is likely, I would presume, to replicate man's regrettable
"master-slave" relationship to nature and the physical
world, and only lead to a false sense of triumph. I prefer
the approach which is exemplified in the following
dream:

     I am walking alone outdoors on a sunny day. Suddenly
I become lucid. I continue walking, and realize that
opportunities to test my lucidity will soon arise. I affirm
to myself that I will remain centered and try to flow with
what is presented.
      At this point I notice a dog warily approaching me. I
try to feel love for the dog as I reach down and pet him.
A deep sense of love arises within me. Then I leave the
dog and continue walking ...

     If I had not affirmed a spirit of cooperation, I might
have chosen simply to overpower the dog. Although I
would have experienced a brief "victory" I probably
would have encountered him in a later dream under less
favorable circumstances!
      A second situation which has apparently stimulated
lucidity in my own case has been the presentation of a
novel or incongruous element within the dream. These
anomalies can be observed in normal dreams as well, but
are overlooked with regularity. Examples of such
incongruous events are: a familiar person who looks
different; a familiar scene which reveals an obvious flaw;
or an event which violates known physical laws.
      The following two dreams illustrate this type of lucid
dream:

     I go to visit... whom I haven't seen for months. When
I enter her office, she seems very aloof, which is unlike
her. Also, her face looks different. I realize that it isn't
she at all and that I am dreaming. Immediately I drop to
the floor and begin meditating— and awaken— soon
afterward.

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