Having control over one's dreams is one of the most interesting experiences a human being can experience. Have you ever wanted to live one of your most significant dreams again or just be the king (or queen) of your subconscious? Then read our tips.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Record your dreams
Step 1. Buy a notepad
It will become your "dream diary". In your dream journal you will write what you wish to dream and what you remember of the dreams you had.
- Keep the diary near your bed and keep a pen handy so you can write down what you remember of the dream as soon as you wake up. If you wait too long, the memory of the dream will vanish in no time.
- You can write your dream on the computer but it is recommended to do it by hand. You will spend more time writing the text and you will have more time to remember all the details of the dream that are recorded in your memory.
Step 2. Write on the pad what you would like to dream about
Define this desire as your "goal dream". Do this before going to sleep and imagine all the details that should be part of the dream.
- Make drawings and describe in detail all the elements of the dream. The more details you can write, the better it will be; consider that even the smallest things can be important to control the dream you will have.
- The trick is to describe the sensations you will experience while dreaming what you want; in this world, you will be aware of the dream you are having even if you are sleeping.
- Do not watch a movie or television before going to bed or you will lose focus on your objective dream.
Step 3. Every morning, as soon as you wake up, write what you dreamed of on the pad
Even if the dream is different from what you imagined, write it down in the pages of the diary. Follow the advice we give you below to know what to record of the dream you had.
- Just like an athlete, you are training your mind to remember your dream. The more you train, the more details you will be able to remember.
- Take note of the points in common with the dream you had and what you wanted to do. Try to be as specific as possible in your description. Note the similarities and differences. When trying to interpret your dream, remember that the waking brain does not work the same way during sleep; therefore, the interpretation must be made taking this point into consideration. In general, the brain, on a subconscious level, uses metaphors and images related to what it wants to express.
Part 2 of 3: Practice in a conscious state
Step 1. Focus on your goal dream
Every night, before going to sleep, read the description of the objective dream several times in order to "fix" it in your head.
After reading something several times the brain starts to get lazy and anticipates what is written on the paper without grasping its meaning: make sure you understand perfectly the meaning of what you read at all times
Step 2. Lie down, close your eyes and think about your goal dream
Take it easy. Think about the details of the dream.
- Sort out the images that arise on a subconscious level when thinking about your objective dream. The mind creates many images that do not have to do directly with your objective dream: individual and focus only on the relevant images.
- Imagine the sounds and dialogues behind your dream; try to really feel them in your mind. Try to experience the sensations that are generated.
- If no sounds and no images are clearly delineated, re-read the dream description in your diary.
Step 3. Imagine actually attending your dream
Do it in person from start to finish. Try to live the experience through your eyes.
- Live the dream experiences in the exact sequence in which you imagined them.
- Put all your effort into it, but stay calm. Just think about relaxing.
- Go to sleep with these sounds and images in your head. It is important that you are able to remember your dream once you are awake.
Part 3 of 3: Take control of your dreams
Step 1. Take a test throughout the day
Ask yourself: "Am I awake or am I dreaming?" It will help you understand the difference between sleep and wakefulness.
- Note the differences between the state of sleep and wakefulness: in sleep the state changes continuously in a fluid and constant way, in reality it does not work like that. In a dream the trees change color and shape, the hands of the clocks move counterclockwise; in reality all this does not happen.
- A good test to determine if you are living a dream or reality is to fixate on a text. Imagine you have a Madonna poster in your room with the word "Madonna" at the bottom. Look at the writing, look away for a few minutes and look at the poster: if you find a different writing on it, it is likely that you are dreaming.
Step 2. Take advantage of the test done
If you find that you are dreaming during the test you will be able to control much of the dream you are having.
- If you understand that you are living a dream, don't lose your temper. If you get too excited you may no longer be able to control what you are dreaming about or risk waking up.
- Try it little by little. It is once again about controlling your arousal and avoiding waking up. Even the simplest things like: cooking, skateboarding, etc. can be fun in a dream, if you know you have them under control.
Step 3. Gradually move to more interesting activities
Think about what it would be like to be able to fly, swim on the ocean floor, use telekinesis etc … Dreams are only limited by your imagination!
Advice
-
In your dream diary record the following data:
- Date
- Was the dream set in the past, present or future?
- Who was there in the dream? (known or unknown people)
- Your feelings, your feelings
- The development of the story
- Anything visually worth pointing out: colors, shapes, numbers, figures
- Did the dream include some kind of conflict?
- Did you have to solve problems during the dream?
- Were there any elements in the dream that you had previously dreamed of?
- The end.
- Try to sleep in a quiet place with no distractions. Just focus on the dream you want to have.
- If you concentrate too much in the phase in which you are about to fall asleep, you could trigger a reaction that leads you to insomnia. Try to focus on your subconscious and leave your waking state aside.
- Set a spot near your bed or on the ceiling that you can easily focus on. Fix that spot for a few minutes before bed and as soon as you wake up. It will help you clarify the dream you are about to have or have just had.
- Another way to tell if you are dreaming is to draw a symbol on your hand. Before falling asleep think: “When I look at your hand I will understand if I am dreaming”. If the technique doesn't work, try again. At some point, just by thinking about the hand, you will be able to have control over your dream.
- Another way to control your dream is to stare at a clock with hands and think that the hands are starting to move counterclockwise. When you are awake it won't work, but if you are dreaming you may be able to. If you see the hand moving in reverse you will know that you are dreaming.
- Being in control of your dreams is not the same as having a "lucid dream". Learn about lucid dreaming with a simple internet search and try to spot the differences.
Warnings
- You will not be able to have control over your dreams immediately. Normally, it will take a couple of months to do this (especially in the case of beginners). Your impatience will not help and will only delay success in the enterprise.
- If you are still and silent for too long you could suffer from a bout of "sleep paralysis"; don't worry, it's normal and we experience it every night (we just don't realize it because we're sleeping). If this happens to you, don't be afraid; remember that it is a normal reaction of the body.
