About this episode
Join Clare Johnson for a deep dive into the world of nightmares, as we explore her remarkable new book, “The Art of Transforming Nightmares.” Clare proclaims that nightmares are gifts in ugly wrapping paper, and learning how to relate to them as gifts is the first part of transforming them. Her approach is resonant with the tantric or alchemical traditions, where obstacles are opportunities in disguise. The worse the nightmare, the greater the transformative potential. We talk about what causes nightmares, and how to work with them at relative and absolute levels. What is the essence of “nightmare principle,” and how can nightmares “wake us up” spiritually? Dr. Johnson has dozens of practical exercises in this book, and she shares her favorite ones. The book is essentially about fear, and how we can follow our fear to authentic growth. Nightmares allow us to effect a peaceful (but not always pleasant) transfer of power back to its rightful source, empowering us as the authors of our lives. Not only can we re-script a nightmare, we can re-script the very egoic processes that give rise to all nightmares – including samsara itself. “Right View” is everything when it comes to these unwanted dreams, and this conversation will deliver that proper view. Joining the proper view with practical exercises, this conversation will leave you with tips and tricks you can use right away to bring unwanted dreams onto the path. You will readily see why Clare is the Queen of Lucidity.