Observing Life
There are many
ways to induce and have better memory of dreams, many of which are simple.
These are the methods that I recommend first and foremost. It is better
to start off learning how to work with what you have before introducing
an herb, vitamin, or medication. The power lies within you to unleash
the ability to remember your dreams and have more quality REM sleep
if you desire it enough.
Desire is the most
important element when trying to do this. If you want to start remembering
your dreams you will need to make it somewhat of a priority. This can
mean observing habits such as sleep, alcohol consumption, your evening
eating patterns, exercise routines and other activities. Sometimes just
watching these things can cause a dream to be recalled easier. The dream
may even tell you something about those habits and activities, helping
shed light on what needs to change if anything. This gives you more
windows to the dream world. By no means is it a must that you do this,
but these are some of the basics that can affect sleep cycles and how
well you will recall the dreams.
Sleep
If you want to
remember your dreams or have more dreams then an important thing to
look at is sleep. If you are getting very little sleep, the small amount
of dreams you are having may very well be telling you that you need
more sleep to begin with, or you are missing the messages because you
are too tired to decode them properly. There are many reasons why people
have trouble getting enough sleep. If it is something that you have
tried working with and cannot find a way to solve it, then see a sleep
specialist or other health professional. Letting something like that
go on for too long a time can take it's toll on a person.
When you sleep,
very important work is done other than dreams. It is like having a bunch
of committee members in you body and mind. When sleep is decreased over
a period of time, not all of the members get to speak. This can cause
an imbalance and frustration among members. Some will speak more loudly
than others will and some will speak just way too much. This can cause
further confusion when the mind is trying to interpret the dreaming
process. So the result can end up being that it is easier to just not
remember the dreams. Be sure to let all your committee members speak
by giving yourself the time that you need for the proper amount of sleep
so that the dream memories will be there waiting for you when you wake
up.
Heavens
The Moon
has a strange effect on our dreaming process. This is perhaps true with
all animals. When the moon is full, some will remember dreams more even
though the sleep is usually a little less. This is sort of like a "pulling"
the dreams out process. Everyone has a different natural dreaming cycle.
Some dream more during a new moon, some dream heavy during the waxing
phase and some during the waning phase. Simply become aware of what
phase the moon is in and how you dream in relation to that phase. It
will be helpful to record these patterns in your dream journal.
The Stars
can be other helpful tools when beginning your new dream practices.
This works best when the moon is at or close to the new moon phase.
Try looking at the blank space in the sky between the stars. Do not
look directly at a star itself, only gaze in the black spaces. This
gives the mind a "searching" type of task and a powerful dream
will come to you by doing this.
The Sun
has a powerful relationship with the sleep cycles. This has to do with
the pineal gland secreting various levels of melatonin in relation and
response to the sunlight. There are many studies being done on melatonin,
sleep and REM phase. If you nap, pay particular attention to this and
the level of light in your room.
Watching
Birds in flight can bring us dreams. The birds set an excellent
example that can lead to dream incubation. When you see a bird or birds
in flight, imagine what it would be like to be that bird. Tell yourself
you will have a dream in which you are that bird. This can induce some
very fun lucid dreams and bring you to many exciting places. The idea
is to project your consciousness and at the same time give mind a suggestion.
Changes
When changes happen
in your life or in your daily schedule this helps bring a dream or dream
memory. When the daily routine is shuffled around, the mind works at
finding solutions to the change so that things are done more efficiently.
Learning your dreams can be a wonderful way to discover how to make
life easier during a time of change.
Something
you did not pay attention to
This one is kind
of enigmatic because if you remember what you do not pay attention to,
you will probably not dream about it. If you had a busy day and there
were things that were missed, there is a chance they will show up in
a dream that night in a strange form.
Foods
Foods containing
Vitamin B6 can be very helpful in dream recall. Many foods such as poultry,
fish, eggs, soy, beans and nuts have high levels of this nutrient. Vitamin
B6 produces neurotransmitters; serotonin is one of these. Lack of this
neurotransmitter can cause all kinds of problems. Keeping a diet that
allows your body to manufacture plenty of what it needs is just common
sense. Become aware of when these foods are consumed and make note of
it. Some of these foods are higher in fat than others. Eating food that
is higher in fat content before bed can cause wakefulness that can interfere
with the ability to recall dreams. Changing a diet drastically in the
hope that you will dream more is not necessarily the way to go. Just
becoming aware in many cases is all it takes and the dream memories
will be opened.
Herbs
There are many
herbs that enhance dream and dream recall such as Calea Zacatechichi
, mugwort, valerian, hops, chamomile, and even mint. Even though the
herbs are legal, natural and can seem safe, many are not regulated or
well studied. I would strongly recommend you do extensive research on
these things before introducing anything new into your life. I am not
making a case for or against any of these plants. I am bringing the
larger picture to your attention encouraging a look at both sides. Many
of these are worth mentioning and with the same value mentioning the
need to be cautious.
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