Inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision for continued collaboration between science and Buddhism, this research aims to explore how best to induce lucid dreaming—where individuals realize they are dreaming while still asleep—by integrating Tibetan Dream Yoga with modern scientific techniques. Tibetan Dream Yoga offers profound insights into the mind and consciousness but has rarely been studied alongside modern methods for inducing lucid dreams. Our research will take place at the Drepung Loseling Meditation and Science Center in India, where monastic scholars study both traditional texts and modern science. Our research group includes 12 monastic scholars focused on sleep and dreaming who are at the forefront of this project, leading study design, data collection, and interpreting results. We will record brain activity and other physiological signals during sleep to evaluate the success of these methods. In addition to advancing our understanding of lucid dreaming, this project will provide valuable training for the monastic scholars interested in EEG methods, equipping them with scientific skills that will support their future investigations. By blending contemplative wisdom with modern science, we hope to unlock new insights into the mind and contribute to the broader field of contemplative science.
Varela Grant
