When you dream at night, you are given a valuable opportunity to get in touch with your spirit and divine wisdom. This happens because the ego releases much of the hold it can exercise during your waking hours, which allows your consciousness to open more fully. During the dream state it’s possible to receive helpful insights, higher knowledge that you can apply to your life or, some people believe, information on past lives. One of the best ways to understand and remember the messages of dreams is by keeping a dream journal.
Getting Started
To keep a dream journal, the first thing you need to do is find a notebook or blank journal in which to write about your dreams. Keep your journal and a pen next to your bed, easily within arms reach. It’s best to keep it close by because dreams tend to fade quickly from memory once we awaken. You can also keep a book light or small flashlight next to your journal. This way, if you awaken during the night, you can see what you’re writing without having to turn on a bright light and becoming too wide awake.
How to write in your Dream Journal
It’s a good idea to write the date on each of your dream journal entries. This way you can keep track of your dreams and notice any recurring themes more easily.
Take a moment to get the feel of any dreams you had, before writing about them in your journal. This means thinking about the sensations, feelings, sounds, colors, objects and emotions that occurred in the dream. Do this before you get out of bed and start thinking about your day, because moving and thinking about other things can possibly overwrite the memories of your dream.
Write your dream entry in the first person, as this will help the dream remain more vivid in your mind. Some people also find that describing the dream aloud helps to stir up recollections. So it may help to describe your dream, or parts of your dream, to yourself or someone else before you write.
Write down all you can remember about your dream without stopping to analyze it. Don’t worry about spelling words correctly or using perfect grammar, just let the words flow. Be sure to write down everything you can think of, no matter how unimportant it may seem.
Once you’ve written out your dream, look for any themes, such as animals, objects, emotions or the location of your dream. Identifying the theme in your dreams will help you better understand its meaning or the messages being conveyed.
Write a short note about any issues that are occurring in your life at the time of your dream. This will help you better understand any messages or information your dreams are sending you in connection with these life issues.
Make it a habit to write in your dream journal on a regular basis. This helps you have better dream recall as well as developing a deeper understanding of your dreams.
Further Reading:
How to Remember your Dreams
