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Active Dreaming: Journeying Beyond Self-Limitation to a Life of Wild Freedom
Practical Magic for Living the “Life of Your Dreams”
Active Dreaming is a way of being fully of this world while maintaining constant contact with another world, the world-behind-the-world, where the deeper logic and purpose of our lives are to be found. Active Dreaming offers three core areas of practice: talking and walking our dreams to bring energy and guidance from the dreamworld into everyday life; shamanic lucid dreaming; and conscious living.
Active dreamers are choosers. They learn to recognize that whatever situation they are in, they always have choice. They choose not to buy into self-limiting beliefs or the limited models of reality suggested by others. Active dreamers learn to grow a dream of possibility, a dream strong enough to take them beyond fear and despair to a place of freedom and delight.
Active Dreaming is a way of being fully of this world while maintaining constant contact with another world, the world-behind-the-world, where the deeper logic and purpose of our lives are to be found. Active Dreaming offers three core areas of practice: talking and walking our dreams to bring energy and guidance from the dreamworld into everyday life; shamanic lucid dreaming; and conscious living.
Active dreamers are choosers. They learn to recognize that whatever situation they are in, they always have choice. They choose not to buy into self-limiting beliefs or the limited models of reality suggested by others. Active dreamers learn to grow a dream of possibility, a dream strong enough to take them beyond fear and despair to a place of freedom and delight.
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2011
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597 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 4, 2021
Active Dreaming is more than just another book about lucid dreaming or dream interpretation. Moss takes the Aboriginal practices of his native Australia and develops a living practice wherein one treats the world, whether waking or sleeping, like an lucid dream.
Moss invites the readers to fully live their lives and to "wake up" through drumming circles, sharing and interpretation of dreams, choosing your names and how you define yourself, practicing mindful creativity, noticing synchronicities, journaling, storytelling, creative visualization (and more).
Some of the concepts in this book were a bit far out there- things like shared dreams or visions in which, theoretically, you invite another person into your dreamspace to help you address whatever is going on for you or instructions on how to start Dream Groups.
Active Dreaming is a call to action, but in so many directions that it is difficult to really know where to start. I think I'm going to cherry pick a few of Moss's techniques and see how I do.
Robert Moss's definition of Active Dreaming: "This approach includes paying attention to night dreams, but it is not only, or even essentially, about what happens at night. It is a method for conscious living. When you become an active dreamer, you'll notice that the world speaks to you in a different way." pg xii introduction
Here are some of the benefits of practicing Active Dreaming: "The journey opens gateways for soul recovery and the release of life blockages. It introduces and strengthens connections with the animal guardians and brings their vitality, tracking skills, and healing energies richly alive in the body. It encourages spontaneous art and creativity and offers rich personal mythology, which is healing in itself. Properly conducted, the journey raises a tremendous amount of life force and channels the movement of that energy into harmonious, unrestricted flow." pg 98
And finally, a passage that really resonated with me: "You must know your story and tell your story and have your story received. ... Learn to do that, and you can survive the worst nightmares of history and bring heart and healing to others..." pg 134
Tell your story. I can do that.
This review has really only touched the tip of the iceberg that is Active Dreaming. Read this book if you want to adjust the lens with which you perceive reality or if you just want to read a book that is completely different from anything else that you've ever read.
Robert Moss is not for everyone, but, if you can set aside any preconceived notions about what this book should be, I think that you'll find at least some chapters that will speak to you.
If you're looking for more spiritual books like this, look no further than another of Moss's titles: The Boy Who Died and Came Back: Adventures of a Dream Archaeologist in the Multiverse
Moss invites the readers to fully live their lives and to "wake up" through drumming circles, sharing and interpretation of dreams, choosing your names and how you define yourself, practicing mindful creativity, noticing synchronicities, journaling, storytelling, creative visualization (and more).
Some of the concepts in this book were a bit far out there- things like shared dreams or visions in which, theoretically, you invite another person into your dreamspace to help you address whatever is going on for you or instructions on how to start Dream Groups.
Active Dreaming is a call to action, but in so many directions that it is difficult to really know where to start. I think I'm going to cherry pick a few of Moss's techniques and see how I do.
Robert Moss's definition of Active Dreaming: "This approach includes paying attention to night dreams, but it is not only, or even essentially, about what happens at night. It is a method for conscious living. When you become an active dreamer, you'll notice that the world speaks to you in a different way." pg xii introduction
Here are some of the benefits of practicing Active Dreaming: "The journey opens gateways for soul recovery and the release of life blockages. It introduces and strengthens connections with the animal guardians and brings their vitality, tracking skills, and healing energies richly alive in the body. It encourages spontaneous art and creativity and offers rich personal mythology, which is healing in itself. Properly conducted, the journey raises a tremendous amount of life force and channels the movement of that energy into harmonious, unrestricted flow." pg 98
And finally, a passage that really resonated with me: "You must know your story and tell your story and have your story received. ... Learn to do that, and you can survive the worst nightmares of history and bring heart and healing to others..." pg 134
Tell your story. I can do that.
This review has really only touched the tip of the iceberg that is Active Dreaming. Read this book if you want to adjust the lens with which you perceive reality or if you just want to read a book that is completely different from anything else that you've ever read.
Robert Moss is not for everyone, but, if you can set aside any preconceived notions about what this book should be, I think that you'll find at least some chapters that will speak to you.
If you're looking for more spiritual books like this, look no further than another of Moss's titles: The Boy Who Died and Came Back: Adventures of a Dream Archaeologist in the Multiverse
July 27, 2012
The perfect book at the right moment! It really helped me to practice "dreaming" my life actively. It teaches you how to see your reality and transform it. Great book!
September 17, 2015
The our minds are very complex places, and there's many ways to approach understanding yourself, and gaining a better balance. This book may work for some people. Moss approaches things through a varied and complex list of techniques, other worldliness, demons, angels, animals, you name it, he's got it in there. And all through the tapestry of dreaming. I think he's an interesting man. I've heard him speak through a pod-cast and I must say that he's very convincing. It's kind of amazing that he too went to so many different dreaming groups, helped so many people out in so many places. In a way, he is respectful, and yet personal. He wants to show you the way to yourself. He wants to complete your inner child and you -- to show you the universe is your play ground, and that the further deeper you dive into yourself, the more world you will find, to better yourself and others in increased understanding.
At least, that's what he says.
He has many techniques on how to help yourself and others in dreaming. Many times, it's remarkable how personal people get with their dreams. We think of dreams as being solitary activities. But Moss wants us to share them with others, and even dream with them. In a way, the conversations people have in here, is like talking through a cloud. Everyone sees something different and everyone has something to contribute. With love and care, Moss writes that we should all dream together, to heal you and heal them. The vision Moss creates of the world is that we should share our experiences and learn and assure each other that through all the trials in the world, in the end, we are all ok.
At least, that's what he says.
He has many techniques on how to help yourself and others in dreaming. Many times, it's remarkable how personal people get with their dreams. We think of dreams as being solitary activities. But Moss wants us to share them with others, and even dream with them. In a way, the conversations people have in here, is like talking through a cloud. Everyone sees something different and everyone has something to contribute. With love and care, Moss writes that we should all dream together, to heal you and heal them. The vision Moss creates of the world is that we should share our experiences and learn and assure each other that through all the trials in the world, in the end, we are all ok.
June 1, 2013
I got to the chapter about chakras and I just gave up. I am fascinated by dreams & lucid dreams, & have explored both. I even believe some of the flakier things Robert Moss says. But as I read his book, I started to realize Robert Moss embraces every single flake of the flakey new age movement. He takes all of it seriously. I can't. And so, midway through the book, I bailed.
Moss' descriptions of how to dream while awake, how to enter sleep so you dream lucidly immediately, and other practical things are barely described. You would think he'd want to spend some time detailing these things. Nope. He glosses over it like a few sentences are enough.
Part of the problem appears to be a reluctance to define an experience for other people. Robert wants you to experience your dreams in your own way. This reluctance gets in the way of describing basic, step by step processes.
I wish Moss well. I'm following him on Facebook & Twitter. But a lot of his ideas are just too silly for me to embrace.
Moss' descriptions of how to dream while awake, how to enter sleep so you dream lucidly immediately, and other practical things are barely described. You would think he'd want to spend some time detailing these things. Nope. He glosses over it like a few sentences are enough.
Part of the problem appears to be a reluctance to define an experience for other people. Robert wants you to experience your dreams in your own way. This reluctance gets in the way of describing basic, step by step processes.
I wish Moss well. I'm following him on Facebook & Twitter. But a lot of his ideas are just too silly for me to embrace.
November 14, 2019
This book is a culmination of Robert Moss' work in dreamwork, shamanism, and conscious living that he has practiced and taught through workshops and trainings over the past 30 years. There is a lot of information here, and much is not applicable to the solo practitioner. Therefore, I don't recommend this book to those who are unfamiliar with the work of Robert Moss.
I, myself, cannot make use of the group dream practices that are laid out in the book, but there are certain exercises that I can try out. Moss' prose is such a pleasure to read that I have no problem exploring those parts of his material that I know I'm not going to be able to incorporate into my life. It all stimulates my imagination and helps me see possibilities.
Don't dismiss him as some New Age flake. Moss' work is rooted in expansive scholarship (see the footnotes and bibliography of any of his books) and he has grounded many of his ideas in the work of Carl Jung, hardly a spiritual lightweight. People who dismiss Moss' work as so much New Age drivel shows lack of reading comprehension, at the very least.
To those who have not read Robert Moss, I suggest starting with his memoir "The Boy Who Died and Came Back." He has lived a vastly interesting life, and this book is a great introduction to the work that he does, and the kind of thinking that lead him to develop his methods.
I, myself, cannot make use of the group dream practices that are laid out in the book, but there are certain exercises that I can try out. Moss' prose is such a pleasure to read that I have no problem exploring those parts of his material that I know I'm not going to be able to incorporate into my life. It all stimulates my imagination and helps me see possibilities.
Don't dismiss him as some New Age flake. Moss' work is rooted in expansive scholarship (see the footnotes and bibliography of any of his books) and he has grounded many of his ideas in the work of Carl Jung, hardly a spiritual lightweight. People who dismiss Moss' work as so much New Age drivel shows lack of reading comprehension, at the very least.
To those who have not read Robert Moss, I suggest starting with his memoir "The Boy Who Died and Came Back." He has lived a vastly interesting life, and this book is a great introduction to the work that he does, and the kind of thinking that lead him to develop his methods.
January 31, 2013
This is a fresh, innovative way to tap into your sixth sense and a great new way of integrating dream travel with your conscious awareness. Anyone who wants to learn how to become more in tune with their inner selves or soul desires needs to read this book. Not only are you shown how to travel into your chakra centres and map them, you are also given the bonus of increasing your psychic awareness thus enriching your waking life.
Aside from all that, I gave this book only 4 stars just because there is a lot of material on shared dreaming - something of which I don't feel many will find useful unless they have someone they feel comfortable sharing dreams with. Otherwise it is a great book.
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Have to add that I skipped ahead in this book to try the chapter of mapping my natural energy. In it, Robert provides what he calls a "goaded" meditation in which you go inside each of your chakras and visually "map" the landscape and any symbols or animals you find there. When finished, he describes ways in which you might fix or empower any energy centres that may be missing, blocked or unhealthy. I tried this meditation and was quite impressed with the ease of which I was able to map each chakra.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommend it to anyone wanting to explore their dream lives.
Aside from all that, I gave this book only 4 stars just because there is a lot of material on shared dreaming - something of which I don't feel many will find useful unless they have someone they feel comfortable sharing dreams with. Otherwise it is a great book.
-----------
Have to add that I skipped ahead in this book to try the chapter of mapping my natural energy. In it, Robert provides what he calls a "goaded" meditation in which you go inside each of your chakras and visually "map" the landscape and any symbols or animals you find there. When finished, he describes ways in which you might fix or empower any energy centres that may be missing, blocked or unhealthy. I tried this meditation and was quite impressed with the ease of which I was able to map each chakra.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommend it to anyone wanting to explore their dream lives.
April 15, 2012
I can always tell when I’m getting stressed out. I sleep but never seem refreshed in the morning. The funny thing is that during those periods, I tend not to remember my dreams. After reading Active Dreaming, I think there might be a connection here.
Active Dreaming looks at the importance of dreams. In our modern world, dreaming is something that is often overlooked and undervalued. Yes, we understand that we must have REM sleep cycles to stay healthy but tend to dismiss our dreams during those cycles as light entertainment.
With that said, who amongst us hasn’t had a dream that came true or went to bed with a problem and happened upon the perfect solution upon awakening? Who hasn’t dreamed of a symbol or idea that seemed to repeat itself all day long? Perhaps in dismissing our dreams, we are missing something significant. Something more than a way to work out issues and practice new skills or even beyond spiritual guidance. A connection to the deepest part of ourselves but also to others around us.
Active Dreaming looks at the importance of dreams. In our modern world, dreaming is something that is often overlooked and undervalued. Yes, we understand that we must have REM sleep cycles to stay healthy but tend to dismiss our dreams during those cycles as light entertainment.
With that said, who amongst us hasn’t had a dream that came true or went to bed with a problem and happened upon the perfect solution upon awakening? Who hasn’t dreamed of a symbol or idea that seemed to repeat itself all day long? Perhaps in dismissing our dreams, we are missing something significant. Something more than a way to work out issues and practice new skills or even beyond spiritual guidance. A connection to the deepest part of ourselves but also to others around us.
September 21, 2012
Robert Moss, a modern-day dream shaman, shares more of his techniques for working with night-time dreams, coincidences, and waking visions, active imagination, and journeying, to wake up our inner purpose and true identity. His workshops are the best way to experience this material but the book provides a good review and an adequate substitution (if you actually do the exercises). I particularly resonated with the correlation of our dreams and the stories we live our lives by and the work that can be done to heal and change them.
Book Pairings: Laura Simms' Our Secret Territory and Lewis Mehl-Madrona's Coyote Wisdom and, of course, other fiction and non-fiction books by Robert Moss.
Book Pairings: Laura Simms' Our Secret Territory and Lewis Mehl-Madrona's Coyote Wisdom and, of course, other fiction and non-fiction books by Robert Moss.
May 15, 2011
Personally it was way too 'new-agey' for me. I'm sure if I was a different person I'd think the book was great. So if you think it's something you like you probably will. I just thought it'd be more about lucid dreaming and using dreams to better your life. Not visions, energy lines, animal spirits, etc.
March 12, 2020
This comment from Edward Herman and Gerry O’Sullivan’s 1989 The “Terrorism” Industry, makes it clear that Robert Moss may not be the shamanic dream master he is selling himself as. He has no real affiliations to the shamanic cultures he appropriates from, but a very real and long background in CIA covert propagandist activity. Funny how this long career of his is never mentioned on his blog, his webinars, or in his books. Do approach his writings with suspicion and do a little googling before accepting him in his new persona as a dream guru.
“Robert Moss has been a major figure in the organization of terrorism think tanks and in the dissemination of the right-wing version of the Western model of terrorism. In fact, as Fred Landis has pointed out, “For a price, Moss would go to Rhodesia, South Africa, Iran, and Nicaragua and tailor his standard KGB plot to local circumstances, thereby justifying repression of the political opposition and denial of human rights.”
Moss withdrew from the world of make-believe threat-conjuring in 1987 to write books and run workshops on the power of dreaming. But with his cutting edge expertise in seeding the collective unconscious with lies and fabrications for political and financial purposes, can it really be assumed that Robert Moss’s dream work is only about helping people to receive wisdom and gifts for your life?
Robert Moss’s Students, and those reading his books should be asking these questions.
“Robert Moss has been a major figure in the organization of terrorism think tanks and in the dissemination of the right-wing version of the Western model of terrorism. In fact, as Fred Landis has pointed out, “For a price, Moss would go to Rhodesia, South Africa, Iran, and Nicaragua and tailor his standard KGB plot to local circumstances, thereby justifying repression of the political opposition and denial of human rights.”
Moss withdrew from the world of make-believe threat-conjuring in 1987 to write books and run workshops on the power of dreaming. But with his cutting edge expertise in seeding the collective unconscious with lies and fabrications for political and financial purposes, can it really be assumed that Robert Moss’s dream work is only about helping people to receive wisdom and gifts for your life?
Robert Moss’s Students, and those reading his books should be asking these questions.
October 23, 2017
A book to return to time and again as skills advance.
November 28, 2021
A very validating read as most of this I knew without knowing I knew.
September 10, 2013
For anyone interested in deepening their relationship with their dreams, and using dream experience as life guides, Robert Moss is a wonderful teacher. In a class by himself, beyond dream analysis or interpretation , he is a learned guide and also very entertaining. This, and all his books: highly recommended.
February 3, 2016
Sometimes in life, one has to put down a book frequently and I find that it reduces the impact of a book. I had the leisure to read this book in a short period of time and boy, did I enjoy it! It's the third one that I read by Robert Moss and perhaps the one that I prefer. It inspires me to create a dream community. It will become a textbook for me. I highly recommend it!
Bravo!
Bravo!
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April 16, 2016I love the concept of Active dreaming. Dreaming does not need to be a passive series of events. Learn to honor your dreams and give them something in return. All sorts of delightful, insightful moments begin to open up new worlds of possibilities.
May 4, 2015
Dreams is one of my favorite subjects, and they way Robert Moss teaches his techniques to work with them is really appealing to me.
March 26, 2017
I read this because I am reading everything my local library has on Lucid Dreaming and this came up in the library search engine. It has a technique I had never heard of called "Active Dreaming" that is very easy to do and got me instant results on multiple nights. Also the book has a lot of interesting chapters that aren't about Active or Lucid dreaming but are interesting nonetheless. Very interesting, surprisingly good.
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