Diana Rosen - How to Keep a Dream Journal

Diana Rosen

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Copyright 2002 by Storey Publishing, LLC

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What are dreams? Everyone has a theater in their subconscious in which various comedies and dramas are performed nightly written by, directed by, and starring YOU. This theater of the mind is the process of dreaming. But what exactly are dreams?

Dreams are natures way of allowing us to act out our fantasies, terrors, and pleasures and to rerun the events of the day in our subconscious. They are stories with a definitive location, protagonists and antagonists, and a supporting cast of characters. The plot thickens with complications, tension, and conflict that are emphasized by action and dialogue, and then some major change or resolution occurs and the story ends usually when you awaken.

[T]he adventurous voyage that takes place every evening

Charles Baudelaire (18211867),
French poet, Les Paradis Artificiels

Dreams can be scary, exciting, funny, wacky, serious everything that waking life is and more so. We make puns and jokes in our dreams, and we dream in literal and symbolic terms. Dreams provide a way for us to do and say what we cannot always do and say in our waking lives; they are a safe haven in which we can act out our fears and relive our terrors until we can allow them to enter the conscious mind. Above all, dreams are all about YOU the dreamer.

Interpreting your dreams can help you examine the messages they convey. A dream journal is your private ledger that you can use to write about your dreams, to illustrate them with images and drawings, and to refer back to when youre looking for threads to connect one dream to another. Think of your dream journal as a detailed map to the ultimate destination: understanding of your deepest self. What a journey you will have!

Your vision will become clear
only when you can look
into your own heart.
Who looks outside, dreams;
who looks inside, awakes.

Carl Gustav Jung (18751961),
Swiss psychologist, in a letter to a patient

When Dreams Make You Uncomfortable

In times of trauma or deep grief, dreams can be the kindest of guides. If you continually have nightmares and cannot divine what they mean, do not hesitate to ask for help in interpreting them. Talk to a friend, seek a therapist, or ask a member of the clergy to help you. Figuring out why certain dreams scare you is very important for both a comfortable dream life and a productive waking life. Remember, you are the playwright, director, and star of your dreams. You have the power to change the storyline and write an ending the way you want it to be, so tell your Inner Dream Guide that you are in control of this script!

Into her dream he melted, as the rose
Blendeth its odor with the violet
Solution sweet.

John Keats (17951821), British poet,
The Eve of St. Agnes

The best way to ensure that you will dream is to get a good nights rest. As often as possible, go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. If you have trouble sleeping, drink a cup of warm milk or herbal tea made with chamomile or valerian root, or eat some cereal or a piece of toast about an hour before bedtime. Avoid heavy late-night meals, alcohol, smoking, and drugs; they adversely affect the dream state. Here are some other ways to ensure a peaceful nights rest.

Keep your bedroom clear of clutter, noise, and negative ions from too many electrical items (such as computers, office equipment, televisions, and digital equipment with blinking lights).

Close blinds or drapes if you are sensitive to light.

Scented Sleep

Aromatherapy, especially with the scents of lavender, lilac, and chamomile, can help induce sleep. Light a small scented candle or incense while you prepare for bedtime, or place a scented dream pillow beneath your regular bed pillow. As your head moves during the night, it will release the lovely scent of the dream pillow and help you dream more deeply.

If possible, sleep on fresh cotton or linen sheets with enough blankets to keep you warm but not overheated.

Keep the room temperature cool but not cold. If the season permits, open the window slightly for some fresh air.

Wind down with a warm bath; listen to relaxing music; or read calming material, such as poetry, scriptures, or 9 even your journal. If you like to draw your dreams, leave a few colored pencils or charcoal sticks plus pens or pencils beside your journal. If you have a beloved blanket or stuffed animal, sleep with it when you most want to have helpful, comforting dreams.

As you lie down in bed, tell your subconscious to dream about something in particular. Say, I want to dream about . Or repeat certain words to trigger dreams. Follow this by repeating, I will dream tonight, and when I awaken, I will remember the dreams and write them down.

Imagine the feel of the paper in your journal; feel your pen in your hand, writing along the pages. As you drift off to sleep, imagine you are walking down a beloved path at the beach, on a mountain trail, or even in your favorite mall. Note the details of the path. Tell yourself, I am 10 how to keep a dream journal ready for my dreams, I am ready for my dreams With practice, you will be able to go to sleep quickly and easily and remember your dreams quite often without having to talk yourself into a dream state.