Greek philospher Aristotle was one of the first humans to ever study and attempt to define dreams. Aristotle believed that we lost all ‘common sense’ of what is real while we dreaming, allowing us to have indescribable visions in our heads. He was one of the first people on record to describe lucid (controllable and seemingly real) dreams, saying that “often when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what then presents itself is but a dream.”

Buddhism’s take on the issue predates Aristotle though, and those who practice this religion have consistently sought enlightenment through lucid dreaming. A main tenet of Buddhism is to follow the eightfold path; and one leg of that path is referred to as Right Mindfulness. Buddhist individuals must contemplate their state of mind, and state of phenomena in order to find reality; but how can I control my dreams without becoming Buddhist?