"Dreams are a sacred gift presented to us in the midst of our sleeping consciousness. Remember your dreams. Honor your dreams. Learn from your dreams."
~ Norman Bradford, Author

Techniques for Recalling Dreams
By Laura V. Hyde

Have you ever said or heard someone say, "I never remember my dreams and I don't know why?" Except for cases where medication, serious illness, drugs or alcohol are nvolved, MOST people don't remember their dreams because they're afraid of what their dreams are saying. Therefore, if you are afraid to hear the message of your dreams, you will unconsciously prevent yourself from remembering them.

If you are unable to remember your dreams, or only able to remember "wisps" of your nightly dreams, first and foremost, it requires a willingness on your part to remember them. Why? Because our minds are so powerful that if we don't want to experience what our dreams are telling us, we block them. And the obvious way to block them is to simply not remember them.

So, if you really want to recall your dreams and use them as a powerful tool for healing, awakening and growth, practice these techniques:

#1 Technique for Recalling Dreams
Set your intention to remember your dreams before falling asleep. Tell your higher self that you are willing to remember your dreams, even if it's only a small "snippet" at first.

#2 Technique for Recalling Dreams
Keep a notebook (or a tape recorder) near your bed. The more you record your dreams, the more dream recall you will experience. The other important reason for recording your dreams is that you will have clearer recall upon awakening. The longer you wait to write it down, the more clarity of the dream you will lose - including feelings while having the dream. Practice recalling your dreams by writing them down, even the smallest pieces, and notice how many you remember over the next couple of weeks. At this point, it's more important that you are able to retrieve scenes from your dreams then it is to understand what they mean.

#3 Technique for Recalling Dreams
Ask your Higher Self for guidance in remembering and learning from your dreams. Allow any issues you are working on, or answers you are seeking, to come into your awareness as you fall asleep. Form a question and keep asking it, over and over, as you fall asleep. When asking for a solution to a problem, keep the question simple - one question at a time works best. Your dreams can provide answers to every situation. Assume you will receive the answer in that night's dream(s).

#4 Technique for Recalling Dreams
Immediately upon awaking, keep your attention focused on any dreams you have had during the night, and/or on the most recent dream. Assume the answer to your question asked prior to sleep was provided. Do not allow your mind to drift forward toward the day’s events! This will inhibit your ability to remember your dreams.

#5 Technique for Recalling Dreams
Record your dreams as soon as possible, even if it’s during the night. Try not to turn on any bright lights or anything that makes noise. Doing so will often bring you out of a state of dream awareness and cause you to lose the dream completely. Record even the smallest bits and pieces of your dream. Often, they will be the catalysts for remembering the rest of it later in the day.

#6 Technique for Recalling Dreams
Focus on dream symbols and feelings while recording your dream. Recall the feelings you had during the dream and upon awakening, but be careful not to judge your dream. Remember that most dreams are metaphoric, not literal. People tend to think the worst about their dreams, which blocks their ability to understand them. Dreams are given to us to help us.

#7 Technique for Recalling Dreams
Make a commitment to remember your dreams and learn your own "dream language" for several months. As you do so, your dreams will become easier to remember and understand.