Edge of Mind Podcast

Join Andrew in this far-reaching conversation with Richard Miller, as they talk about iRest, Yoga Nidra, lucid dreaming, sleep yoga, and the deep connection between lucid body and lucid mind.Richard is known for his “translational research,” which is all about bringing science and spiritual teachings into daily life. Dr. Miller shares his remarkable experience introducing meditation to the military, and helping veterans manage the damaging effects of combat. They also discuss a host of near enemies that surround spiritual practice, and the importance of the “market test” – how to sustain lucidity in all states, day or night.Richard then turns to the koshas, or “sheaths” of identity, and how problems arise because we have a wild case of mistaken identity. The conversation shifts to the role of effort on the path, and the magic of grace and love on the journey to awakening.The entire conversation circles around the real meaning of “nonduality,” and how this esoteric doctrine has vast exoteric applications. Joining psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality, this conversation covers vast terrain, all in the service of helping others and this world.—Richard C. Miller, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, author, researcher, yogic scholar and spiritual teacher who, for the past 47 years has devoted his life to integrating western psychology and neuroscience with the ancient wisdom teachings of Yoga, Tantra, Advaita, Taoism, and Buddhism. Developer of the research-based program, Integrative Restoration – iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation, Richard is founding president of the iRest Institute, cofounder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, past founding president of the Institute for Spirituality and Psychology. He is author of iRest Meditation, The iRest Program for Healing PTSD and Yoga Nidra: The Meditative Heart of Yoga. Richard leads retreats and trainings internationally emphasizing enlightened living in daily life. www.irest.org.

In this interview Andrew talks to the cognitive neuroscientist Jordan Quaglia about their joint study on the relationship of virtual reality to lucid dreaming.They discuss the exciting future of VR, as well as the many concerns. VR is like a stem cell, which can grow into healthy tissue (all the psychological and spiritual benefits) or a tumor (pornography and raw entertainment). VR, like lucid dreaming, can be used to develop empathy via virtual embodiment and also help us prepare for death via virtual disembodiment.Andrew and Jordan talk about the phenomenology of non-lucidity, and how we love to be “captured” and swept away by outer displays like movies and VR, as well as the inner display of the mind itself.They introduce the concept of “virtual lucidity” and its relationship to dream lucidity, and discuss exciting future directions for research. Plus, discover why Deepak Chopra said after his first VR experience, “This is going to change the world.” It’s all here and more!To view the study Andrew and Jordan completed click here.

Join Andrew as he talks with noted science writer James Kingsland. James is a medical and science journalist with over twenty-five years' experience working for publications including New Scientist, Nature and the Guardian, a British daily newspaper, where he was a commissioning editor and contributor for its Notes & Theories blog. On his own blog the Plastic Brain, he writes about neuroscience and Buddhist psychology.In this interview, Andrew talks with James about his forthcoming book, “Am I Dreaming? The New Science of Consciousness and How Altered States Reboot the Brain.”When asked to endorse the book, Andrew wrote, “If you’re not shocked by this book, you don’t understand it.” This is a tour-de-force look at neurophenomenology (where science meets spirit), and a deep exploration of the nature of perception – how it is that we “dream” our world into existence.Additional topics discussed by Andrew and James include; hypnosis, virtual reality, psychedelics, hallucination, lucid dreaming, and how altered states can help us discover the natural state.Learn about the neural substrates of ego, the default mode network and the salience network, and how meditation rudely interrupts the narratives created by these networks.Find out why you sometimes have to “lose your mind to find reality.” Discover how it is truly possible that lucid dreamers are on the cutting edge of evolution. . . and so much more.

Join Andrew as he talks to the psychologist and lucid dream therapist Kristen LaMarca as they explore a host of fascinating topics that include:Lucid dream nightmare therapy, sleep state misperception, imagery rehearsal therapy, PTSD, alternative world syndrome, the importance of proper “holding environments,” and the type of person who is amenable to these unique forms of dream therapy.What is lucid dream therapy and how does it work? Are there any contraindications? What are its applications and limitations?Dr. LaMarca shares stories from her extensive experience as an elite lucid dreamer, as well as case histories from her clients. She talks about her recent scientific publications, and her long-time research with the Lucidity Institute, under the guidance of Dr. Stephen LaBerge.MILD, WILD, and DILD induction methods are discussed, along with Kristen’s go-to techniques, how to handle discouragement, and how to work with insomnia.You will quickly see why she is one of the exciting new voices in the therapeutic applications of lucid dreaming, and a premiere guide for showing people how to have lucid dreams.

This interview with noted researcher, author, and veteran lucid dreamer Ryan Hurd covers a wide range of fascinating material. We discuss the “archeology of consciousness,” and what Ryan refers to as the Paleolithic Mind. We talk about polyphasic cultures that honor dreams, and the limitations of our monophasic view that colonizes and dismisses states of consciousness it can’t fully experience. The conversation then turns to some of the shadow sides of lucid dreaming, Ryan’s expertise with lucid nightmares, and how to work with fear – seeing it as a good sign. “We have to go to the underworld to enter the upper-world.” We talk about sexuality and dreams, using the “safe sex” of lucid dreams to transform the heat of passion into the warmth of compassion, and how to work with this connecting energy in what Buddhists call “the realm of desire.” Ryan’s intelligence, scholarship, and passion for lucid dreaming is clearly evident in this rich romp.We then turn to his book on sleep paralysis, and explore the nocebo effect, “ghost rape,” REM Behavioral Sleep Disorder, and how this paralysis is connected to visitations – both nefarious and angelic – as well as alien abduction. We talk about the promising future of lucid dreaming, as well as the concerns. Ryan then shares his view on all the electronic gadgets, apps, and drug supplements (including the results from his recent study on galantamine) that are designed to enhance lucid dreaming. Are there any “magic bullets” on the horizon? We close with a discussion about his go-to methods for inducing lucidity, and how to work with discouragement. Ryan’s rigorous but open-minded approach to lucid dreaming, fueled by deep personal experience, makes him uniquely qualified to address the wide scope of nocturnal practice.

In this delightful interview you’ll get a taste for why Robert Waggoner is one of the leading voices of lucid dreaming in the West. For over forty years Robert has logged over 1000 lucid dreams, and the stories he shares are just amazing. This interview reveals the spirit of proper sharing, and why our discussion forum is integral to Night Club.Robert fearlessly and generously talks about dream events that “cracked open my world,” and led him to deep psycho-spiritual growth. So much of what he shares is resonant with Buddhist dream and sleep yoga – which is noteworthy because he was not a Buddhist when he had these powerful experiences. Robert aspires to use lucid dreaming “to go beyond lucid dreaming, to discover the nature of reality.” The cast of characters he runs into in his dreams, and then in real life, will send a chill up your spine.  We talk about fear, sleep yoga, zones of learning, dreams of premonition, going to the energy in your dreams, and even a dose of bardo yoga when Robert shares that in order to go deeper, “I had to agree to cease to be.”My conversation with Robert Waggoner continues as we discuss his “go-to” methods for inducing lucidity, which in addition to the wake-and-back-to-bed method is largely about creating a lucid mindset. Robert shares his advice for how to work with discouragement, and suggests being “playfully persistent,” relating to the entire lucidity project as a game. In other words, lighten up, relax and have fun — “Loosen up dude.” Take a break. We talk about the importance of honoring and valuing our non-lucid dreams and their symbolism, the relationship of lucid dreaming to hypnosis, and then how to work with fear – which can subliminally derail our lucid dreams. The conversation then turns to how lucid dreaming can be used for healing, with some remarkable stories that support this claim. Robert is that rare being who has dedicated his life to lucid dreaming, and his passion for this topic is contagious.

Join sleep expert and meditation teacher Tucker Peck Phd as we cascade through a host of very practical tips around sleep disorders and how to manage them. Much of the interview is centered around insomnia, and treatments like CBTi, but we also talk about the importance of sleep hygiene, how to work with jet lag, the place of sleep supplements like melatonin, the danger of prescription sleep drugs, the problem with artificial light, and how meditation does – or doesn’t – fit into sleep disorders. Tucker had some surprising suggestions, and the breadth of his scientific knowledge and clinical experience in treating sleep issues is evident. When conjoined with his delightful humor, the impact of the information he shares really comes home.

Join noted author and lucid dreaming expert Charlie Morley and I as we take a wide-ranging romp into the world of dream yoga and lucid dreaming. From the top induction methods, to shadow work, to healing, to working with discouragement, to the placebo effect – this is one rich and fun interview. Charlie’s passion is infectious, and his deep knowledge and even deeper experience quite impressive. This man walks the talk, and I now see why he’s the leading teacher on these nocturnal practices in Europe. We really hit it off, and bounced off each other in a very fruitful way. I left the interview with renewed enthusiasm and inspiration for lucid dreaming and dream yoga – and the boundless potential they contain.

Ken Wilber covers a vast array of topics in this remarkable interview.It was so enthralling and all encompassing that before we knew it over three hours had flown by!Ken shares his personal story and then offers an overview of Integral Theory that is not to be missed. Integral Theory is completely in harmony with the spirit of Night Club (and the six tracks of Night School), and has unparalleled explanatory power that covers both the nocturnal and diurnal aspects of what Night Club aspires to offer. This is one reason we invited Ken to be our first interview guest, because the map he describes completely covers the territory we will be exploring.Topics covered include the importance of both Waking Up and Growing Up, and the difference between states and structures of consciousness. This is followed by a discussion of Cleaning Up (the importance of shadow work) and finally Showing Up (using all four “quadrants” to step back into the world). We then return to his personal journey, emphasizing the place of the nocturnal meditations on his path. We then discuss the irreducible instruction on the spiritual path (and the little known secret to attaining lucidity), and the affective or emotional aspect of what it is like to “wake up.” What does that actually feel like, how can we identify it? We then talk about what being fully realized has to include, and the limitations of “partial enlightenment” that trap so many unsuspecting practitioners. In order for your awakening to be complete, you have to return fully and freely into the world of form. We close with a look at the plasticity or dream-like nature of the phenomenal world, and the role of projection in the creation (or co-enactment) of the world. This interview reveals how one can use the medium of sleep and dream to wake up to the nature of mind and reality altogether.In this interview you will see why Ken is called a national treasure.