By Lady Leena

Your dreams are "written" in your own private vocabulary; that's why their meaning is often unclear (and why dream books you buy at the corner newsstand won't explain your own visions). Moreover, the language of dreams is sensory and visual, whereas the language of daily life is verbal. You need to translate a dream much as you would a foreign language.

Unfortunately, the same force s that make us disguise problems in our dreams are likely to hinder our recognizing them when we're awake. Even Freud had trouble with self-analysis. So an impartial listener - attained therapist - can help. "It's a collaborative process," says New York psychoanalyst Walter Bonime, author of the classic text, THE CLINICAL USE OF DREAMS (Da Capo Press, $29.50)

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't explore your dreams alone or with a partner. People who keep dream journals say that over time, patterns often emerge. To put your dreams to work solving problems, try this routine:

Program yourself to wake up after every REM period. I did it while writing this article simply by telling myselfI wanted to at bedtime.

But don't make it a regular habit. "The ability to maintain consciousness during sleep can backfire," says Dr. Neil Kavey, director of the Columbia-Presbyterian sleep lab. "If you can't shut it off, you may have trouble remaining asleep, or you may sleep so poorly that you feel you didn't sleep at all."

Put a notebook and pen or tape recorder at your bedside.

At bedtime, select a problem and sum it up with a question, such as "Should I take this new job?" Write it down and list possible solutions.

Turn off the lights and reflect on these solutions. Stick with it until you drift off to sleep.

When you wake up - during the night or in the morning - lie still. To jog your memory, pretend you're a detective interviewing an eyewitness. What's the last thing you remember? Before that? Going backward can help you more easily reconstruct a dream.

Write down or tape record all that you remember. Do it before you shower and have breakfast.

If you have trouble catching dreams, try sleeping late on weekends The longest dreams occur in the last part of sleep and many of us cut sleep short on week nights.

Once you've recorded your dream, how do you decode it? Tell it to yourself in the third person, suggest psychologist Lillie Weiss in DREAM ANALYSIS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY (Pergamon Press, $11.95). This may give you some distance from the dream and help you see the actions more clearly. Then look at the part of the dream that is the most mysterious. "Frequently the most incongruous part provides the dream message," Weiss says.

In her dream-therapy study, Cartwright asks participants to examine and try to change repetitive, troublesome dreams along seven dimensions:

Time orientation. Do all your dreams take place in the past? Try positioning them in the present or future.

Competence to affect the outcome. Tryfinding a positive way to resolve a dream.

Self-blame. In your dreams, do you hold yourself responsible when things go wrong? Must you?

Relation to former role: If your divorced, do you still dream of yourself as married? If you have lost your job, do you still see yourself at work? Consider alternatives.

Motivation. Do you dream of being nurtured? Can you think of a way to take care of yourself?

Mood. What would make a dream more pleasant?

Dream roles: Do you like the part you play in your dreams? What role would you prefer?

. This following is an excerpt from "Psi Notes", prepared by William Braud, Ph.D., of the Mind Science Foundation in San Antonio, Texas.

Question: What percentage of a person's dreams are precognitive (foretell the future) and how can we recognize the difference between a precognitive dream and an ordinary dream?

Answer: A large proportion of precognitive experiences occur during dreams. One survey indicates that as many as 65 percent of precognitive experiences occurred during sleep. Precognitive dreams also seem to provide more complete and more accurate information than do waking psychic experiences.

. There's no way to know with certainty what percentage of our dreams are precognitive. The content of the majority of our dreams is probably quite mundane, involving replays of experiences of the day, perhaps some wish fulfillment, and maybe even "random" content. But now and then, dreamers do have accurate glimpses of the future as they sleep.

The only way to know with certainty which dreams are precognitive and which are not is to keep a dream diary of all dreams and check to see which come true and which don't. Some persons are able to associate certain feelings of confidence in connection with psychic dreams - but these are very subtle feelings which are difficult to put into words and which may differ from person to person.

Let me describe a program of research in which we are more certain about what's going on. This research program was initiated by a New York psychiatrist, Dr. Montague Ullman, as a result of his observation that he and his patients were sharing telepathic dreams in the context of psychotherapy. A dream laboratory was set up at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. Ullman, along with his associates Stanley Krippner and Charles Honorton, designed experiments in which persons spent the night in the dream lab. They were monitored electro-physiologically in order to detect physiological indications of dreaming - these indications include: an activated EEG, rapid eye movements, and reduced muscle tension. When these indications of dreaming occurred, the sleeper was awakened and asked to describe his dream. These descriptions were tape-recorded and later transcribed.

The next day, a target experience was randomly selected and the subject then went through some waking sensory experience. What was discovered was that the sleeper was able to have accurate dreams about events of which no one was as yet aware at the time of the dream, but which were randomly selected the next day.

Late at night, the world sleeps. Everything is heavy with silence; even the trees and the mountains seem deep in slumber. A million miles away, they dance amongst the stars, journey into unknown galaxies, experience the mystical, the chaotic, the surreal. Those people limited by boundaries when the sun is up -- handicaps, prejudice, fear, reputation -- are limitless when night falls. The moment your head falls on your pillow you are standing at the edge of a sea of possibilities.
Yes, I know for a fact that dreams are important.
People have always been amazed and fascinated by the world of dreaming. Since the 1800s there have been records of unusual practices involving dreams. These include conjuring up spirits, traveling to other dimensions, and seeing your soulmate... all within a simple dream. It's unfortunate that in today's society that which is unusual and unexplained is not acceptable. But there is no reason to let social hang-ups hinder your quest to understand and lucidly explore your dreams. You are only a bed, a blanket, and a pillow away from anywhere in the universe.
There will be mornings when I awake with the memory of a dream that had in every respect the authenticity of reality. People in my dreams whom I have never seen in my waking world will linger in my memory. Perhaps you, too, have awoken from a dream that impacted you so much it seemed real -- so much it remains etched in your mind to this day. The transformation of a thought from imagination to memory alone is an astounding occurence.
Dreams are one of the few paranormal phenomena which scientists can't explain, but can't deny, either. Granted, they can tell you a bunch of things about brain waves and sleep patterns and REM. But these words cannot explain how a sleeping mind can create whole new environment, double-ended conversations, nonexistant human beings with physical apprearances and complex personalities, memories of things that never happened, storylines... all as you are going along. Even the most simple mind will have these intricate dreams. But you are not just thinking these things up, you are then animating them and becoming a part of the scenario. What's this hype about "virtual reality"? You have it right at your hands, built in, waiting to be used!
It's difficult to prove the value of dreams to someone who hasn't experienced it yet. But I can promise you that you will benefit from listening to them. I would never have believed it until it happened to me. Your dreams can reveal things about you, things about your past... and things about your future. Once you find your dreams portaying scenes from tomorrow instead of yesterday it certainly "opens your eyes"!
A dream is the mind's escape. Suddenly you aren't thinking about taxes, bad grades, sick relatives, obnoxious neighbors. Between the time you go to sleep and the time you awake, you are a totally different person in an alternate reality where the only conflicts that exist are the ones your mind wants to create.
Give yourself the chance to understand your dreams. You will be amazed at how much you never knew about the world around you... and more importantly, about yourself. The only reason left for you to not open the door to your dream-mind would be that you are afraid of what you'll find behind it.

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Dream Journal Outline
The following list was gathered from various sources. These are questions to ask yourself, basically an outline for entries in a dream journal. It's likely that not every question will apply to all dreams.
How am I, the dream ego, acting in this dream?
(Aggressive, assertive, passive, active, etc...)
What are the various feelings/emotions in the dream?
(Both "mine" and those of other characters...)
What is the context of the dream?
(What is going on in my life right now?)
In the dream, who are the main characters?
Who (or what) is the adversary?
Who (or what) is being wounded?
Who (or what) is being healed?
Who (or what) is my companion?
Did I dream of actual people, or imaginary people?
Could the characters all be different aspects of myself?
What are the outstanding features or symbols in the dream? (For example: flood, animals, house, etc.)
How might these features relate to me, my emotions, or my personality?
How does the dream as a whole relate to my personality?
What are the main actions in the dream?
What would I like to avoid in the dream?
What actions might it be suggesting that I consider?
Does the dream trigger any memories?
Do any of the elements of the dream relate to my past?
Why might this part of my past be called to my attention now?
Does the dream trigger any further questions?
Why did I need this dream?
What is its positive message for me?
Was the dream more physical, or emotional?

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A 3-Step Process For Remembering Your Dreams

by Asoka Selvarajah, Ph.D

Dreams are a powerful tool in developing deep insight about yourself and your life purpose. They are a priceless source of inspiration and creativity, as witnessed by geniuses spanning the entire range between Einstein and Salvador Dali; both of whom worked with dream and fantasy in their work.
In sleep, your spirit is unbound and you touch the subtle realms beyond waking reality. This is the place where the highest part of your consciousness, your Higher Self, can communicate directly to you. The language of this communication is the language of symbol and metaphor.
Everyone dreams, but not everyone remembers their dreams. The following simple 3-step process will enable you to work with your dreams to gain deeper insights into your psyche:
(1) Make a written declaration before you sleep.
Say, or better still, write down a statement such as "I want to remember my dreams in order to receive valuable guidance". If you are already able to remember and capture your dreams, modify this question to "Which direction should I go in life?" or "Should I take that job?" or whatever.
Put the declaration under your pillow before you go to sleep.
(2) Perform stretching exercises before you get into bed.
If you can touch your toes, then do so. At any rate, gently stretch your body so that it is relaxed and flexible. Once you are in bed and ready to sleep, you can also relax your body further. Tense and release each of your muscle groups in turn, beginning with your legs, and gradually working all the way up your body to your face. Take several deep breaths, and feel yourself relax more with each breath.
The fact is that much of our sleep time is spent de-stressing the body, which is why people often do not sleep that well. Much of this de-stressing can be done before you ever drop off.
(3) Write something down when you awake.
It is necessary to awaken gently. If you can use an alarm clock that plays GENTLE music, e.g. chimes, that would be best. Once you are awake, write something down about your dream, even if it is just a feeling.
Sometimes, if you cannot remember the dream straight away, simply lying there in your bed and pondering it will bring a fragment of the dream back. Write that piece down and often, the rest will return to you. If it does not, be content with what you have.
If you really cannot remember anything at all, then still write something down. Often, your physical, mental or emotional state upon awakening is a direct result, a hangover if you will, from the dream you have just experienced.
Be prepared for the need to persist with this process. It DOES work. Like any muscle that has been unused for years, your dream muscles may have atrophied through disuse. If you persist, the spiritual rewards and insights you gain will be very well worth it.
Copyright 2001, Asoka Selvarajah. All Rights Reserved. _
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Dr. Asoka Selvarajah is an active writer/researcher on personal development and esoteric spirituality. Asoka's work helps people achieve their full potential, deepen their understanding of mystical truth, and find joy in their true soul's purpose.
Subscribe to his FREE ezine, Aspire To Wisdom, and receive his brand new E-Book "Inner Light Outer Wealth" for FREE at: http://www.aksworld.com/AspireToWisdom.htm?ANGE You can visit his website at http://www.aksworld.com?ANGE

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Remembering Your Dreams

Dreaming is like opening a door to the rest of your mind. All your hopes, wishes, fears, friends, phobias, good times and bad are there. All the accumulated wisdom and insight of the species and culture is stored there for your exploration. It is the most ancient mind rather than the recently evolved logical mind.

While everyone dreams, some people find it hard to remember their dreams. This dream information page will help you improve your memory for your dreams. Think of it as exercise. If you exercise your dreaming mind, your recall, access and right-of-control will increase. Pay attention. Remember, dreaming is easy. You practice every night. The core idea is to pay attention to your dream mind and nurture it. While awake, think about your dreams. While going to sleep, focus on dreaming. But most important, upon waking, pay attention to your dream. That's the most important exercise.

You create your own ritual of morning dream remembering. Any one will work. Tailor fit it to your existing morning routine. You want to develop a set of activities that you perform every morning to help your dream memory. I use a notebook beside the bed. Other's like to get up and focus on a symbol on the wall. Other's stare at the ceiling and recite the dream into a tape recorder. Some prefer to talk it out with a regular morning companion who will share dreams at a morning coffee break. Still others go to the computer and write it down and e-mail it themselves.

Give your dreams a home. There is no tool quite like a dream notebook or journal. By giving dreams a home you build dream memory. If you'd don't have a garage for your dreams, where will they park? Any home will do, notebooks, art stock, sketch pads. The more permanent your dream home, the more fun you will have in the future looking back over your dreams and seeing how the stories fit into your life. I ritualized writing my dreams. Every morning I write before I do anything else. When I am in top "Olympic" dream form , I record five or six dreams a night. I store all the notebooks in an old sea chest that one of my ancestors brought from the old country.

Go to sleep thinking of dreams. As you are lying in bed on your way to sleep, think about dreams and about how you'll enjoy exploring them in the morning. Think of previous dream images you have liked. Avoid guilt trips or telling yourself you "should" dream. Oh, yes, the ritual of going to sleep is a rich place to invest in your dreams. The warm glass of milk or the special dozing posture can be a real boost for re-minding yourself to dream. I go to bed lying on my back with a stack of pillows under my knees. I don't go to sleep in that position, but easily enter a borderline state and hover there for a while before rolling over into a standard going-to-sleep-position. In the boarderline state you can allow your mind to wander. Allow it to create a dream. Let go. Stop giving directions.

Wake as gently as possible. The idea is to rise from dreaming when the dream is over, not when an outside alarm wakes you. When you wake, hold still for a few minutes and focus attention on what your mind has seen and heard during the preceding time. Keep your eyes closed for as long as you can. Dream memories are fragile, and seem stored in your body's position. The movements of your body disrupt your memory. Keeping your eyes closed, and your body still will help you focus attention on the dreaming mind. Moreover, it is fun to wake and not suddenly engage the outside world. Hover on the brink...Review the conents. Was there any special word or image that stood out. Review the images. Then open your eyes and write. Olympic dreamers learn how to write with their eyes closed, without moving or disturbing the position. Olympic Finalists wake in the dark as many times as the dreams come to an end, writes the whole thing down and resumes sleep for another adventure. If you must have an alarm, try using two alarm clocks; set one for the time you must wake and set the other 30 to 45 minutes earlier. You can wake to the first alarm, then doze and dream until the second tells you it is time to wake up.

What if I don't remember anything? If you don't recall a dream right away, relax and let your mind wander. If any image comes to mind, allow the image to lead you to other images, and follow the train of images. Often this will remind you of the dream that you left behind. Let your body remind you. Try your going-to-sleep position or the one you use to hover before going to sleep. It helps to be a little detached. If I get some dreams it is O.K. and if I don't that is O.K. too. It sometimes helps to rerun recent dreams from the last few days and see if one 'Pops" out of the background and suddenly you remember something from tonight's dream. Nurture any image you get and see what it leads to... Still nothing? That's OK, you get to dream again tonight!

Pay attention during the day. Something you see may remind you of the dream. It will pop and suddenly you'll remember something from last night's dream. You may also get a sudden rush of total recall. The more energy you apply to your dreams, the better the chance of improving your dream recall. Starting a notebook, or making a picture journal is one of the best ways to apply yourself to conscientious dream memory. Cultivating a home for your dreams is a ritual that reminds you of every successful contact, and gives you a permanent record of the stories. Later you will be able to look over the dream record, and see the way that the dream mind reflects on your life and your activities. The idea is to nurture the dream and deliver it to your conscious mind in full rich sensory awareness.

Share your dreams. The most potent dream exercise you can do during the day is to share your dreams with other's who will regard them with favor. Don't share with someone who makes fun of dreaming, rather share with other people who will support you and ask about your dreams. Every sharing helps.

Work on your dreams. The dreaming mind is quite delighted by attention paid to it. If you explore the content of the dreams and examine the symbols and metaphors, your dreaming mind will reward you with more material. It's a little like a puppy this way. While serious seekers do rigorous examination of each image, symbol and action. Everyone can do casual exploration just by rolling the images around in your mind.

Turn a dream into action. Tell people if they appear in your dreams. No matter how silly, just let them know and let a conversation develop. You may discover they have insights into your dream. Your dreaming mind will also be pleased to see that the information channel works.

Carry your signs symbols and images with you. Look for them in the world. Pay attention to your images as you encounter them in the real world. If you see a specific thing from a dream go to it and focus some attention on it. There's more than meets the eye. Bring the content of your dream into the world. That helps complete the information feedback loop between your day mind and your dream mind.

Dreams are free. Relax, if you don't have a dream every night, so what. Pay attention. Look for them. The dream mind has a remarkable ability to inform you about your self; to reflect on yourself, and show you a new view of you. It is a natural vehicle to enhance reflection, gain some distance from your concerns, and help you sort out the affairs of your life. It's also a blast.

Dreaming is fun, free and natural. No one gains weight from dream food. No one gets pregnant in a dream. So stretch out, enjoy the free movie. It is your personal dream theater. It will give you adventures, show you ideas and solutions to problems It will teach you and illuminate you. Look inside. These eyes give you insight.

(Author Unknown)

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