Meditation and Dream Recall

Submitted by Michael C. Willis on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 11:16
Michael C. Willis's picture

I have been meditating for a few years now. I try to get 3 meditations in per day. It doesn't always work out but I make an effort to do it 3 times a day. I have noticed that when my meditations get good (my concentration is steady and unwavering when I sit to meditate) then my dreams tend to get more vivid and I can remember more of them when I wake up. 

If my meditation practice is disrupted for any reason, I find the opposite to be true: I can't remember my dreams as often and they seem sort of foggy, like I'm on 'autopilot' or not as aware during my dreams. 

Anyone else notice the same thing? 

Glossary Terms: 
meditation
dreams
lucid dreaming
Tara Waters's picture

Tara Waters

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 14:18

I would agree that the more I am able to meditate the better the quality of my dreams and my recall.

Rosie

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 16:52

I haven't noticed a connection between my dreams and meditations, yet. Can you tell me if you're meditating right before going to sleep? Thx.

Michael C. Willis's picture

Michael C. Willis

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 20:19

Hi!

Although you can certainly meditate right before sleep, I don't think the proximity of your meditation to your bed time matters all that much. In fact, I find that if I wait until just before sleep, my energy sort of droops and it isn't the best. 

I think that a regular practice of 2 to 3 times a day is what matters most. We generate certain kinds of brain waves during meditation that have been scientifically proven to help us remember our dreams, and putting our consciousness there several times a day creates a sort of rhythm or habit that we can take with us into the subtle world. Maybe check out my blog here and take a peek at the linked article? 

Rosie

Sun, 04/22/2018 - 14:41

Hi, I looked at the blog and article you wrote about the brainwaves, and find it facinating that these can be actually measured while someone is asleep in the REM and non-REM states. I wonder if there is a brainwave monitor that has been used on people who are meditating, and whether or not it interferes with meditation.

Michael C. Willis's picture

Michael C. Willis

Sun, 04/22/2018 - 20:44

Hi Rosie, 

In a word, yes! Science Daily has some great articles about various kinds of research:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319210631.htm

and for a whole lot more,

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/meditation.htm

Mashinka's picture

Mashinka

Sun, 04/29/2018 - 18:11

I have also noticed that when I am able to quiet my mind during my meditations, my dreams are more vivid and I remember them clearly. I find the opposite to be true.