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| I believe one reason we are in this world is to learn and grow. Much of that learning and growth is internal. Our dreams play an important part in that process. |
| DAILY DREAMS. We cannot consciously attend to each detail of our environment. Our unconscious gathers and sorts this information into "important" and "less important" groups. What the unconscious deems important may come back to us in a dream. For example, we may not have consciously noticed a change in the sound of our car engine. We may have a dream that involves not being able to get when we want to go. Two days later we think, "I’d better get my car’s oil checked." [Hint: when interpreting dreams always look for the ‘obvious’ first.] |
| Everyone dreams. Not everyone remembers their dreams. However, if we attend to our dreams, we will find they give fullness to our lives. |
| INTERPRETING DREAMS |
| PREDICTIVE DREAMS. We may think that time is linear but dreams view time as circular or spiral. About two weeks before the Oklahoma City bombing a client told me that her mother in a dream told her, "Don’t go to Oklahoma City". The client said, "I wasn’t planning to go to Oklahoma City. "Well", her mother said, "just don’t go to Oklahoma City." The client’s mother had died many years earlier and the client had no connections to Oklahoma City or with the bombers. |
| OUR PATH. Dreams can remind us when we are going along with the crowd to the detriment of following our true path. These dreams frequently involve modes of mass transportation: buses, planes, trains, etc. |
| DREAMS |
| One area of growth is the development of our personalities (see MBTI ). Dreams bring unknown information into consciousness. We have unused parts of our personalities and dreams help bring us into balance. An extraverted female client dreamed of a quiet lady sitting in a.chair, reading a book, beside a fire. The setting was very inviting. The client wanted to take the lady with her "to meet people" but the dream lady said, "No, I don’t want to go out, I want to sit here and read." The client was scornful of and angry with this quiet lady until we explored her need to meet and respect her introverted side. Another client—this one extremely introverted—wanted to return to college but was very fearful. She dreamed of a man she admired who plunged into life and got things done. In her dream he offered to help her with a project. She had the ability to "plunge in and get things done" but needed to access it. Once she knew that "Joe" would help her she called on him when in doubt and asked, "How would Joe do this?" |
| It'is hard for most people to understand the true meaning of their dreams without help. We stand inside the dream and may need someone who stands outside to see the bigger picture. It's important to remember Jung's belief that the true interpretation of a dream gives the dreamer an "Ah Ha!" feeling. If someone gives you an interpretation, and you do not intuitively agree with it, chances are the interpreter missed the mark. |
| DIVINE DREAMS can be big dreams but they occur more regularly. They help us connect with the universe, with the divine. |
| BIG DREAMS usually occur at times of transition in your life. They help you through this process. Often they contain archetype images and bring needed energy with them. |
| PERSONAL GROWTH |
| © Margaret L. Cunningham, PhD 2002 |
| Dreams can be "deflating" when we are getting too puffed up with ourselves. These dreams frequently incorporate humor. |
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| ABUSE
ANXIETY CHILDREN COUNSELING DEPRESSION DREAMS FAMILY HYPNOSIS INDIVIDUAL PARTNERS SENIORS TALK THERAPY TESTING TRANSITION WAR |
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| KINDS OF DREAMS |
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| Dr.Maggie |