A good place to start is to review the dream in your mind from beginning to end as you're waking up, before you open your eyes. This will help you to remember it better.
Then - write your dreams down as soon as you wake up, when the details are still fresh. There is a lot more information being given to you during this time than at other times of the day. If you don't write down your dream, you're likely to forget it.
Think about what in the dream stands out or seems most important, such as items, symbols, people or events.
Consider what happens in the dream, but also how it happens. Not just who's in the dream, but where they are and what they're doing, and what stands out about them.
Pay attention to what your intuition says about why you had the dream.
Also, never be afraid of your dream. A scary dream/nightmare does not mean that something bad is going to happen, but usually just that you need to slow down and take a break, think of where you are and be true to yourself and your needs. After all, you created the dream, and so on some level you already know what it means.
I also found this really good article by Annie Wright which can be helpful.
How to tap into your inner wisdom on your own
After, or even before, you have recieved my interpretation and read it, try this process to tap into your inner wisdom:
Grab a pen and a paper. Sit down in a calm place. Ask yourself, "What more is this dream telling me?"
Then start writing and see what comes forward. Write down every little thing that comes to mind no matter how insignificant it might seem. Then re-read everything and see what strikes you as true. There can be a depth of information and emotions that you can access this way. If you just let yourself delve into the feelings and messages within, dreams are a great starting place for healing and insight.
Once you have your full idea of the dream meaning, follow your intuition. If you feel that there are actions that would be good for you to take, make sure they are a positive development both for you and the world around you.
Dream interpretation in ancient history
I came across this text by Professor J. Donald Hughes at the University of Denver. He writes about the history of dream interpretation from the earliest times. Here is an excerpt - but see link below if you want to dig into it - so fascinating!
“Dream interpretation was regarded by ancient peoples in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome as an art requiring intelligence and, sometimes, divine inspiration. It became a motif in literature.
It was treated as a science by philosophers and physicians. Dreams were thought to come either as clear messages, or as symbols requiring interpretation. In a method called incubation, the dreamer could sleep in a sacred place in expectation of a dream that would elucidate a problem for which the dreamer desired guidance.
Dream-books listing images and their meanings were popular. Historians reported leaders' famous dreams that affected the course of events. Very few ancient writers were skeptical of dreams; Cicero was one. Dream interpretation was an honored profession with exponents such as Artemidorus of Daldis. Ancient dream traditions and beliefs can provide perspective for consideration of more recent theories of dream interpretation.”
Excerpt from “A history of Dream Interpretation in Western Civilization from the earliest times through the middle ages” by J. Donald Hughes, Professor of History at University of Denver
Lucid Dreaming
Here are some links on how to practice lucid dreaming. It’s something anyone can get to by training.
I mean, who does not dream of being aware in a dream that it’s a “just” a dream you’re having? To be able to fully enjoy doing all the crazy wonderful things only a superhuman could do? Like flying, floating in the air, control things from afar… You name it. Or to be able to change the ending and influence where the dream is going.
But to start, you got to learn!
Start by reading this funny interview with dream expert Beverly D'Urso, a lucid dreamer since the age of 7 and author of “the superhuman mind”: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-superhuman-mind/201212/lucid-dreaming-and-self-realization
Then move on to studying some videos on the subject. Via Ryan Heard @dreamstudiesportal I found these inspiring TED talks on lucid dreaming - enjoy!
1. Thomas Peisel (12 minutes). First up, we have Thom Peisel at TEDxLowerEastSide in New York in late 2013. Peisel has an approachable style, a sense of adventure and an infectious optimism that makes for the perfect introduction into self-awareness in your dreams. He also co-wrote, along with Dylan Tuccillo and Jared Zeizel, Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming: Mastering the Art of Oneironautics — highly recommended as well.
2. Tim Post (14 min). Presenting at TEDxTwenteU in 2013, Tim Post brings his scientific mind to the topic of lucid dreaming, with a special focus on the neuroscience of memory. Tim shows how lucid dreaming is a serious topic that has promise to solve many scientific mysteries about consciousness and the creative mind. Tim, by the way, wrote a chapter in my edited scholarly collection on lucid dreaming about the state of lucid dreaming education.
3. Charlie Morley (9 min). At TedxSan Diego in 2011, Charlie Morley gives a short but rapturous presentation on the spiritual possibilities of lucid dreaming. His focus is the mindfulness of sleep and dreams, a holistic approach he has helped pioneer based on the integration of Tibetan Buddhism and western psychology. He also speaks so lovingly of the nightmare, one of my favorite topics. Charlie has written two books on lucid dreaming: first his brilliant take on lucid dreaming and mindfulness, and recently, a easy-to-digest beginner’s guide to the topic. Both are great reads.
Links to articles I like
These are some of the writings and information I get inspired by, and I update as I come across nice ones. I endorse these because I like them. They are not advertisements and I get no kickbacks.
- A brief history of dream research. How the discovery of REM sleep jump-started the science of dreaming. By Michelle Carr, Ph.D
- The coming revolution in dream research. By Patrick McNamara, PhD dream catcher