How do you remember your dreams?

Submitted by Michael C. Willis on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 11:28
Michael C. Willis's picture

Hi,

Sometimes I have some pretty incredible dreams. Sometimes they're even what I would call "lucid dreams". My problem is, I don't remember them as often as I would like. At times I can remember small fragments but the big picture gets lost by the time I'm fully awake. I know my meditation practice helps, but I'm not "where I want to be" when it comes to my dream recall abilities. 

Question: who out there has some tips and tricks they use in order to remember their dreams? 

Glossary Terms: 
dreams
lucid dreaming
Edgar Reyes's picture

Edgar Reyes

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:35

Hi Michael,

I sometimes use the "recapitulation" method I learned a while back.  It's very simple.  Every night before you fall asleep, just go over your day from the morning all the way to the time you got in bed... all within 5 minutes.  If you keep this up for a while, you'll see that your memory of your days gets better.... but also... the memory of your nights :)

Good luck!

Rosie

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 05:38

Hi, This is a great forum. I have a question too. I usually remember the dreams I have just before I wake up in the morning.

Questions: Are there ways to remember the dreams that might be "deeper", or which someone said come in an REM stage of the sleep?

Michael C. Willis's picture

Michael C. Willis

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 20:30

Hi Susan,

The recapitulation method that Edgar mentioned above is great for upping your recall game. And I have found that if I write down my dreams upon awakening, it seems to help with staying connected to the subtle world. It's like I'm bringing it with me into the physical world so as to sort of knit them together in my consciousness.  :)

Tara Waters's picture

Tara Waters

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 14:13

Hello! I recall my dreams, I wake up during the night quite a few times and always recall what I was dreaming about. I am working on being able to realize while in the dream state that I am dreaming. I do this by telling myself nightly that I am conscious while in the subtle realm while awaiting sleep to come. I have been able to know that I was dreaming several times that I can recall. I have also awakened and gone back to sleep and reentered the same dream, over and over after awakening by a snooze alarm.

Michael C. Willis's picture

Michael C. Willis

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 20:34

Hi Tara!

I do the same thing before drifting off to sleep - I tell myself that I will be fully conscious, aware, and be able to act with full volition and choice when I find myself in the subtle world. Or if I know I'm dreaming, I'll tell myself, "I have full clarity!"

Tara Waters's picture

Tara Waters

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 14:14

p.s. I have been able to recall my dreams since childhood.

Mashinka's picture

Mashinka

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 16:24

The intensity of my dreams is linked to the intensity of my meditations. The difference goes from remembering clearly upon waking up and having no trouble writing the dreams to having a vague memory and to knowing I've had a dream but the memory is so fuzzy that I cannot write anything down.

Hidden Ray

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 18:47

Hi,

i have very vivid dreams sometimes I remember up to 5-6 dreams when I wake up. I have always wonder why some people remember the dreams and others dont. 

Michael C. Willis's picture

Michael C. Willis

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 20:46

Hi Hidden Ray,

I believe the reasons why some people remember their dreams and others don't vary quite a bit. Everything from drug and alcohol use to stress to inner beliefs/mindset, all have an affect. But the thing is, it's within reach of everyone who wants a richer life in the subtle world. 

It sounds like you have a good thing going. Do you meditate?