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Dreaming - The Universal Language of Symbols

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Dreaming is something that occurs as a normal part of our sleep cycle. Some believe that they don’t dream, but sleep research indicates that most of these people DO dream but may not remember their dreams upon awakening. What is a dream, really? Why do we dream? What role does dreaming play in one’s life or psyche?

Dreams occur in a state of “unconsciousness” in which the mind appears to be a spectator or participant in an adventure or in a series of adventures that often are dramatic, chaotic, bizarre or even mundane. Although once considered to be messages from gods and spirits giving warnings or guidance, dreams now tend to be held in the domain of psychology which demands a scientific approach. But could dreams be mystical communications, genuine experiences of the mind and spirit, freed from the confines of the body during sleep? Are dreams secret messages from a Higher Power? Figments of our own imagination or memories of experiences in the spirit world?

Sigmund Freud believed that dreams were not just casual occurrences, but revealed important information about the dreamer during sleep when the mind’s conscious defences were off guard. He felt that dreams were about conflicts and anxieties, but were disguised in symbology to preserve the sleep of the dreamer. His dream interpretations consisted primarily of examining the story and content of dreams to search for clues to these unconscious conflicts and anxieties. Many analysts, and even naturopathic doctors today, still utilize dream symbols as indicators of one’s mental or physical state of health.

Carl Gustav Jung developed some of the most fascinating and thought provoking psychological theories. Jung was an analyst through his studies of psychology and medicine, but he was also an authority on mythology and religion. Jung originated these theories and psychological concepts:

  • ARCHETYPE - A universal symbol
  • PERSONA - The mask which hides our true self
  • SYNCHRONICITY - Meaningful coincidence
  • COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS – A group record of all human experience

Most interestingly, Jung developed his theory of the ‘collective unconscious’ from deductions he made from one of his dreams. Our personal unconscious is separate from the collective unconscious, but he thought that instincts and archetypes make up the collective unconscious, and that archetypes were universal symbols of human experience. Rooted in our personal unconscious is what he described as racial memories, passed on genetically with each successive generation, and that these racial memories were also held in the collective unconscious. Many reincarnationists believe that Jung was speaking of the ‘Akashic record’ or ‘Akasha’ (from the Sanskrit language), a theoretical repository of all human and spiritual experience both personal and universal.

Regarding dreams, Jung said, "We all dream, as we all breathe." He was the first psychologist to think of dreams as creative and relevant to understanding events in our waking life. He thought that dreams were rooted in our personal unconscious minds, which he felt were limitless and that it was in our unconscious mind where humankind would make great discoveries. If one is serious about studying dreams, Jung is recognized as an authority on the psychology of dreaming, yet unlike many psychologists of his day, Jung also explored the mystical side of dreams.

There is room for both a psychological and mystical explanation of dreams. Many dreams may just be a partial replaying of daily events as your mind takes the time to ‘reorganize’ thoughts and experiences during sleep, yet too many people throughout history report that dreams have been part of a personal mystical experience and the quantity of these reports deserve serious consideration.

So, what is a dream? Well, there is much more answer to that question than given here, but in future columns I hope to provide further insight on the variety of dreams people experience. Why do we dream? That answer no one knows for sure but through interpretation of individual dreams, and the exploration of dreams in general, one may find an answer that is satisfying enough.

Dream Interpretation
RW writes: I used to have this recurring dream quite often. What is strange is that I don’t have the dream anymore but I’m still curious about its meaning. The dreams were different in a lot of details but the gist of the dream was that I would be out somewhere driving my car and it would stall and I couldn’t get it started again, or I would leave it parked, come back and I would have trouble starting it. In real life, my car is not an obsession and I don’t neglect it when it needs service. I’m kind of glad I don’t have it anymore, but do other people have this kind of dream? 

Answer: Yes, dreaming of car trouble is classic dream symbology at work. I know that many people have dreams of car trouble; some only once but many others experience it as a recurring ‘car trouble’ dream and here’s likely why: To many people, and especially to men (as in RW), a car is a symbol for their own body. Women may not immediately agree with a car as a symbol of self (or maybe they will!), yet the unconscious mind works with both personal and universal symbols in dreams. A car is a vehicle for people as much as one’s body is a vehicle for the soul and it seems that the unconscious mind makes that connection even if we don’t consciously. What intrigued me about RW’s dream was that it was about the engine stalling or not starting. A mechanic can tell you there are many reasons for this but to me, the engine is the appropriate symbol for the heart of the car. I suspected RW had cardiac problems and asked him if he had experienced any episodes of heart trouble. He surprised me with his answer by telling me that some years ago he had heart bypass surgery and he had just clued in that he hasn’t had the recurring dream since then. I was happy to hear his health had been restored - and that I had been proven correct in my interpretation.

So, if you have a ‘car trouble’ dream, take a good look at your physical health, mental and spiritual health and see if there is some correlation. Is your dreaming, unconscious mind trying to tell you that your conscious mind, body and spirit need attention? Your body is the vehicle of your soul/life and you need to work to maintain it. How well are you taking care of your vehicle? Maybe one of your dreams will tell you.

 

Rob Shaw
~ since the 1970’s Rob has been a public speaker and facilitator of holistic health and metaphysical topics such as astrology, meditation, chakras and dream study, rshawis@gmail.com. If you have a dream you would like explained write to
editorial@tonictoronto.com


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