Nightmares

[black_tea]

When I started practicing more consistantly my dreams became more vivid, I remembered more of them upon awakening, and while they were not all bad, there was a higher number of bad ones than I typically have (and they weren't my typical anxiety dreams either). I've been in the process of moving and that has completely disrupted my usual routine, so I've been rather lax over the past couple of weeks about nembutsu. My dreams have also returned to normal. It will be interesting to see what happens when I get back into the swing of things again.

[Nosta]

Blacktea, these days my recitations are not so many (lots of work, I am also very tired) and I think my sleep is not so good. I realised that when i do more nembutsu, I may have better sleep, altought I may also have bad dreams as you.

I also think that doing somes "pauses" from practice can be good for me, because buddhism makes me think a lot about life and death, and sometimes that can be depressing.

[kirtu]

If you don't mind sharing, what was the purification mantra you were taught?

It was the mantra of Vajrasattva, the Buddha of Purification in Tibetan Buddhism. It has 100 syllables and can be complex. The short version is OM VAJRASATTVA HUNG.

Kirt

[Nighthawk]

I really advise you to read the ebook from the link I gave on my last post, if nightmares, bad visions and bad signs are something regular on your practice.

You will understand that they are just the reflex of bad karma - probably from previous lives - and also that they are just samsaras. Ignore the bad omens that you may find on your practice. Focus on what you have to do: nembutsu. Sensations are just sensations, be it good or bad, and a vision wont be a threat.

But if the bad visions you have are not during your practice, but while dreaming, it seems that you need much more practice. Who knows, only within years your bad dreams may stop. There are many factors here: heavy/bad karma from previous lives will affect your dreams, but also your current personality, your brain structure itself, what you do during the day, what you eat before sleep, etc. Finding the solution is hard.

I have bad dreams many times too and since young I have lots of trouble sleeping. There are some things that may help. One of them is physical exercise. I dont have a lot of time to do it (as a teacher, I must prepare classes for the next day when at home (at evening/night) and be in the school during the day, so I dont have any time for exercises, but when I do it, I will feel a LOT better and sleep much more.

I am to much of a thinker guy in a "thinking" job (I mean, a lot of bureaucracy & lot of stress dealing with classes), so the exercise is very important to me. Try that, it may help you too.

I read the link you provided but the teacher describes one experiencing evil hell realms. I don't I've ever experienced such a thing in my nightmares. I believe my nightmares are more related to my bad thoughts, deeds, and memories in this present life.

[Nighthawk]

When I started practicing more consistantly my dreams became more vivid, I remembered more of them upon awakening, and while they were not all bad, there was a higher number of bad ones than I typically have (and they weren't my typical anxiety dreams either). I've been in the process of moving and that has completely disrupted my usual routine, so I've been rather lax over the past couple of weeks about nembutsu. My dreams have also returned to normal. It will be interesting to see what happens when I get back into the swing of things again.

black_tea, when did you start your nembutsu practice?

[black_tea]

black_tea, when did you start your nembutsu practice?

I really got more serious about it back in December -- started by silently reciting on the shuttle bus to and from work, and at other points in the day. Then in January began getting up early so that no matter what I would be sure to practice everyday. I think that's about the time I started having weird dreams including some icky nightmare type stuff.

[Nighthawk]

black_tea, when did you start your nembutsu practice?

I really got more serious about it back in December -- started by silently reciting on the shuttle bus to and from work, and at other points in the day. Then in January began getting up early so that no matter what I would be sure to practice everyday. I think that's about the time I started having weird dreams including some icky nightmare type stuff.

Keep it up and don't let up!