Dream Recall and Interpretation

The aim is to recreate the physical feeling of sleep while your mind stays consciously awake. You breathe through the nose, drag out each inhale and exhale, and keep the breath deep, heavy and relaxed. That sleepy body state is the setting in which you look for the dream.

Because the breathing is meant to feel like sleep, and it's easy to slip back into it. Sitting up keeps you awake. It also fits the instruction to do this as close to waking as possible.

You're invited to imagine one instead. The teacher says imagination comes from the same place as dreams and isn't random, so an imagined setting, person or action still counts. You're also encouraged to focus on the feeling, since that often lingers longest after waking.

You work through the location, the people, the activity and the feeling. For each, you first look for a real memory and then use imagination if nothing comes. Then you put the four together and fill in the scene as if you were writing or recalling a movie.

You look for anything unusual or significant in the setting, the objects, the people or the actions. Then you pick one thing that stands out and notice how it makes you feel. Ask why your mind chose it, what message it might carry, and whether there's advice or a realization in it.

The guidance stops and you meditate on your own on any symbols that appeared. You finish by asking your unconscious, what are you trying to show me. You may also notice the scene shifting by itself, and you can simply watch what it shows you.