Why Do We Dream?
...and just what ARE dreams, anyway? Scientists are still debating that one. Remember, they haven't figured out what most of our brain capacity is used for, much less what dreams are or why we dream...so they'll be busy on this one way past our lifetimes! Yes, there are many theories...but nothing is 100% scientifically proven. So perhaps it would be better to ponder a quote from a much Higher Source, albeit a "non-scientific" one :
"For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it
not. In a dream, in a vision of night, when deep sleep falleth upon
men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men and
sealeth their instruction..."
Book of Job, 33:14-16
Now, don't run off screaming in fear that a bible-thumper is about to force religion down your throat...I have listed quotes from a variety of sources to help show people from different backgrounds how important dreams have been considered in many cultures and spiritual belief systems, not just the ethereal types like myself. Meanwhile, although everyone has a different opinion, it is up to the individual to decide what dreams may mean to him or her specifically, and it all depends on whether one looks at it from an aspect of pure scientific proof. psychology, or faith that something more exists for us than a mere physical life; and having the ability to experience life with spiritual enlightenment and intuition...rather than believing that all this "stuff" called life is just a quirk of nature. There are plenty of links to other sites that deal in all these theories & more listed on my Dream Links page (I suggest starting with the Dream FAQ links), so I will leave that decision up to you, the individual dreamer.
My main interest & focus is in the actual dream interpretations
themselves, because I already know why *I* dream (smile), and don't even
spend time debating that point any longer; but I didn't want to leave
students doing research papers on dreams without resources.
(Good
luck, if that includes you!)
Now, on with how to get started interpreting your own dreams...or simply remembering them, for starters. Starting & keeping a dream journal will help you accomplish this goal.
for those illusive,
below-consciousness feelings
that tend to dive for cover
when they meet
the light of day.
If we are persistent
about searching for
and seeking our dreams,
and our inner self,
the line between the conscious
and the unconscious
will blur.
- -- -Julia Chiapella- -
HEY, YOU! - That's right; I'm being obnoxious to get your attention: I wanted to make sure you don't miss this one basic fact in understanding what your dreams mean.
Your dreams are all about *YOU*
That means every character in your dream is a reflection of
you and not anybody else. Your dream about your
boyfriend/girlfriend cheating on you is not about your boyfriend, but
tells you something about how YOU feel about your boyfriend...if his
character cheats on you in your dream, then it's about your fears or
suspicions, and not necessarily a precognitive dream that your sig other
is fooling around on you. Get it? Got it? Good. Onward!
Taja Sevelle has this idea pegged in one of her song's lyrics. I love the music video, because it shows other people but they all morph into *her*. That's basically what you are creating unconsciously in your dreams. Again: every character is a reflection of YOUR feelings, YOUR thoughts, YOUR desires, YOUR fears. The other characters in your dream may be playing devil's advocate, trying to get you to see how you are acting just like your brother; being silly like your ditzy neighbor; being maternal like your mother; showing you how your fears are holding you back when you are too scared to even let a cool guy get next to you in your dream; showing you that you need to get a handle on the stressful situation with your boss before you lose it bigtime; any number of things. Only you can figure out what these characters mean to you in your dreams. A dream interpreter can guess or make suggestions, but the rest is up to you because we don't know these people and you do, although oftentimes the dream's symbology will give helpful hints.
Here are the lyrics to Taja's song:
I had a dream I lived next door to me.
What I saw was fear and vanity.
I, I, I, I, me, me, me, me, I, I, I, I, me, me, me, me.
I never knew my personality,
Until I lived next door to me.
I'm the water, I'm the sky, I'm the one, 'cause I am I.
I & I, and me & me, I, I, I ... me & me.
I & I, and me & me, I, I, I ... me & me.
What struck me most about me was my decor.
I must have dressed myself for mi amour.
I saw a fool just wasting time.
Not leaving anything real behind ...
I & I, and me & me, I, I, I ... me & me.
What's my life if it's only me? I, I, I ... me & me.
It was all about me.
It was ALL about me. (I forgot about you)
It was all about ME.
I had a dream I lived next door to me (24/7). What I saw was pure insanity.
I never knew how selfish I could be,
Until I lived next door to me.
