Transcendental consciousness wakes up in dreaming and deep sleep Commentary on “ The neurobiology of consciousness : Lucid dreaming wakes up ” by J . Allan Hobson

Hobson (2009) highlights the contribution of lucid dreaming research to the field of consciousness study. Hobson (2009) also sites a lack of paradigms and theoretical models of consciousness to advance lucid dreaming research. However in addition to Hobsons’ AIM model (Hobson, Pace-Schott & Stickgold, 2000), there exists discussions of developmental models of consciousness that include lucid dreaming, witnessing waking, witnessing dreaming and witnessing deep sleep that have previously been presented (Alexander et al., 1985; Alexander, 1988; Alexander et al., 1990; Alexander and Langer; 1990; Gackenbach,1991; Travis, 1994; Mason, 1995; Mason et al.1997; Travis, 2005). The authors discuss the possibility of a continuum of experiences that includes lucid dreaming, witnessing dreaming and witnessing deep sleep and their relationship to so-called higher states of consciousness. While lucid dreaming is described as the commingling of ordinary waking state consciousness with dreaming (Gackenbach, 1991), witnessing dreaming has been described as the integration of transcendental consciousness with dreaming and witnessing deep sleep has been described as the integration of transcendental consciousness with deep sleep (Maharishi, 1969). Phenomenological reports of witnessing/transcendental consciousness have been described as an awareness of a peaceful inner wakefulness when one is awake or dreaming or even in deep sleep and are found across cultures, meditation techniques and traditions (Bucke, 1991). Gackenbach and Bosveld (1989, p. 182) state, “The evolution of self-reflective consciousness does not end with lucidity. One can move further along the continuum to a quieter, uninvolved state of awareness that is experienced as having no boundaries known as witnessing.” Maharishi’s (1969) model predicts that experiences of transcendental consciousness will occur in meditation (referring specifically to Transcendental Meditation), also during waking activity, later during dreaming and finally even during the inertia of deep sleep. In this model one method of increasing and stabilizing experiences of transcendental consciousness is through habituation processes, from alternating regular meditation with regular waking activity as well as having adequate rest at night. According to this model when transcendental consciousness is experienced continuously especially during deep sleep then a new so called higher state of consciousness has been achieved. Below is a presentation of research testing this model during dreaming, sleeping, waking and meditation and implications for lucid dreaming research.