People often state that they do not dream. Others recalling only the occasional
dream have asked if there are techniques to improve their recall. The answer is
yes. Try some of these techniques. They may not work for everyone, some will,
some may not, all of them may. It varies from person to person, you just have
to persevere and find the one you like best. :-)
AIDS TO DREAM RECALL
* Awaken slowly and naturally when you can. Alarm clocks do not take into
account where
you are in the sleep cycle of brain wave status... (this I realise isn't easy
when you have to work and be up at certain times)
* Keep a journal with a pen within arms reach while sleeping.
If you can, write the whole dream down, even
if it is the middle of the night. However, just writing an outline of the key
symbols and action of the dream can be very helpful to your recall in the
morning. For middle of the night dreams, a small, hand-held tape recorder can
come in handy because it can be easier to speak about your dreams rather than
write in the middle of the night.
* Sometimes it helps to read through a few
recent dreams in your journal before retiring. This puts your subconscious into
a state of expectation which aids dream recall.
* You can repeat affirmations to yourself as you drift off to sleep. One
such affirmation might be: "I will
remember my dreams clearly with I awake and I will understand their meaning".
* Place a clear quartz crystal under your pillow.
Before retiring, hold it to your forehead and visualise a blackboard inside the
crystal. Mentally ask your crystal to record all dreams on the blackboard,and
then place it under your pillow. In the morning, as soon as possible, have your
journal and pen ready, hold the crystal back to your forehead, and request that
the crystal release and show you your dreams. Write them down immediately
because once your dreams are released from the crystal, you won't be able to
access them again unless you recall them yourself.
That's all I have for now...
:-) Just a little food for thought. Sweet dreams LaughingKoala
Very useful lists LK....I've tried to think of anything else that might be
useful...! ummm...
Okay...when you wake and you have had a dream, like the tips say, writing it
down right away is a good thing. However...first....lie absolutely still and
mentally review the dream in your head before you move. This may seem silly,
but there is something about the brain activity that is involved in moving
muscles that wipes out dreams unless it has been transfered to "normal
memory" first....don't ask me why...must have slept through that part of the
lecture! So, wake up...think hey, cool dream..lie there, mentally review the
points in it and images...then leap to the pen book and all that...actually
that is why dictaphones are really good, because you don't have to move at
all to start putting stuff down! Trust me, you remember a lot more that way.
Meditation, visualisations and self-hypnosis - they all in some ways train
you to recall your dreams more effectively as they have the common feature
of getting it to be second nature to pay attention to the images and way
that your mind produces them. They make it a habit...and provide material
for dream to draw upon. Symbols from meditations and all that you may have
consciously interepreted have a habit of turning up in dreams - makes it a
lot easier to get to grip with the dream.
Self-hynosis...you can actually plant a suggestion in your mind to you will
remember your dreams.., similar to the affirmation statements LK was saying
about. The only thing I'd say is make a qualifier on the suggestion "I will
remember my SIGNIFICANT dreams," As I know from experience that if you say I
will remember all my dream and it works...it works too darn well!
Also...the crystal under the pillow really works....also has the side effect
of protecting you. Be careful...don't start with a huge crystal...you'll get a crick
in your neck for a start....hehehe...and choose one with care...a friend of
mine accidentally left a rutilated quartz point under her pillow, and woke
up feeling like she'd had one too many the night before...looked like it too!
LOL
er...that's all I can think of at the moment...
sweet dreams everyone!
Peregrine
I received these tips in an email, some are similar to those above, but some are different. Enjoy! LK
1. Set your intention- Bring yourself to a quiet place
perhaps through meditation. Ask your unconscious for help
with dream answers before you go to sleep.
2. Positive affirmations- Everyone dreams, an
affirmation such as "I am remembering my dreams" can help
you remember your dreams.
3. Keep a dream journal- Record your dream in written
form, pictures or drawings can also be a part of your
journal.
4. Keep a pad and pen at your bedside along with a
bedside lamp or a flashlight. Write down your feelings,
emotions, and a description of your dream before your feet
hit the floor. This will aid you in reviewing the dream when
you fully awaken.
5. Relax- let the feelings and descriptions come to you
naturally. Be kind, loving, and nourishing to yourself. The
path of awakening is much more important than the goal.
6. If you are still having difficulty remembering or
understanding your dream repeat the process when you next go
to sleep. Ask your unconscious for clarification of the
message.
