This is a
script of a short lecture I provided my student with during the first meeting
of the Dream project.
1.
Introduction
The aim of
the project is create photographs, collages and graphics inspired by dreams.
Such art may be called ONEIROGRAPHY. We shall draw inspiration and ideas for
art works from our dreams. First step is to get to know how the dreams work,
then learn techniques to remember them. Afterwards we will learn how to create
good photographs, collages and graphics. The outcome of the project will be
pieces of oneirography with description of dreams written in English. I'm
planning to make an exhibition of my students work. I have also set up a web
page (blog) where our students can present their works to partners from
different countries: http://etwinningoneirography.blogspot.com - the site is
empty now, but I will work on that.
2. Sleeping
and Dreams - basic information
Your brain
works differently during different situations. There are various phrases and waves on which your "main computer"
operates
- Brainwaves Beta - these are on during normal day functioning
- Brainwaves Alpha - during the state of deep relax, before falling asleep.
Stages of
sleeping - NREM (non-rapid-eye-movement). It last about 90-120 minutes
Phases of
this stage:
- 1st - occurs at the beginning of the sleep, alpha brainwaves tends to disappear then. Most of the people, when awakened from this stage, claims they weren't sleeping at all. Some people see hypnic jerks (hypnagogic jerks) - these are sensations that occur at the beginning of falling asleep. Some people see some shapes, colours, changes in reality around them, some involuntarily jump when touched or called.
- 2nd - brain turns to Theta waves - it's easy to be woken up during this stage. If you stop sleeping during this stage, you feel fresh and not sleepy.
- 3rd - your brains operates on Delta waves. Your heartbeat is slower - it's a deep sleep. Even if you slept for 10 hours, but you were woken up during 3rd stage of NREM sleep, you will feel sleepy
After these
the REM (rapid-eye-movement) stage starts - and that's the one that interests
us, because during it we dream! The first REM stage lasts for about 20 minutes,
but it gets longer with every sleeping cycle (NREM and REM stages). For
example, after 6 hours of sleep, the nest REM stage can even last for an hour.
3. How to
remember your dreams?
Everybody
dreams. Repeat that, everybody dreams, but the majority of people do not
remember them. Some believe it's because dreams aren't important for them.
There are however some steps one make in order to remember them.
1)
decision.
During a
day make a decision: I do want to remember my dreams. Repeat that decision
before falling asleep. Go to a crowded place (shopping mall, main street during
rush hours). Look at people around you and realise: each one of them have
dreams, every night. Think what they can dream about.
OFFICIAL
WARNING no. 1 -
It is possible to wake up for a short time (a
few seconds, a minute) after each dream cycle - you can only remember the last
dream so your brain wakes you up after each dream cycle so you can wake up for
a bit and remember it. Then you fall asleep instantly. Only some people wake up
after each dream
2)
affirmation - it means repeating a statement in order to make your brain believe
in it. Repeat many times: I, name and surname, remember all my dreams.
Do it before falling asleep and throughout the day. Also, think what can you
sleep about
3) a dream
journal - a single most effective technique in remembering dreams. It
is vital for being successful in the project. A compulsory tool for every
oneirographer! In the journal you are to write down every single dream, in a
very minute detail. Buy a special notebook and a pen - you can use them only
for writing down dreams, keep them under the pillow or next to the bed. It's
good if the pen can writr upside down (like a gel pen) so you can write while
being in bed. When you put your dream journal before falling asleep say to
yourself: This is my dream journal where I write my dreams.
Don't move
after waking up - memory of dream is like a soap bubble - easy to disappear.
Stay in bed and try to recall as many details as possible. If you don't
remember anything, think what you could dream about - it often helps. Also,
even if you don't remember anything, take your pen and dream journal - the
dream often returns to your memory in the moment of taking your dream writing
tools.
When you
write down your dreams always give them titles and write down what important
happened in the day before (in my dreams I'm always in a place I was a day
before - even if the function of place is changed - a church becomes my school
or a shopping mall turns out to be a swimming pool).
Note down
every single detail you remembered - nothing is unimportant. The chronological
order is not vital.
When you
are recalling the dream, ask yourself a series of detailed questions like: what
was the weather like? Was I at school, Who did I meet? etc.
OFFICIAL
WARNING 2
Sometimes
you may woke up, start your morning routine and at some point wake up again,
realising the earlier waking up was just a dream. It happens to everyone, but
people usually don't remember it as they don't remember their dreams. Don't
worry, it's natural, though it might be frustrating - nobody likes waking up
twice :D
What to do
with dreams in a dream journal? Read them often and look for regularities -
common situations, objects or conditions. Such things are called dream
signs. These are the ones that often appear in your dreams and they are
going to be put in your oneirographs: photographs collages or graphics, as they
appear in your dreams.
4. Temple
of Dreams
It's a
technique to incubate dreams, to make yourself remember more dreams and make
them to be of higher quality. Think about a place where you sleep. Ask
yourself: is it a calm place, full of beautiful objects, pieces of art, warm
colours, or is it rather an unfriendly empty area full of disorder, Mess,
untidiness, piles of dirty clothes and school books are often part of any
student's bedroom. It's high time to do away with it. Tidy up your room, make
sure you bedroom is a calm and a nice place, put all the things in order, don't
keep piles of school objects everywhere (especially as they often make you
stressed). Make sure your bed is well done. Don't think about problems or what
is going to happen next day. It's better to write down everything what worries
you and put the piece of paper with it somewhere on the desk - you will stop
worrying about forgetting it and it may enhance your dream life.
The length
of sleep is also an important factor. I never remember many details from dreams
when I slept for less than 7 hours. Teenagers should sleep for 8 hours (no
longer than 9) - it's good for your health and well being. And it may make you
remember more quality dreams.
Don't eat
anything just before going to bed (just like doctors say), especially nothing
that your stomach will have to digest a lot - it may cause you to not remember
dreams.
Task for
now - start writing down your dreams - soon, as a part of the project you will
have to write about them in English and create photographs, collages and
graphics inspired by them. Discuss your dreams with your friends - it may make
you recall more details.
Good Luck
