How much Dream Recall................

[hapkidoman]

I was wondering what is the normal amount of dream recall one should have before attempting to LD. I have for my whole life been able to remember around two dreams per night. I can also remember dreams for years. I don't keep a dream journal and I just found out (or rediscovered, actually) the idea of lucid dreams three days ago, so I haven't had an LD yet. Is two dreams per night good enough recall to start trying MILD? How many dreams per night could you recall when you started LDing? I think I'll start my dream journal tonight. Thanks for all the help!

[legs2021]

I'm not sure, I'm in the same position as you. But, I usually can only remember one dream per night and can remember particularly vivid dreams for years. I started a dream journal and get so upset when I don't remember anything from the night before. I had to put a note book by the bed and write the date and "I WILL remember ALL my dreams tonight" on the page before I go to sleep and then take notes as soon as I wake up. I'm afraid that if I try to attempt a lucid dream, I won't remember it. This will be an interesting thread to keep up with. Thanks for starting it!

[hapkidoman]

This will be an interesting thread to keep up with. Thanks for starting it! Thank you, I find all of this very interesting. I can't wait until I have my first lucid.

[legs2021]

I can't wait to have one I'm sure I'll REMEMBER!!! HAHA

[hapkidoman]

It seems from everyone else that keeping a dream journal is a major component of having an LD. However, I can recall a lot of detail from my dreams, so how much of it am I suppose to record? If I recorded everything that I remembered, I would spend more time writing than dreaming . So what is a good amount? Do I just write down the main points? Also, do I still keep a dream journal forever, or do I stop as soon as I get consistent LD's?

[b12]

Two a night? Are you kidding? I can remember maybe one every two DAYS. Of course, this is when i don't self-talk and try to remember a dream. I've been weeks without dreams before, but when i tell myself "Tonight, i will remember my dreams" i remember. Yes, two a night is very good for trying to have a LD.

[hapkidoman]

For some reason, I have worst recall when I tell myself before I fall asleep that I will remember my dream. I seem to have the best recall when I don't tell my brain my intentions. Is anyone else like that?

[b12]

What do you tell yourself? The brain is accustomed to postive, not negative self-talk. So if you say, "i will not forget my dreams tonight," or like "i will not wake up from my lucid dream tonight," it increases the chance of you actually doing the act. For those same two things, you can say, "i will remember my dreams tonight," or, "i will stay lucid for as long as i want tonight."

[hapkidoman]

Actually, I say in my head: "I will wake up from my dream and remember it" about ten times before I fall asleep (it takes me about five minutes to fall asleep). Should I say it out loud, or is doing it in your head okay?

[Oneironaught]

The idea of having to have good recall to LD is a myth. The significance of recall is, well, recall. The better your recall, the more likely you'll be to A) remember your LD, and B) remember it in detail. I hate when people think that they should wait to try to have a lucid dream. There is absolutely no reason why you should wait to try. Try now. At the same time, work on recall improvement. Some people argue "what good is an LD if you don't remember it?" I dislike that logic because it's a defeatist attitude. My question is "why not?" Odds are, if you have a good, vivid LD, you'll be more prone to recall it than you would a regular dream because there's the conscious component that regular dreams lack. So, your answer is that dream recall makes negligible difference in your ability to have an LD. It mainly affects your ability to recall it and enjoy it later. But who says you can't simply enjoy it at the time. After all, even non-recalled LD practice is useful, beneficial practice and experience. Surely, enjoying the dream at the time is quite worthwhile.

[b12]

Actually, I say in my head: "I will wake up from my dream and remember it" about ten times before I fall asleep (it takes me about five minutes to fall asleep). Should I say it out loud, or is doing it in your head okay? Doing it in your head is just fine; self-talk is all cognitive.

[hapkidoman]

Thanks for the reply. How many LD's have you had? Are you able to do it naturally or were you once new at it like me?

[hapkidoman]

How long should I keep my dream journal? And how detailed should it be to get good results?

[Oneironaught]

How long should I keep my dream journal? And how detailed should it be to get good results? As long as you can keep it up. As detailed as possible. Write down whatever details you can remember. This often helps forgotten details come back to mind.

[mylucidworld]

I have poor dream recall but i tell myself i will have a lucid dream and i do so recall isn't necessary.

[sycross]

Two dreams a night should definitely be enough.

[hapkidoman]

I've constantly been able to remember atleast one, but usually two dreams per night my entire life. So should I just try to have an LD or should I try to recall more dreams per night? I know some people have already replied to this question (thank you) I just want to see what the general consensus is.

[Sniper991122]

Well, when I go to have a lucid dream I usually don't try to actively have them. Thats the point of doing reality checks at various points throughout the day is so that eventually in one of your dreams you will subconsciously do this reality check and become lucid. I'd recommend doing both, go to bed every night telling yourself that you will remember all your dreams and do reality checks all throughout the day. I read up on that dream yoga tutorial (and i've pretty much read every other tutorial on this website) but for some reason the dream yoga really helped. In the past 18 nights I've had 6 lucid dreams. I basically doubled the amount of lucid dreams I've had since I first joined here in '04, and thats only in the past 18 days. Do reality checks... and when you think you've done enough, do more. Find any excuse to do a reality check, crossing through door ways, awkward moments, seeing/hearing something unusual anything and everything. As it was stated in the dream yoga thread if you eventually train yourself to constantly do reality checks you should theoretically become lucid in every single dream. Its certainly paying off for me

[Abra]

How real do you want the dream to be? Two dreams a night sounds great, but how much detail do you have? Can you remember the whole thing, or are there big gaps missing? Your dream recall will be equal to lucid dream recall. I would continue focusing on recall until you feel that "Boy, if that was a lucid dream, I'd be happy I remembered it this well!" You may already be at that point... Dream journals are important for two reasons: 1. It keeps recall sharp, and many times improves recall. 2. It allows you to have an organized way to recognize recurring dream signs (a person, scene, or feeling that you often find in your dreams).

[hapkidoman]

How real do you want the dream to be? Two dreams a night sounds great, but how much detail do you have? Can you remember the whole thing, or are there big gaps missing? Your dream recall will be equal to lucid dream recall. I would continue focusing on recall until you feel that "Boy, if that was a lucid dream, I'd be happy I remembered it this well!" You may already be at that point... Dream journals are important for two reasons: 1. It keeps recall sharp, and many times improves recall. 2. It allows you to have an organized way to recognize recurring dream signs (a person, scene, or feeling that you often find in your dreams). Thanks, Abra. I don't know if it is a dream sign, maybe you guys could help me out, but it seems like in every dream (or atleast most dreams) I am living in a town somewhat like my town, but it is arranged differently and I go to school with people I know, but never went to school with. Also, the layout of my house is different at times. Also, it seems that in my dreams I am always looking slightly down and have a narrow field of vision (no huge vistas ever). And when people talk their mouths do not move, but I just know what they are saying. Are these things considered dream signs or something else?

[Oneironaught]

Are these things considered dream signs or something else? Yes, they are the very definition of dream sign.