How to Recall Dreams
RECALL
METHOD:
THE BASICS OF DREAM RECALL
If
you don't know the right techniques it can be very frustrating trying to recall
dreams. Not only do most people never remember most dreams, the ones they remember
can easily slip away and evaporate. However, with a little guidance and effort,
you will soon remember more dreams than you know what to do with. The techniques
will be explained in detail later, first consider the basic steps that will
empower you to remember your dreams.
These simple recall methods will
be discussed in detail soon:
1 BE PREPARED: Before you
go to sleep make sure you have a pen and paper within easy reach by your bed.
When you awake, whether in the night or in the morning, jot something down.
Even writing "I don't remember anything this morning" will do, but
a more positive statement such as "I will remember my dream at the next
opportunity" is much better. The important thing is to establish a habit
of dream recall and to train yourself to remember your dreams. Your intention
to have a dream and make an effort to remember it in itself will help you to
recall dreams.
2 CONTEMPLATE YOUR DAY: When
you go to bed, relax your body and think about the day's events in reverse order.
This is a technique will teach you how to reflect and can itself be very relaxing.
It will also help you remember your dreams. For example, ask yourself questions
such as: "How did I get ready for bed?" "What was I doing just
before going to bed?" "What did I watch on TV this evening?"
"What was it like coming home from work?" "What did I do at work?"
The events of the day will start to unfold naturally and you may fell like you
are watching a videotape recording. Finally, you will reach the point where
you woke up in the morning. Can you go back just that little bit further and
remember what you were dreaming?
3 PROGRAM YOUR UNCONSCIOUS:
As you get close to falling asleep, repeat, "When I wake up, I will remember
my dream." The unconscious and the memory are influenced by repetition.
You may think you sound stupid but actually saying the words aloud reinforces
this inner command. Some authorities recommend that a physical "trigger"
along with the verbal suggestion often helps. Again, try pressing your thumb
against each finger as you say each word of the suggestion.
4 DON'T JUMP STRAIGHT OUT OF BED:
When you wake up in the morning, lie still. Relax your body and let your mind
drift. With practice, you can easily hover between waking and dreaming without
falling back to sleep. Remind yourself that you want to remember your dream.
You may prefer to keep your eyes closed or look at something bland such as the
sheets close you your face. Whatever you do, don't start running through lists
of what you have to do during the day. If you do, your dream will evaporate
immediately.
5 WRITE, WRITE… WRITE:
Most dreams are forgotten within 10 minutes so start scribbling as soon as you
remember the first snippet of a dream. Write down whatever you remember immediately
so you're not trying to remember that material while trying to recall new material.
Do it as it comes to you or you will forget what came a few seconds earlier.
Don't give yourself a chance to forget. If you prefer, review the parts of your
dream in your mind once or twice before recording them on paper. Work whichever
way best suits you, but act quickly.
6 TELL SOMEONE: It is surprising
how many extra details surface if you talk about your dream. Someone you can
trust may even be able to help you with the interpretation. In most tribal societies
it was a tradition to share your dreams with other members of the tribe.
HOW TO RECALL DREAMS
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