Lucid Dreaming, Religion and Cognitive Science

For my San Francisco Bay area readers, I”m announcing a free public event titled “Lucid Dreaming, Religion, and Cognitive Science” taking place next week at the Institute of Buddhist Studies. I’ll be speaking about the history of lucid dreaming with a focus on religious and scientific applications, and will be joined by two other dream scholars, Kelly Bulkeley, professor of religion studies at the Graduate Theological Union, and Eleanor Rosch, professor of psychology at University of California Berkeley.

If you are interested in hearing about the secret history of lucid dreaming, as well as how ancient lucid dreaming wisdom is cross-pollinating with the latest findings in cognitive psychology, then please join us!

Here’s the press release:

Lucid dreaming, religion, and cognitive science

A meeting of the GTU/UCB Working Group on Religion and Cognitive Science

May 7, 2009 — Thursday, 10 am-12 noon

Institute of Buddhist Studies

2140 Durant Avenue, Berkeley

This event will explore the phenomenon of lucid dreaming (being conscious within the dream state) from both scientific and comparative religious perspectives. People have reported lucid dreams throughout history, often in religious contexts, and yet modern science is just beginning to investigate this unusual aspect of mind-brain activity.

Ryan Hurd, a graduate of John F. Kennedy’s program in Dream Studies, will provide an overview of the history of lucid dreaming, including spiritual dimensions and contemporary controversies. Eleanor Rosch, professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, will share thoughts about how qualities of lucid dreaming (and lucid sleep) relate to Buddhism and, potentially, Western religions. Kelly Bulkeley, visiting scholar at the Graduate Theological Union, will talk about the various roles of lucid dreaming in the world’s religious traditions and their significance for current scientific models of brain-based consciousness.

The event is free and open to the public. For questions, please contact kellybulkeley@earthlink.net

Image CC: Lotus Flower by ForestMind