Dream Series 1.2: Practical Tips for Dream Exploration
Keep a Dream Journal: Start by writing down or recording your dreams as soon as you wake up. Be sure to tell the dream in present tense as if it is happening now. The details can fade quickly, so keeping a journal or a voice recording device beside your bed ensures you capture them while they’re still fresh. Don’t worry about interpreting them right away—just record the images, settings, symbols, and -most importantly- your feelings both in the dream and as you awaken. Many people use their phones to voice record, but that requires it to stay at your bedside. I recommend a voice recorder that has voice to text capabilities.
I actually do both because I like to handwrite my work as it helps me process better, but some prefer only the digital file as it makes it easier to find key words. I grab my recorder and whisper my dream using voice to text while laying in the same position. (Research shows that dream recall is improved by remaining in the same position.) As I drink my coffee, I use the recording audio to write out my dream in a journal with even more detail as my voice recreates the dream scene imagery. After noting my feelings, I note anything that the dream reminds me of in waking life. I also note anything from the dream that could be precognitive and come true now or in the future.
Don’t Discard Dream Fragments: Even if you don’t remember much, record it in your journal. Dream fragments can be extremely valuable too! A single image or action can provide insights into your life. One dreamer awoke with only an impression of a color that led to deep insights when she explored it.
I had a dream that I open the front door to find a white fluffy sheep on my doormat. I gasped and slammed the door. I had no idea what that meant or why I did that in the dream. A few months later, I opened the front door to check the mailbox to find our neighbor’s new white fluffy puppy lying on my doormat. I instinctively slammed the door so it didn’t come inside. It seemed meaningless, but that moment actually was the beginning of a series of events that affected my life.
Look for Patterns and Symbols: After a few weeks of journaling, go back and read through your dreams. Are there any recurring themes, symbols, or characters? Pay attention to specific images or feelings that stand out to you. These symbols often hold personal meaning or insights into your waking life.
I like to look back through my dreams about once a month. I noticed that anytime a dream about a tornado, drama involving my extended family is soon to follow. My dream circle also is such a wonderful resource as we pick up on patterns for each other. For example, my dream sisters pointed out that many of my dreams take place at my Grandparents’ home. This helped me realize that I had some unresolved childhood pain that had been holding me back in various areas of my life. Reviewing my journal also helps me realize just how precognitive dreams can be. I look for things that have come true in waking life since I had the dream.
Since we are on the topic of dream symbols, I want to add a note here about dream dictionaries (because people often ask). In short, I do not find them necessary because dreams are so personal and experiential. There is no resource greater than your own consciousness. I prefer conversations (like dream sharing & Dream Circles) or my own creative work (word play, painting, or drawing) to reveal deeper meanings. Sometimes I may use them or google perhaps as inspiration or to add to my insights only after I have done my own digging and research, and then I decide if the info is valid for me and applicable to my life. In other words, it is one of many tools that I use to explore insights.
Ask Questions (Dream Incubation): Before going to sleep, set an intention or ask a question you want insight on. This can be related to a challenge you’re facing or an area of your life you’re trying to understand better. For example, "What do I need to know about my current relationship?" or "What wisdom does my dream-self want to share with me?" Be sure to write this down or record it so you can consider the images through this lens.
Work with Your Dreams: If a particular dream feels significant, you can try "dream re-entry," a meditative technique where you revisit the dream consciously. Close your eyes, relax, and bring yourself back to the setting of the dream. As you do, notice new details, emotions, or insights that arise. This helps deepen the connection with the dream’s message.
You can also engage with the characters or symbols from your dream during the re-entry. You can have a conversation with a dream figure or explore a setting more deeply. This process helps you tap into unconscious material and expand on the dream’s narrative. It’s a creative way to dialogue with your inner world.
There are countless creative ways to work with dream images through movement, art, word play, etc. You can step into the emotions or actions in your dream. For example, if you were running in your dream, try moving your body in a similar way in your waking life. This practice can help you embody the energy of the dream and integrate its lessons more fully. I like to create the images by sketching or painting certain elements to further explore their intricate details and note how that makes me feel or what it reminds me of in waking life. Sometimes I use editing features to remove or change elements to see how that changes my impressions. AI has been useful in generating images too.
Use Your Dreams to Guide Your Waking Life: After reflecting on your dream, ask yourself: "How can I apply the insights or lessons from this dream to my waking life?" Whether it’s setting boundaries, embracing a new part of yourself, or taking a different approach to a challenge, let your dreams guide you in practical ways.
I note what action to take at the end of my dream journal entries. It can be as simple as “look for synchronicities today” or “paint the scene” or “reach out to ___ (a friend in the dream).”
Practice Lucid Dreaming: If you feel called to explore your dreams more consciously, you might want to try lucid dreaming—where you become aware that you're dreaming while still in the dream. This can allow you to interact with the dream and even change the course of the dream. Lucid dreaming requires practice, but it can be an incredibly transformative tool. My Dream Circle sister described an unpleasant dream that ended when she lucidly said “I don’t like this situation. Oh, I am dreaming and I can wake up!”
Dream Share or Join a Dream Circle: Talking with others about your dreams can help you gain new perspectives. If you feel comfortable, share your dreams with friends, family, or even a dream group. Others’ interpretations can bring fresh insight, or you might notice connections you hadn’t thought of simply in your retelling.
I love that my son and I share our dreams each morning over breakfast. It is such a wonderful way to bond and build strong foundations in our relationship, especially now that he is a teenager. We offer each other insights and act as accountability partners for taking some kind of action from the dream’s messages.
In tomorrow’s post entitled Dream Series 1.4: Dream Circles Explained, I will go into detail about dream circles and what the process looks like. I am also offering to host Dream Circles for you, free and open to anyone, to build a community of dream sharing. Check out the schedule and sign up here.
Allow Space for Interpretation: Dreams are multi-layered. There are many, many meanings and messages in any single dream or fragment. Dream work isn't always about finding immediate answers. Sometimes, dreams require patience and an open mind. Give yourself permission to sit with the mystery and allow meanings to emerge naturally over time. Trust that the dream will reveal its wisdom when you're ready to receive it.
By incorporating these practices into your daily or weekly routine, you can create a meaningful relationship with your dreams and unlock their full potential as tools for self-discovery, healing, and growth.
Comment below or message me if you have questions or would like me to go into more detail about topics such as lucid dreaming, how to remember your dreams, or using dream incubation or re-entry to solve problems or resolve nightmares.
Until next time, happy dream travels!