THE ART OF
REMEMBERING
DREAMS

Henry Reed

     To describe  the remembering of dreams  as  an  art is
partially a confession of the mystery of the process. Yet,
in many respects, learning  to  recall dreams is similar to
learning   any   other  skill.  It   requires   motivation,   an
especially adapted  vigilant  strategy,  an  overcoming  of
possible   resistance,   and,   above   all,   an   attitude   of
confident patience.  It  is  only  when  we  practice  these
skills on a high  level  that  the  remembering  of  dreams
becomes truly an art.

The Importance of Motivation

     At  first, natural  curiosity  about  our  dreams  should
supply enough motivation  to make us  try  to  remember
them. We  may  wonder, for  instance,  what  our  dreams
mean   and  what   role  they  may  play  in  our  lives.  By
becoming   aware   of    dreams   and   recognizing   their
importance  we  expand   the  domain  of  our  conscious
existence.
     Still, once we turn our attention  to dreams, they may
disappoint   us   by   appearing   mundane  or   trivial  and

This essay is adapted from the version edited  by  Joan  Carson,  which
was published in Quadrant, Summer,  1976.  Copyright ©  1976  by  C.G.
Jung Foundation for Analytical Psychology.  Used  by  permission.  All
rights reserved.

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