Dream Recall
It is no wonder that dreams are so hard to recall because the memory function of the brain is shut down during sleep. Often it is only possible to remember the dream right upon awakening rather than being able to recall it during the day. It is a fleeting memory. That is why it is so important to write dreams down if you plan on becoming serious about exploring and understanding your dream world. I have also found that recording dreams on a voice recorder is quite effective and allows one to go back to sleep fairly uninterrupted. The act of writing and using the hands wakes one up so much that it is hard to go back to sleep for some people. When I listen to the recorder the next day, I have found that I hear recorded dreams that I didn’t even remember upon awakening. They were recorded sometime during the night. This method produces anywhere between 3 and 7 detailed dream recordings per night.
Strephon Kaplan-Williams says in his book Dream Working (1991), “We do not forget what we most want to remember… A developed memory is the mark of a conscious being. Those who lack passion are great forgetters.” This may be true on some levels but I do not believe it’s a general rule across the board for everyone. Some people are naturally gifted at remembering dreams and others have to work at this skill. It may have more to do with biochemistry than anything else, but it is possible to have mind over matter by using intention.
Dream recall has much to do with intention, for it is most difficult to have good recall unless the mindset to do so has been created. Many have used affirmations, visualization, and intention techniques successfully. The following are some pointers to assist you in better dream recall:
Deterrents To Dream Recall
Blocking out dreams because of fear
Getting out of bed to quickly
Waking up during non-REM sleep
Medication
Alcohol and drugs
Practical Advice For Dream Recall
Upon going to sleep, clear your head by briefly reviewing your daytime activities, and this will keep
you from doing this in dreams, therefore letting you get to deeper dream content sooner.
Write down anything and everything even fragments of dream. Write something down every morning,
even if it seems unimportant. This helps create habit and intention.
Don't wake up with music or alarms, for this will distract you upon awakening.
Upon awakening don't think of the day's activities and don't get out of bed.
Write quickly before trying to organize the whole dream in your head, don’t analyze, just start writing.
Recording your dream on a tape recorder is even easier and can be done in the dark when you wake up from dreams in the middle of the night.
Create affirmations for yourself in order to program the conscious mind to remember dreams. For
instance: I am a talented oneironaut and I remember my dreams easily.