure, your kindnesses and your dreams.

xxxxx June

June, so good to see you here already! I'm glad your recovery is going so well. Awesome dreams, morphine or no - seem like cool imagery for processing the fearsomeness of having one's body invaded by surgery.

I never knit on morphine, but I once studied for advanced algebra and trig final exams on an overdose of hydrocodone - the hosptal had switched the labels between that and an antibiotic that I was supposed to take around-the-clock!

Ongoing Joy

June, I'm glad to hear that your surgery went well, and that you are feeling so much better. Your dream of the beetles reminds me of the movie the Mummy, which I just watched last night with my son. Have you ever dreamt about knitting patterns? For me, whenever i get into any craft or artform, like painting, dance, or most recently beadwork, I start dreaming about it, and that triggers lucidity.

Joy, the solstice dance was postponed, due to the studio heater not working and it being freezing in there, so it will happen on Thursday January 2. I'm glad you didn't risk your life to make it over the mountains. Weather permitting, would you like to give it another try? If you can't, the spring equinox sounds fine. Sorry, papayas don't last that long, but maybe i can get hold of a mango...

Have a happy new year, dreamers, in spite of the negative things happening in the world.

June: so glad to hear the surgery went well! Thanks for letting us know.

Naomi: while I don't knit, I have had at least one dream that I became lucid in after drawing some pictures (I haven't done serious drawing in about 20 years).

Dearest Dreamers-

June stoked to hear you have eliminated the ongoing pain. I can only guess the effect on one's life that would have, and can only imagine the happiness you must feel, which you immensely deserve.

Given everything going on in my life recently, things are going well. As they say,' If you can't change your fate change your attitude.' I am spending much more quality time with my children, which I probably would not have done before. "There is always a silver lining"

Usually I do not post these things, but I think this one is a hum-dinger, so hopefully you all will enjoy this

God speed

: I smyles L :

Do it anyway

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, there may be jealousy; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

• Mother Theresa

So the other night I'm dreaming when I observe some lovely wallpaper with squigly lines on it in differrent colours. They kind of line up... just off enough to be attractive... and they look like writing and as I'm observing this I notice that the lines occasionally write out "lucid" in a nice cursive and so I dutifully think to myself: "This is cool. And a good idea. The next time I see the word lucid I will know I am dreaming and become lucid."

D'oh!

Anyway, it's been a long time and there has been no traffic in our little group. The last entry seems to be from late December of last year. I've been wondering how everybody is. Maybe we could all "log in" and give a brief update. I'll start.

I finished my yoga training and am teaching now nearly full-time, but free-lance, at my home, some corporate sites and for a few private clients. I still teach computers occasionally but the work has been sporadic.

Currently dating a man named Colin and it's pretty serious, soul-mate level stuff. He's also a lucid dreamer (and general all-around cool person like the rest of us) so we have lots to talk about.

When I'm not working my life revolves around music. I joined a Gamelan (Indonesian orchestra) and I am learning piano, music theory, recorder, and spending a lot of time listening to "New Music" (read: modern classical) like Nyman, Glass, Reich, Part, etc.

Went to a really cool lecture by Rupert Sheldrake a while ago. Anyone else interested in his stuff?

Anyway, that's the quick update. Hope all of you are well.

Andrea

Hi Andrea,

What a pleasant surprise to see an email notification that this thread was active again!

Congratulations on you various pieces of good news. I'm very happy to hear them.

My lucid dreaming has been pretty sporadic since we started working a different shift every week at work (and don't even get me started on the 5-6 hour nights I had for most of April and May - pretty much 0 REM sleep). My sleep schedule is all messed up and by the time I get to the end of the week all I want to do is catch up on my sleep (getting up in the middle of the night seems like a horrifying notion by then).

But I've been managing some occasional lucidity which I'm generally using to try and do ngondro (a particular Tibetan practice) in a dream. So far I've only managed bits and pieces but I'm making progress.

Still not dating anyone (one boyfriend appeared and vanished since the workshop), still spending a bit too much time (and money) on my wine interests. But its still fun :-).

Peter and Julia and I got together for dinner again recently which helped focus my attention a bit. My dream recall has been better since then.

Look forward to hearing what everyone else has been up to.

Happy and productive dreams to all!

Andrea!

It's wonderful to that you're blowing some dust out of our happy little room! Thanks!

What have I been up to over these months? Same 'Ol-same-'Ol, I guess -- still trying to get my book published (?You must have an agent for a publisher to look at your book, BUT you must have a publisher before an agent lifts a finger? sigh?), still dabbling in sculpture, and still maintaining a steady pace of one or two LD's per week. I'm still happily married to my wonderful wife, Lisa (just celebrated our 16th anniversary yesterday!). Oh, yeah, and somehow I managed to become a moderator of this forum -- so everybody write in so I have something to moderate!

Jay, I'm glad to hear our meeting might have helped increase your recall; we must meet again soon to keep that attention in focus!

Best of dreams to everyone!

Peter

Happy New Year! ;P

Our 2 year anniversary is coming up!

To celebrate I'm going update lucid.tv with all that juicy video I never really showed to anybody!

I've decided to dedicate the next year of my life to lucid.tv and the creation of a related documentary. I've spent some time at film school and I'm reallllly looking forward sharing the goods about lucid dreaming with the rest of the world.

So for the next little while I'll be seeing everyone's "2 year ago" -you-, can't help but wonder what "you" are all up to!

Michel:

You've resurfaced! That's good news. And also good news that you're going to create a documentary involving lucid dreaming. I'm sure it will be excellent, and I can't wait to see the results!

For the anniversary, I'm going back to Kalani. Couldn't stay away, I guess...

Good luck with your work, and your continued adventures in lucid dreaming.

Peter

Lucky you Peter!

I won't be making it this time. I'll be in the middle of a move!

Does Kalani have an improved internet connectivity now? If so, you should give us an update on how Kalani has changed... just to tease us!

I've updated www.lucid.tv with a video made by Shelley.

Oh, and here is the now secret link to hear a one hour audio high quality audio file of the Kalani waves gently crashing...

www.lucid.tv/reworked videos/waves5.mp3 (huge 63 meg file!)

Hi everyone,

So, anyone other than Peter heading out there? I've been trying to figure out if I could manage it and if I cancel my summer vacation and don't go anywhere for the second half of the year (since I'm attending a retreat in April) then I could probably do it since I have some comp time coming to me.

But I just heard on Friday that my manager is leaving the company so I might not be able to take much time off until we get another person for the department. I'll hear more about that on Wednesday.

But on the plus side simply thinking about it I had my first ld in a while last night (quite a relief to know that there wasn't really a nuclear missile launched from the East River . My sleep schedule has been so truncated and mixed up that I haven't been getting into really dense REM sleep for the last few months. The thought of spending a solid week concentrating on lucidity is very attractive...

Hey Now!

Wonderful to see my dreamy friends again on this thread. Last night I was booking a Hawaiian vacation package for my daughter and niece (the sister-cousins), 20 and 21 respectively, and got so homesick for Hawaii while surfing all those pages, that I thought I'd cruise on over here to see what's happening. I miss all of you!!

Michel, I went to your ultratv site and it was so cool to be able to watch everything now that I have cable internet. Watching Shelley's video brought back so many really special memories! I can so clearly remember giving Reiki to Jay's poor cut hand in the crater of the volcano; seeing it on the screen was really moving. I also loved all the water shots, very surreal. I listened to Michel's audio file of the Kalani waves at 2 in the morning when I couldn't sleep....the odd thing about it was that my bedroom window was open and the waves crashing on Big River Beach here on the north coast of California were playing for real, while Hawaii's surf was playing on my computer, and it was so odd hearing the two sounds together. Similar, but different. I had to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

I'm so happy for my roommie, Andrea! She and her guy Colin are definitely soul-mate material, and by now, should be comfortably in their new home. Did you tie the knot, sis? I haven't talked to you in a few weeks, but I know it was happening soon. Congratulations to you.

Peter, how was your return to Kalani? I can't wait to hear. I've gotten a couple brief emails from Keelin, but hope to talk to her on the phone soon to get the full scoop. Hope you had a really great experience and lots of LDs!

I email back and forth with Bryan Bennett quite a bit and speak to him on the phone periodically. I haven't heard from him in awhile now, but I know he is busy with his business at this time of year. He's also going to attend this really cool retreat in New York, I think in April, and I think it has something to do with Buddhist dreaming methods. Boy, my memory.....

Peter, I hope you get your book published soon. Keep at it! My sister Jill just had her first book published. You can see it at amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0595750966/qid=1080273466/sr=12-1/102-7680580-3416922?v=glance&s=books

I think Leslie Keehn's first book is coming out soon, too. She told me recently that she was making the big move to New York City to try her hand at being an author "for real." Have you run into her yet Jay? She could probably use a nice glass of wine right about now....

My dreamlife has been a bit on the thin side lately because I have such a heck of a time sleeping due to pain in the neck. My second cervical surgery is scheduled for April 9. Would love it if you beautiful dreamers would keep a good thought for me on that day.

Sweet dreams to all of you.

Love & Light June

Aloha June and Campmates of Feb '02!

Thanks for the wonderful update on many of our wild and dreamy band. As you may know, Peter came back for more to our most recent retreat, where we had a good time recalling the antics and characters who made up our shared dream at Kalani. The accomplishments you mention don't surprise me one bit, considering the creative streak that appears to be so common amongst all of our DreamCampers.

Holding the best of healing images in my mind and heart for you, dear June!

Love & warm aloha to all, Keelin

Dear CampMates!

June has asked me to let you know that she misses us all and sends her love. She's made it through yet another surgery, and although recovery may take some time, her voice still held that special tone that assured me she would make it through this rough passage with the grace of a true lucid dreamer.

And June, if you're checking in here, much love continues to come your way!

Warm and abundant aloha to all, Keelin

Hi, Keelin. Thea here. I wanted to just send a little news to my dream camp mates. I was in San Rafael, California training to get my first guide dog. I had a lovely, luscious, gorgeous dog, who had fur that wouldn't quit, lots of licks, and was a great guide. He was a male yellow Lab named Garrett. I was looking forward to bringing him home after graduation to begin our partnership. But three days before graduation, I was taken ill to Urgent Care. My blood pressure was high, my heart rate accelerated. In addition, I was diagnosed with diabetes. On the advice of the nurse at the hospital, Guide Dogs for the Blind sent me home to recover. I didn't graduate, nor was I able to bring home my darling dog. My md is getting a support team together upon my request: a diabetes educator, dietician, public health nurse, etc., and I also have neuropathy--don't know what will be done about that. They prescribed a muscle relaxant for that and I had x-rays done. All prayers and dream energy accepted here. I'm really sad at having to leave my beautiful dog behind. I was so attached. Thea

Hello Thea,

Prayers and best wishes from here.

Be well.

Jay

Dear Thea!

Sending you all the best healing thoughts I can summon, envisioning your return to better health soon. Garrett was truly fortunate to have known YOU! I imagine he is having his own sad sighs for not coming home with you as well.

Best dreams, bright and healing to you, Keelin

This message is in reply to an email from Hazel who attended TLI's most recent Dreaming and Awakening retreat, and kindly wrote to remind me of the experience I'd shared with that group...

Ah yes, that was a powerful one for both the dreamer and the dreamed! Here it is (below) for any inspiration it may offer to those who wish to wade into their own version of a lucid healing dream.

Prelude: When my best friend of forty years called to tell me she would be having exploratory surgery in a couple of days, I was deeply shaken. As I prepared for bed that night, I put all fear aside and carefully set my intention to have a lucid healing dream on her behalf. I did not script what would happen, but trusted that the dream would hold some appropriate opportunity. My motivation was at its highest level and I was also aware of feeling grateful for the confidence that many years of intentional lucid dreaming has brought.

The Lake of Serenity and Healing M and I are strolling together in the afternoon along the sidewalks of a quiet town. Glancing left for a moment, I catch sight of a small lake of shimmering greenblue that is so stunning in its beauty it interrupts my thoughts. After a few more steps, I look back and it's still there, this water of unbelievable radiance. It is now a slightly different hue -- a lighter green, with an irresistible, iridescent quality. And whatever I have been saying to her, I add with emphasis,"...like that!" and nod in its direction as if to make my point more clearly. And now I realize, this is a dream! An opportunity I have been waiting for all night. The perfect setting as well. A lake of healing water!

"Come with me," I say, taking her hand and leading us into the warm water. She does not hesitate one bit as I guide her to lie down for a watsu massage. Her head should rest in the crook of my arm, but she's tipped back too far and the water splashes over her face. "Hey, this isn't a baptism!" I joke with her, and cradle her head properly in my arm. The back of my left hand supports her lower back beneath the lake's surface, and she floats gently and easily as I glide her body through the calm, shimmering liquid. She is wearing an expression of absolute serenity, the warm healing water, swirling all around her. At one point, because this is a dream, which makes it all so possible, I push off from the ground and we both float free, like a couple of babes in the womb. Nothing to ever hurt us here in this lake of serenity and healing.

My friend came through the surgery (cancerous tumors were removed) and she is recovering well. She claims the dream and accompanying imagery (click on my name in the heading of this message to see the image I created for her) helped her relax and hold onto positive emotions throughout the procedures.

Thanks for the reminder, Hazel. Shimmering dreams to all! Keelin

Thanks, Keelin. I wondered if Garrett misses me. God, I miss him so. But I must concede that between the illnesses and the cures--medications prescribed--I probably couldn't look after him. Anyhow, I know God is in control, and he's here with me, and my friends and family are praying for me in whatever way they do that. The only thing not taken care of is my empty arms--LOLl. No fur here, I'm afraid.

Thea, what an awful thing to happen just three days before you could have taken him home. I don't suppose they will keep Garret for you (your posting had been different) but I wish you to be able to find a new friend as warm and furry as he. From a colder Sweden I send you warm wishes for better health and a new friend. Jan

Hi, Jan. Thanks for good wishes. No, they won't hold Garrett for me. He needs to be working with a blind person as soon as possible so as not to forget his training, and they feel it will take me from six months to a year to manage diabetes and be at a healthier weight and active enough to really do well in guide dog training. So the best I can hope for is another guide dog in a year or so.

Amazing that it's been so long! It's wonderful to see so many of you here.

I had thought I might tell you all about Thea so you could send her your good dreams, and I see that's already underway!

An update on my life: not much news on the grand scale, compared with some of you! I still live in the same place, do the same work, and dream a different dream every night My work does involve some creative projects (writing and illustration) and there is a book I've been working on, a biography of my 93-year-old radical friend which I must finish while she can still appreciate it! I've been in a stable relationship for two years, as defined thus: like any other stable ship, it can survive a major storm without capsizing! (We've just come through a typhoon of mutual misunderstanding.) Life is good.

I spent two weeks in Hawaii this summer; visited Kalani and paid my respects to the Buddha of the black bees; and visited Thea in her wonderful town on the Maui coast. We spent some magical time indulging our non-visual senses in public and private gardens: feeling water lilies, hearing the different echoes of open and shady groves, smelling ginger flowers, chewing kava....

I haven't visited this forum for quite a while, having left in some disgruntlement due to active discouragement of a conversation on psi dreaming some of us were trying to have. I've found other places to continue it since then, and, you know me - my gruntles grow back quickly on the rare occasions that I shed them.

I have visited many of you in dreams, Kalani co-dreamers and other forum friends; each in a different way. You know who you are and you know if it was good. I have the greatest affection for all of you.

Joyful dreams! Joy

Hi Joy!

Good to hear from you again and to know you're still dreaming and drawing and leading an ever-creative life. No surprise there! ;)

Abundant warm aloha to you, Keelin

I haven't had a single LD in months...make that more than 12 actually The more life becomes busy and hectic the more I find myself losing touch .... hehe!

Happy dreams everyone!

DP