Re: [dreams-177] write in the dark pen ...
| From: | Carl Schroeder |
| Sent on: | Friday, August 14, 2009 12:16 PM |
Hi Dreamers,
I think that all experience starts as pure energy. We download the energy from the Source through the levels of our being, until it's as manifested as we need to be useful. Physical reality events are so manifested that they are pretty solid and inflexible. Dream events are manifested at a higher level and thus more fluid and changeable, but no less symbolic. All experiences are symbolic of our personal journeys as consciousnesses.
So when it comes to how and when to record dreams for conscious understanding, everyone can just pick the stages of manifesting that work best for them. It sounds like Allen does well to catch a dream while he's still sleepy and just speak quickly into a tape recorder, while others catch it a little closer to physical reality with a hand-written or typed journal.
Myself, I remember my dreams well and I feel a little lost if I only speak them after waking, so I benefit from seeing the dream assemble on the handwritten page. A later stage can then still be the transcribing onto computer. There's also post-dreaming exercises of doing a meditation based on the dream, which can extend the adventures quite meaningfully. That can lead to more journaling, etc. At some point you have to get back to the rest of your life!
Every stage gives more opportunity for awareness of patterns and meaning which point back to the Source and our journey from/to the Source. It's just really a question of managing our resources. How much time and energy do we have available in the balance of our total lives to do this good stuff and not other good stuff?
The ego can get very attached to the idea that every dream should be processed fully and equally, when in fact some dreams are more useful than others. The goal is to get the message for our growth. Some advanced dreamers report that they can get the message of a dream just from thinking about it after waking up, and the narrative symbols are soon forgotten without loss of the meaning for their lives. Really advanced dreamers simply interpret the dream while in the dream!
I've had some lucid dreams of interpreting the dream while in it, but mostly I still struggle with desires to make the ultimate complete typed-up dream log of my half-understood dream journals, while knowing I don't have the time for this. Wanting something you can never get and don't even need is a source of suffering. More realistically, I think if one dream a week makes total sense and makes a big difference in my life, then I'm doing well and I feel contented.
pleasant dreams,
Carl
________________________________________________
I think that all experience starts as pure energy. We download the energy from the Source through the levels of our being, until it's as manifested as we need to be useful. Physical reality events are so manifested that they are pretty solid and inflexible. Dream events are manifested at a higher level and thus more fluid and changeable, but no less symbolic. All experiences are symbolic of our personal journeys as consciousnesses.
So when it comes to how and when to record dreams for conscious understanding, everyone can just pick the stages of manifesting that work best for them. It sounds like Allen does well to catch a dream while he's still sleepy and just speak quickly into a tape recorder, while others catch it a little closer to physical reality with a hand-written or typed journal.
Myself, I remember my dreams well and I feel a little lost if I only speak them after waking, so I benefit from seeing the dream assemble on the handwritten page. A later stage can then still be the transcribing onto computer. There's also post-dreaming exercises of doing a meditation based on the dream, which can extend the adventures quite meaningfully. That can lead to more journaling, etc. At some point you have to get back to the rest of your life!
Every stage gives more opportunity for awareness of patterns and meaning which point back to the Source and our journey from/to the Source. It's just really a question of managing our resources. How much time and energy do we have available in the balance of our total lives to do this good stuff and not other good stuff?
The ego can get very attached to the idea that every dream should be processed fully and equally, when in fact some dreams are more useful than others. The goal is to get the message for our growth. Some advanced dreamers report that they can get the message of a dream just from thinking about it after waking up, and the narrative symbols are soon forgotten without loss of the meaning for their lives. Really advanced dreamers simply interpret the dream while in the dream!
I've had some lucid dreams of interpreting the dream while in it, but mostly I still struggle with desires to make the ultimate complete typed-up dream log of my half-understood dream journals, while knowing I don't have the time for this. Wanting something you can never get and don't even need is a source of suffering. More realistically, I think if one dream a week makes total sense and makes a big difference in my life, then I'm doing well and I feel contented.
pleasant dreams,
Carl
--------- Original Message --------
From: [address removed]
To: "[address removed]" <[address removed]>
Subject: Re: [dreams-177] write in the dark pen ...
Date: 08/14/09 06:24 AM"
This is an excellent conversation. Thanks to Kevin, Allen, and Carl.
I kept an audio dream diary for a couple of years, using cassette tapes. I really enjoyed it at the time. I never got around to transcribing all those dreams though. I now keep a handwritten dream diary. I can see though how the transcription process is also an opportunity to learn from the dream, because of re-immersing oneself into the dream experience. At some point I do want to transcribe all of those hours of audio tapes. But when will I find the time? Maybe if I do it one dream at a time . . .
I prefer a written dream diary because seeing the dream written down provides easy access to the dreams. One can scan the dreams quite quickly to find a particular dream or to just browse to find to find common themes or compare and contrast.
Has anyone in the group tried digital recording of dreams? Like with a computer or an mp3 recorder (for example an ipod)? Also has anyone tried using a voice-activated recorder? I read of one person who used such a recorder and it recorded him talking in his sleep!
One concern I have about audio recording of dreams is the possibility of disturbing the person sleeping beside me. That is one of the advantages of using a light-pen. The light only goes where it is needed. It doesn't flood the room with light and wake up the bed partner.
My favorite light-pen is one I made. I made it by taping a penlight to a very smooth writing pen. A penlight is a tiny flashlight that uses common AAA batteries. Use a penlight that has a pushbutton switch that stays on while you write. You can also tape frosted magic tape over the light to soften the glow.
In dreams,
Deerheart
On Friday, August 14, 2009, at 10:02 AM, Ysgawen (Allen) wrote:
"I think the problem for most people is the time it takes to transcribe a dream from any recording, it's great that you are able to make enough time for that."
***
True.... although i'm not sure how that is any different than writing it all down right when you wake up in the first place. Your gonna put in the time sooner or later, only "later" you are likely to be more awake and able to revisit the experience as you listen to it again and then write it down from your own words. The tapes also allow me to re-listen to past dreams at any time. Any journal keeping requires effort, and effort requires the dedication of time. Hearing it again a second time as you write it down brings it back into consciousness and better asigns it into long-term memory so that you can begin to see patterns or make connections that you were to spaced-out to see in the wee hours of the dawn.
In the end I can only speak to my own preferences of course.
I've been keeping a dream log for about 7 years and using tapes for 4 of those years. I find it has made everything easier and that the tape actually reduces any time I need in the morning. Afterall most of us have the least leisurly time in the morning (what with brushing our teeth, grabbing the kids, taking out the garbage and recycling before the truck barrells down the street, and then heading to work and all that). Using a recorder means I dont have to compose my thoughts, or force my mind into a rational left-brain mind-set in order to write it all down while it is still fresh. I dont have to think about anything at all. I dont have to try and make sense of the dream yet. I dont even have to turn on the lights, I just hit a button and talk as if I were explaining my dream to a friend.
-Allen
-----Original Message-----
From: Carl S. <[address removed]>
To: [address removed]
Sent: Thu, Aug 13, 2009 10:38 pm
Subject: Re: [dreams-177] write in the dark pen ...
Hi Allen and Kevin,
Thanks for the tips!
At the meeting we discussed how a tape or digital recorder can definitely capture more emotion as well as be essential for recording dream melodies, and two of us sang dream songs we remembered. Opportunities for performance of dream songs (or theatre or whatever) were noted at the upcoming Oct 10 mystical art and talent show (see www.soulstirring.org and contact me [address removed] )
I think the problem for most people is the time it takes to transcribe a dream from any recording, it's great that you are able to make enough time for that. I have an ongoing transcription project myself just to go from notebook to compute. I remember so many dreams that i'm constantly just trying to catch up with a pen notes and then puzzling what it means before the next morning's dreams, I'm lucky if I get it transcribed. Dreaming is a constant flow, and synchronicities will happen with life to complement the process.
best wishes,
Carl
----- Original Message -----
From: Ysgawen (Allen)
To: [address removed]
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:31 AM
Subject: Re: [dreams-177] write in the dark pen ...
Far easier to just get a little recorder and keep it by the bed, speak into it when you wake up. No need to fumble for a pen and notebook or even get up. You dont need to turn on the left brain yet.... just hit record and start talking ... even if half-awake (stream of consciousness). I transcribe the tapes later in the week, find it more immediate and I seem to remember more details that way.
-Allen
-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Johnson <[address removed]>
To: [address removed]
Sent: Wed, Aug 12, 2009 10:14 am
Subject: [dreams-177] write in the dark pen ...
As promised, here's the link to the write in the dark pen I have ...
http://www.dfmassachi.net/penlight.html
Regards,
Kevin
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