Thread: Getting Started {Inducing Dreams}

You'll have to forgive me if this topic has been covered previously - I did a search, but couldn't find much of a result.

So.
Before I can even begin to embark on the journey of lucid dreaming, I was wondering if anyone knows of methods to increase the frequency of just... dreaming. Period.

Okay, so, technically, since we dream every night by nature, allow me to rephrase my question: are there any methods or techniques one can use to increase the likeliness of remembering their dream[s]?

I was told + read that setting up a state of mind // telling yourself that you will remember your dream, before you even call it a night // seems to work... but I haven't had much luck with it.

I (literally) can't remember the last dream I had. It's been a long, long time. I'd like to just grasp the elementary foundations of remembering dreams before I begin to control them, you know? I've got to start somewhere...

For what it's worth, I generally go to bed when I'm tired - sometimes as late as 03 or 04 AM. I generally have one album playing at a low volume, and am usually asleep before it comes to an end. I sleep anywhere from 08-10 hours... perhaps I'm doing something wrong?

If anyone could shed some light on the basic principles of remembering dreams, I'd most appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.

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• well first off you should have a regular sleeping pattern if you don't already have one so you're not throwing off your biological clock, or circadian rhythm.
• you're on the right track with telling yourself to remember dreams, self-suggestion works for me. I just say "I will remember my dreams" over and over before I go to bed and after doing some relaxation techniques.
• when you wake up lay still in your bed with your eyes closed. This will allow you to focus on your mind instead of moving and putting emphasis on your body, and also opening your eyes can distract you as well because of the light. Just start trying to remember the major parts of your dreams and then details will come to you.
• you must start a dream journal, they help so much! When you wake up during the night, roll over to your journal and write down some key points of the dream you just had like a setting or action that stands out, that way when you wake up in the morning you'll remember it and hopefully be able to string more basic details from the key points. As you continue this your recall should increase, I hope these steps helped you out, they are the ones I follow

I think your point definitely clarified a few things.

The sleep pattern is probably the first step. Some days I have classes in the afternoon; some weekends require me to get up early for work, etc. It's all jumbled, and I often mix vary the times I call it a night. What's worse is that I rely, completely, on an alarm clock.

I have full intentions on starting the dream journal, for sure. That's probably the most frequent recommendation I've heard, in regards to Lucid Dreaming. I've alright got the notepad and pen by the nightstand... but it seems to me those only come in handy once you're dreaming.

Regardless. I think it's just a matter of establishing a set "time" to officially sleep, and perhaps giving these relaxation methods a more thorough look. Thanks for the start, Apfelpfankuchen.

no problem, if you're looking for some good relaxation techniques I suggest looking in the tutorials section in the archives and check out the '61 point relaxation technique' or take up meditation if you're interested

I have the same problem when it comes to my sleeping pattern because of classes. They are so jumbled and then I always set my alarm clock radio and my phone to go off at the same time, but everyday end up sleeping in an extra 20-30 mins It doesn't help that I usually don't fall asleep untill 1-2 AM haha

My advice is simply to stop trying so hard to remember. Especially as you're falling asleep. I have found that trying to influence my dreams beforehand or telling myself to remember is VERY disruptive for my dreams. BUT, I otherwise have no problems with recall so perhaps that's bad advice?
The BIGGEST thing that helps my recall is waking up slowly. Since you wake up to an alarm, perhaps you could try ignoring the alarm on weekends or when you have nothing planned? Don't jump out of bed, no matter how much you have to use the bathroom lol. Try to remember just one tiny portion of your dream. A lot of times, if you remember just one fragment a lot more will follow.
As for your schedule... everyone is different. As long as it's regular, it's probably okay for you. Most of my sleep problems come about because I'm forced to ignore my natural cycle. I'm certain I have Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. Since I was a teen, no matter how sleepy I am, I simply canNOT easily fall asleep until about 3AM (which is when I feel sleepy). And no matter how much sleep I get, I do not feel awake until at least 10AM. But when I had school and children to take care of, that schedule is very ?? inconvenient, so I often found myself sleeping every other day or every 3 days so I could be certain to take care of the necessary things of life.
Some people can easily reset their internal clock. I'm 34 years old and I've never been able to yet. Some people simply don't have a steriotypical "normal" internal clock. Find what works for YOU and stick with it. When I'm able to keep my schedule, I am very revitalized and wake up naturally by 10:30 on my own and my dream recall is unhindered.

Thank you both for the feedback.

Originally Posted by Zhaylin

My advice is simply to stop trying so hard to remember. Especially as you're falling asleep. I have found that trying to influence my dreams beforehand or telling myself to remember is VERY disruptive for my dreams.

Absolutely. I actually think this was the exact opposite of the problem. Normally I just go to sleep and think nothing of it, having thoughts of tomorrow dwell in my head before I enter slumber. Lastnight, though, I gave some of that "mantra" a go. I told myself that I was going to remember at least a few parts of my dream. Nothing more; nothing less.

I woke up various times throughout the night, and made it a point to remember the highlights of what I had just dreamed about. I did this perhaps 03 or 04 times... and when all was said and done, when I finally decided to wake up, this morning...

Originally Posted by Zhaylin

The BIGGEST thing that helps my recall is waking up slowly. Since you wake up to an alarm, perhaps you could try ignoring the alarm on weekends or when you have nothing planned?

...I did this, exactly. Recalled a bunch of completely random happenings in my dreams... some of which I wasn't even present for. (As if I were viewing the event from an ominous, non-existent standpoint).

Either way. Regardless of how random or insignificant, I did manage to retain a bit of lastnight's dreams solely by becoming aware of all these dream techniques. It's not much progress... but any progress at all is progress to celebrate.

Originally Posted by Apfelpfankuchen

no problem, if you're looking for some good relaxation techniques I suggest looking in the tutorials section in the archives and check out the '61 point relaxation technique' or take up meditation if you're interested

Definitely going to give this a try. Even without lucid dreaming on my mind, lastnight, it took nearly 02 hours to fall asleep. Literally relaxing and having nothing on the mind... and it took what felt like ages to feel myself begin to grow groggy. Mediation isn't quite my thing... but I've got an open mind and am willing to give it an effort, no doubt.

Originally Posted by Entropy

...I did this, exactly. Recalled a bunch of completely random happenings in my dreams... some of which I wasn't even present for. (As if I were viewing the event from an ominous, non-existent standpoint).

Either way. Regardless of how random or insignificant, I did manage to retain a bit of lastnight's dreams solely by becoming aware of all these dream techniques. It's not much progress... but any progress at all is progress to celebrate.

That's a great way to view it! Even a little progress is still progress. For some people it just takes longer to build recall, but in the end it can be a worthwhile venture

All the advice I would have given has been said. Using a DJ helps out so much, even if you just write down key points in the dream(s). When you wake up, just try to recall whatever you can, be it a color, a character, a place, an emotion, etc. Often if I can remember one or two details then more will come back to me if I work backwards.

Sweet dreams!