Interpreting Dreams

The subject of dreams has long been a discussion not only in the field of spirituality but also in the study of human behavior. The study of behavior has long debated the nature and purpose of dreams.

Over the years, there has been several theories proposed by different researchers and behaviorists.

An example would be Sigmund Freud?s psychoanalytic theory on dreams. According to Freud, our dreams are a representation of our unconscious desires, thoughts and motivations.

Dreams are a projection of our repressed desires, buried deep in our subconsciousness. In his book The Interpretation of Dreams, he wrote that dreams are, ?disguised fulfillment of repressed wishes.?

Meanwhile, in 1977, J. Allan Hobson and Robert McClarley suggested dreams are a result of internally generated signals when different organs in our body are activated during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

There are so many theories about dreams in the world of Science but in the realm of spirituality, we have a concrete definition of what they are.

For many centuries, Tibetan Monks and Indian Yogis have been using Yog Nidra or lucid dreaming to explore in the basement of their subconsciousness, A lucid dream is any dream in which one is aware that one is dreaming and can utilize the extraordinary power of subconsciousness.

Dreams are our doors into worlds beyond the ordinary. They are helpful instruments in the unfolding of our true selves and are results of the development of our consciousness.

Our dreams are not meaningless. They contain symbolic images that express important meanings relating to a distant event or a recent occurrence, a spiritual matter, or a current concern.

Dreams can also be projection of our repressed desires, buried deep in our subconsciousness.

Some people experience divine beings in their dreams while others feel body sensations or see geometric forms, colors, mandalas and light.

Whatever the nature of our dreams is, they guide us not only in crucial events in our lives but also in the most little of decisions that we have to make.

To interpret our dreams, there are some vital points that we have to remember.

First, we must observe the general context of our dreams and identify whether they are positive or negative. Also, we have to consider that dreams do not only pertain to the present.

Dreams can also be connect to our past lives and also to our future. They can show us the possibilities that lie ahead of us.

Next, we should check the context for the presence of the four elements to determine whether our dreams are related to our actions (earth), thoughts (air), emotions (water) or spirit and vital energy (fire).

Likewise, it is also important to identify the four reigns of consciousness to know if it is pertinent to our needs or natural forces (animal symbols), memories (mineral symbols), feelings and emotions (vegetation symbols), or behavior (human symbols).

By nature, we have two polarities within us. We all have an inner man and an inner woman despite our genders.

With this in mind, we should observe which polarity our dream is connected to in order to identify if they are related to our inner world (feminine polarity) or exterior world (masculine polarity).

To know what the symbols in our dreams mean, we have to observe its characteristics in real life. If we dreamt of a house for example, we should consider what a house in actual life suggests.

Usually, a house is related to feelings of comfort, nourishment, or protection. Also, in order to recognize whether the symbols are positive or negative, we must observe if it is set in its rightful place.

For one, if you have dreamt of a house in the middle of a vast ocean that would be considered as a negative symbol since the house is located in an inappropriate place.

Next, with all these considered, we should try to make a connection between the symbols we have experienced in our dreams to our past, present or future.

There are many other effective ways to interpret our dreams and the approach we should take depends on the nature of our dreams. We should be observant and sensitive not only to the images or symbols that we will experience but also to the sensations and insights that we will encounter during our dreams.