“. . . . because we look not to the things that are seen
but to the things that are unseen;
for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
(2 Corinthians 4:18)
KEEPING A DREAM JOURNAL
If you have an interest in working with and understanding your dreams, then keeping a dream journal is essential—for this is the foundation of your work. Initially, acquiring this discipline can be challenging, but with a little practice it will become, like your dreams, an integral part of your daily life. Please do not underestimate the importance of this daily record, for without it, your chances of gaining any meaningful insight into the spiritual dimensions of your dream experiences will be very limited.
The greatest benefit found in this daily practice is that your awareness will be increasingly directed to the inner dimensions of your being, and allow you to more fully open to the inner presence of the Christ, your soul and your spirit. In addition, keeping a daily dream journal will ensure a disciplined approach to your practice, strengthen your memory, improve your ability to recall your dreams, and begin your education related to the language of dreams.
It is best if you being this practice each day as you awaken. These first few moments of the new day are the most important, for manner in which you make the transition from sleeping consciousness to waking consciousness largely determines the extent of your dream recall. A noisy and abrupt transition, as from an alarm clock, for example, will have a destructive effect on your ability to recall your dreams. For a high level of dream recall a slow, quiet, and peaceful transition from sleeping to waking consciousness is best.
Begin your efforts at recall as you begin to awaken, even before achieving full waking consciousness. Quickly record anything that you recall. To the extent possible sketch a general outline, either on paper or with a tape recorder (you will want to keep the necessary materials handy for this purpose). It is very important to make these notes right away because, for most people, dream experiences are extremely evanescent—if you do not capture them immediately they will surely vanish.
Later in the day, when recording your dreams in detail, begin with your notes, close your eyes and re-imagine the night’s dream experiences. Your notes will bring to mind fragments, which you will still be able to envision, and these fragments will grow into a more complete narrative. As you begin to write more will come to mind.
Capture everything that you can recall, everything that makes an impression in your mind. Generally speaking, the powerful and dramatic aspects of your dream are the features that you are most likely to remember. This is what is important to you, and it is generally here where the central message and the purpose of your dream resides.
