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Introduction
They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul but the real windows
to the soul are our dreams. Dreams help us understand how we feel about
ourselves and the world around us. They help us unlock the hidden secrets
of our souls; our deepest desires and our worst fears. They enable us to
uncover our true selves.
Why We Dream
Many people say they never dream. But they do. We all do. Each night
we have many periods of sleep called R.E.M. (Rapid Eye Movement) when our
most vivid dreams come to us. Scientists and sleep researchers, however,
are not certain of the exact reasons our brain seems to need to manufacture
dreams; what function and purpose they serve on a physiological level.
Many psychiatrists and psychologists feel that our dreams do serve a purpose
on a psychological level, however.
He who goes to bed hungry
dreams of pancakes.
--Maltese Proverb
The Meaning of Dreams
There have been as many different theories about the meaning of dream
as there are dreams. In the past they were thought to carry messages from
divine beings or the spirit world. More modern dream theories are based
on the workings of the subconscious mind and it's need to "process" the
information of the day. If we could but decode the mysterious language
of symbols and actions that exists in our night journeys we would have
the key to the workings of our deepest thoughts.
But why would our minds need to conjure up such elaborate symbolism?
Indeed, the title of one article on dreams, Dreaming and the Impossible
Art of Translation, sums up the difficulty in deciphering this mysterious
language of the soul, which is based on metaphors and symbols that must
be interpreted within the context of society, culture and individual life
experiences.
Unfortunately, experts don't really know why we dream in such symbolism
and what meaning that symbolism might contain. Freud believed that the
meaning of dreams needed to be disguised to keep the dreamer from awakening
during the dream. Many psychologists and dream experts, however, believe
that symbolism and metaphor is actually the language of the unconscious.
While there may be certain "universal" meanings to particular symbols
it is up to the dreamer to determine what a particular symbol might mean
in the context of the dream, for each symbol may have very personal--and
very different--meanings to the dreamer.
Understanding the wisdom behind the hidden meanings of our dreams can
help us gain a deeper awareness and better understanding of ourselves;
our true natures, our motivations, our aspirations, our unresolved issues
and fears. Our dreams can help guide us through the murky waters of our
own minds. Uncovering and understanding all the different parts of our
own psyche can enable us to achieve true integration and a sense of wholeness.
All the things one has forgotten scream
for help in dreams.
--Elias Canetti (1905-1994) Swiss author
Working with Dreams
Journal: It is helpful when working with dreams to keep a dream
journal. As soon as you awaken, first thing in the morning or the middle
of the night if possible, write down everything you remember about your
dream or dreams.
I've dreamt in my life dreams
that have stayed with
me ever after, and changed
my ideas; they've
gone through and through
me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind.
--Emily Bronte, English novelist.
Methods of Interpretation
Symbols and Dream Dictionaries. Your dream symbols are important
in the interpretation of your dreams. Like ancient hieroglyphics, each
symbol conveys a particular meaning. Dream Dictionaries are excellent references
in helping you interpret those symbols, especially when you might be stumped
by a particular dream element. However, keep in mind that dream dictionaries
are just a starting point in determining the meaning of particular
symbols and not the definitive interpretation of that symbol. You are
the only one who can determine exactly what your dream is trying to say.
You can use some of the methods below to help you determine your own personal
meanings. |
