Dream programming

I've invented and used this technique for myself, but I'm sure it's not original with me. It's been a wonderful addition to my life, and the fact that I'm not on street corners shouting about this is probably because I'm too old, and too busy. But I've shared it with friends, and those who have tried it have quietly added it to their repertoire of life-coping skills.

Here's the rationale: we're growing,  and changing, all the time. some small subset of that change must come in this 24-hour period we're currently inhabiting, and some of that time will be spent in sleep. When we're awake we're in a more-or-less rational, fixed, sphere of circumstances that limit our possibilities and guide our thoughts and actions, but, when we're sleeping, we're in a world of infinite, irrational, association and possibility. When we wake up in the morning, we're not quite the person we were yesterday. We're either getting stronger or weaker, happier or sadder, better or worse, in whatever set of parameters you may care to name.

So here's the technique: when turning out the lights and laying yourself down before sleep, imagine an environment of infinite possibility, where you can grow or change in any dimension of personal development or ability. Ask yourself to change in no more than three different ways. Do you want to be better with money? Do you have a course of study you're pursuing? Is there a key relationship at work that needs to improve? Do you want to improve your nutrition or your fitness? It could be any three things. Or one thing. Frame your desire in certain, measurable terms, and go to sleep.

It's that simple. Doesn't cost any money. Do this and see what happens for you.

If it's a habit you want to change, keep at this for 28 days. The habit should form successfully in that time. It works for me.

Some of the things I've changed recently: I've given up wheat, corn and rice. I took up Jazzercise twice a week. Then, after some months, three times a week. Now, for the last two months, I'm doing it four times a week. Today I'm finishing up a successful renunciation of potatoes and chocolate.

I'm down more than twelve pounds just this month, and 67 pounds in the last 22 months.

But I've also added some daily musical chores with my dream programming, and I'm sure I could do more. I just don't ask for too much at once. So, I do technique at night - scales, three-note arpeggios, and four-note arpeggios. In the morning I improvise, and at lunchtime I sight-read. (All this on piano.)

Renunciations are in some way the easiest - they involve not doing a thing, or not eating something.
Adding skills is a little harder, but is quite doable with dream programming.

Starting today, I want three things. I want to quit caffeine (it spikes blood sugar, which generally retards fat burning), I want to quit watching television (don't have time anymore), and I want to do more Cisco studies (my certification goes away in December). I actually began visualizing these desires last night.

So, do you have to visualize these desires every night? Well, it works for me. Do you have to consciously remember what you wished for the night before? I don't think so, but it helps.

Don't wish for more than three things! I have no proof for this, but my intuition says to limit the number of goals. You have can as many goals as you wish, but do them in sequence, and attain your first goals first before moving forward with your next ones.

Try it and see!