DreamING PRACTICE and the “how to” of intentional dreaming

Intentional dreaming, like anything, grows deeper with practice. The following is a list of suggestions to aid in fortifying your dream body:

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  • DEEP SLEEP:
    Adequate sleep is paramount to building your relationship with your dreams. Interrupted sleep patterns can decrease ability to recall dreams and in some cases lead to the cessation of dream recall altogether.
    The following is a list to help you get better sleep:

    • No big meals within 2 hours of sleep

    • Abhyanga: Indian oil massage before bed: (Click here to learn more)

    • Eliminating caffeine

    • No screen time at least 1 hour before bed (this includes phones, computers and tvs). Turning off the wifi in your home can also be helpful

    • Supplements such as magnesium and vit D and herbs such as passion flower, skullcap, chamomile and catnip can aid in sleep. (Ask your doctor if these are appropriate for you and if so, in what dosage. )

    • Acupuncture

  • PREPARING YOUR SLEEP SPACE:
    The environment in which you dream can impact and inspire your dreamworld. Here are some tips for setting up a space conducive to intentional dreaming:

    • Declutter your space. A clear space can lead to a clear mind and therefore a clearer dream world. Under-bed storage can be disruptive to the dream body.

    • Set a dream altar: A dream altar can take many different forms. You can create your altar by setting up a small table, a shelf or even a painting in your room near where you sleep. Include things on your altar that you associate with your dreamworld or your dreaming allies to honor the connection. Take a moment to interact with it each night before you rest.

    • Surround yourself with things that you consider “dreamy”. Think about color, texture, shapes as you chose your decor and bedding.

  • THE PRACTICE OF DREAMING, SETTING INTENTIONS & RECALL:
    Here are a few practical pointers on how to set yourself up to dream and to better recall your dreams:

    • Get or make yourself a dream journal. This should be separate from other journals you might have.

    • As you first get into bed, write your intention for dreaming in your dream journal and set it somewhere that you can reach it easily, even in the middle of the night.

    • As you first lay down, take some deep breaths and take time to connect with your physical body, being sure you are comfortable and relaxed.

    • Begin to recall your day in reverse from where you find yourself in bed, to just before, all the way to the morning when you woke that day. This encourages the mind to be in a state of vision and recall.

    • Use your breath, will and imagination to journey or visualize your way into an unordinary landscape such as a dreaming cave, the inside of a beehive, a night garden or whatever comes to you as a jumping off point for dreaming.

    • Set your intention once you’ve gone through the steps above. Repeat this intention as you drift into sleep.

    • When you wake, stay perfectly still. Let the eyes remain closed and the body in as relaxed a state as possible as you recall your dreams. Sometimes remembering dreams in reverse can help.

    • Only once you’ve remembered your dream in entirety, allow your eyes to gently open to half light and with as little movement as possible, reach for your journal to write your dreams down.

    • Often times important dreams come before daybreak. Even if this is in the middle of the night, try to at least write bullet points to recall in the morning. A small gentle light or a light up pen can help with this process. It is not recommended to turn on bright lights in the night as it will disrupt the rest of your night’s sleep.

    • Even if you don’t think you remember your dreams, be sure to practice writing the first feeling you had when waking up, a song you might have in your head, a sensation in your body. It’s all relevant and will help to open the doorway to better dream recall.

    • If you have a significant dream, sit with it at your altar for a while and see if more insight wants to come in meditative state.

  • DREAM BOOSTERS: If you have some serious dreaming to do, these things can help amplify your dreaming abilities. Please take your measure with these as too much exploration into the world of dreams can leave you less grounded and exhausted if you’re not properly prepared for the adventure!

    • Dreaming herbs such as Mugwort can increase the intensity of your dreams. This is not recommended for nursing or pregnant women. Please ask your doctor or trusted herbalist before taking herbs.

    • Waking at night can help you catch your deeper dreams. You can either set an intention to wake at night, or drink water before bed or even set yourself an alarm to interrupt your sleep about 4-6 hours in.

  • DREAMING WITH COMMUNITY: When we dream together, our dreams can become more fully woven into waking reality and therefore strengthened in the world of dreams.

    • Find a trusted friend to dream and reflect with.

    • Join in a dreaming circle and take on the practice of dream recall and reflection on a regular basis.

    • Set shared intentions with your dreaming friend or group. Set the intention to dream for someone or something to begin to observe the shared landscape of dream.