This is a technique that I used when I was a teenager. I was prone to horrible nightmares and it was getting to a point where it was affecting my sleep and wellbeing.

It does not work for everyone, but it has worked for quite a few people.

Use this at night when you first go to bed.

Close your eyes. Keep them closed for 30 seconds.

Now open them. What did you see?

Most people answer, "Nothing, just darkness."

Know what I saw?

I saw a valley passing below me, as I flew above it. I saw the beautiful forest, open fields and a stream. I followed the stream for a while, flying close enough to run my hands through the water.

You may be wondering why would I even mention this on a site that deals with dreams?

Because the art is seeing in the dark can help you in so many ways with your dreams.

It helps to clear your mind before you go to sleep, so that many of the troublesome thoughts and fears do not filter into your dreams.

It can aid in helping you to eliminate nightmares.

It is the first step in learning how to control the events in your dreams.

For those who do not dream, or dream very little, it can help to bring dreams back into your life.

It can aid in dictating what you will actually dream about.

Combined with what I call the Alternate World, it can help relieve stress and induce creativity.

It can help with the most amazing sensation of the dream world.

Flying.

It's beautiful.

The Art of Seeing in the Dark

Remember when I asked you to close your eyes. Most people see absolutely nothing or they see unfamiliar or undistinguishable images, usually caused by light filtering through the closed eyelids.

A few think they see something, but they are not quite sure what it is.

Let's see if i can help you see in the dark.

Before we start, I must tell you, this does not work for everyone and only very limited for others. Part of the success of this exercise is training the mind to see what you want it to see.

We are using, The Mind's Eye, so to say, because all your eyes see is basically darkness. We want to see more.

Let's start with something simple. You can choose whatever you want but I always suggest a tree because it is something familiar that we all know. And I suggest a tree with leaves, not a fir tree. Pick whatever tree you want, as long as it is one you are familiar with.

I always suggest a maple tree.

When you close your eyes, concentrate on the tree. All you want to do first is get the image of the tree. Just the outline would be a great start.

The secret of seeing in the dark is to use your eyes as you would when your eyes are open. Look around.

Once you are able to see the outline of the tree, then you want to focus more on the tree itself.

See the trunk of the tree, follow it up to the branches and then outward to the leaves.

Don't be satisfied until you are able to clearly see with each step

Trunk... Branches... Leaves.

When you are able to focus on the leaves, follow the tree to the top. See as much of the tree as you can.

This may happen at your first attempt or this may take several attempts.

And, like I said earlier, it might not happen at all.

If you are able to see all aspects of the tree clearly, then move away again, from the tree and use your eyes exactly as if you were standing there, at the tree. Look up to the top and then back down to the bottom. Keep doing this until you can focus clearly enough that you feel you are there.

If you are successful with this exercise, something amazing will be happening, without you even realizing it.

You will begin to see other objects around the tree. Possibly grass, some flowers, maybe some bushes, other trees and possibly even rocks.

This happens because the subconscious is trying to make sense of what is happening and to do so; it is filling in background so that it becomes familiar.

Now you begin to take your focus from the tree to other objects. Go to the objects. See them and make them what you want them to be.

For a period of time, maybe a week or even two weeks, when you first turn out your light at night, go back to your tree.

As it becomes easier to find the tree, it will become easier to add to the tree's environment. Create your own little world around the tree.

Add a swing or maybe even a little cottage.

Walk beyond the tree and see a little stream.

Create the sky, just as you want it to be.

Add some small animals or birds.

Add yourself or someone else.

This exercise takes time, as I have said and it might not work for everyone. For some it partially works. Many become frustrated and simply forget about it.

I started doing it totally by accident in my early teens, when I started writing. I used to close my eyes and thing about the story I was writing and suddenly I was able to visualize the story in my mind.

It is an amazing experience that has stayed with me for many years and one that I have expanded to a point that when I close my eyes, even in the daytime, I can see what I want to see.

If you truly want this to work, then spend the time. After all, what else are you going to do just before you go to sleep? Your eyes are closed anyway. Most of us have thoughts going through our minds.

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to drift away to a vision of something calm and peaceful? Something of your own creation?

Let me know how you make out with this exercise.

Tell me and the others about your special tree.

This is an excerpt from a series I wrote years ago called 'The Art of Seeing in the Dark'