Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41892658›Full record

ArticleBrain sciences2026

Inducing Lucid Dreaming Based on a Contemplative Practice of Compassion.

Daniel J Morris, Susana G Torres-Platas, Karen R Konkoly, John Hirschle, Lodoe Sangpo, Thabkhe, Tenzin Legden, Lobsang Pelmo, Tenzin Pasang, Marcia Grabowecky and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Brain sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Daniel J MorrisDepartment of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.ORCID 0009-0005-4579-817X
Susana G Torres-PlatasDepartment of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7405-6275
Karen R KonkolyDepartment of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
John HirschleDepartment of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
Lodoe SangpoGaden Jangtse Monastery, Mundgod 581411, India.
ThabkheSera Jey Monastery, Bylakuppe 571104, India.
Tenzin LegdenDrepung Loseling Monastery, Mundgod 581411, India.
Lobsang PelmoJangchub Choeling Nunnery, Mundgod 581411, India.
Tenzin PasangThe Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, Bengaluru 560072, India.
Marcia GraboweckyDepartment of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
Robin NusslockDepartment of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
Ken A PallerDepartment of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.

Funding

National Institutes of Health, USA T32-NS047987, T32-HL007909
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesLucid dreaming-dreaming with the awareness that one is dreaming-has been explored from many perspectives, including those of cognitive neuroscience and various ancient cultural traditions. Lucid dreaming appears within the Tibetan-Buddhist literature together with dream yoga, a set of contemplative practices aimed at cultivating lucidity during dreams along with other qualities such as visual imagination, somatic awareness, and cognitive flexibility. These practices include deity visualization, which is the practice of bringing to mind a detailed image of a being whose qualities the practitioner wishes to cultivate. We examined whether it is possible to induce a lucid dream of Chenrezig, the ultimate embodiment of compassion in a Tibetan-Buddhist context.

methodsFive participants slept in the sleep laboratory for 7 overnight sessions with polysomnographic recording and auditory reminders to visualize Chenrezig during REM sleep.

resultsLucid dreams were reported by two participants. A frequent lucid dreamer with no prior Tibetan-Buddhist training experienced a lucid dream that included a visualization of Chenrezig following auditory cueing during REM sleep. A monastic participant with no prior history of lucid dreaming reported their first-ever lucid dream on the night following their laboratory session.

conclusionsThis exploratory study illustrates, via collaborative research including monastic scholars trained in neuroscience, that dream content can be intentionally shaped using an approach that integrates contemplative visualization practices with modern techniques of dream engineering.

Indexed as

contemplative sleep practicesdreamingdream yogalucid dreamingREM sleep

Identifiers

PMID41892658
PMCPMC13023924

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