Is there a dream tugging at your coattails in which you are having a hard time connecting or communicating with? Do you feel the dream offers a message you are unable to receive? Or maybe there is a question or issues you need an answer to and you are hoping your dream world will provide you guidance.
I have been a passionate vivid dreamer since childhood; it is an intuitive gift I lovingly embrace. However, there are some nights I wake up from a dream when I have lost a detail or two I feel is very important; or there is a question which startles me left unanswered from a dream. When I am feeling this way, I know I need to sit with the dream and let it wash over my body, mind and spirit. After a day of embracing the pieces of the dream, I take it into incubation to unravel the missing images or questions left unanswered.
I have developed my own ritual of incubating a dream; I am not reinventing the wheel, rather I am manifesting a style that works with me. I have accepted this as my sacred ritual whenever I am given a dream too overwhelming for me to translate.
To incubate your dream, I suggest sitting with the dream from which you need or want more answers. You may have to do this several nights in a row, and maybe up to two weeks for those who do not recall their dreams often. If your question is not being answered or a resolution for an issue is not appearing for you, I suggest you take time some down time after a week before continuing on with the other steps.
Some dreams have clear meanings; some dreams take longer to interpret only because there is healing involved, or because messages given to a dreamer are not being received openly. Do not get discouraged! All dreams have a translation special to the dreamer; sometimes the meaning comes in pieces and belongs to a larger puzzle the dreamer needs to spend time fitting together.
Set your Intention. The most important part of dream incubation is setting an intention. Be clear on your intention, not vague; the clearer your intention, the more likely your dream will be easier to translate. What would you like your dreaming mind to weigh in on? Example intention questions: “What is it I need clarity about?” And, “What in my life needs attention?”
Prepare for Sleep Mindfully. With your intention in mind, prepare for sleep by repeating your intention several times. No TV before bed. Tune out any white noise. Turn off phones. Unplug the computer. I suggest lighting candles or putting on some soft relaxing meditation music 30 minutes before you climb into bed. Taking a relaxing salt bath with candles will cleanse your mind, body, and spirit. If you are the journaling type, write your intention in a journal starting with the phrase “I want to dream about…” or “In my dream I would like to know….” Whisper your intention while falling asleep.
Receiving the dream. We don’t always notice the connection at first, and although it is hard to believe the answer IS right there in the dream. Upon waking, write or draw out any images, senses or conversations you can recall from your night’s dreaming. As you are reconnecting with your dream in waking life, begin looking for elements and image associations to your questions — trace the pieces of your dream(s) together. Ask yourself: Do you feel your question(s) are being answered or recognized? Do you see any images that are connected to your previous dreams? How are you feeling?
If you are feeling frustrated with your dreaming, it is important to look beyond what you see and feel through the dream. We create walls for ourselves and hide complex memories our mind refuses to break down. Take this process step-by-step, day-by-day, and piece-by-piece. For when you emerge through your own walls, your dreams are waiting to take you on a beautiful journal through the transformation of your Self.
