Do you ever wonder about the meaning of dreams?
For thousands of years and across every culture, people have turned to their dreams for guidance. Dream interpretation is an ancient practice and modern science is paying more and more attention to the world of dreams.
Some people say they don’t dream. But they do. We all dream, but most dreams are forgotten shortly after waking. Dreams can range from mysterious and comforting to sad and frightening. They are often intense and bizarre, and the contents of the dream can change rapidly.
What is the significance of dreams?
Our dreams are sending us messages while we sleep. They are trying to show or teach us something – something about ourselves. They are often related to our emotional states. Dreams are symbolic or metaphorical but always reflect our waking lives.
I understand first-hand the tremendous value of dreams.
As a child, I was fascinated by the magic of dreams, even the scary ones. Often, things I dreamed would come true. I have kept a dream journal for a long, long time. My dreams have symbolically guided me throughout my life. I ask my dreams for guidance before going to sleep. If I keep having the same dream again and again, it’s a sign that I’m ignoring something important in my waking life, such as unresolved conflict or unmet need.
As a counsellor, I have learned to pay attention to my clients’ dreams. Often, when clients talk about sleep-related issues, they spontaneously share their dreams… or nightmares. I invite them to explore their dreams and start working with them. I incorporate dreamwork into my practice. I encourage clients to engage and discover the meaning of their dreams. This can help them recognise unhealthy patterns and behaviours that don’t serve them well.
Dreamwork can be very therapeutic.
We often tend to dream of what we repress. It is much easier to explore difficult aspects of our lives in dreams rather than in waking life. Dreaming is a way for our brain, mind, body, and spirit to work through emotional and traumatic experiences. Dreams can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise know.
Are you curious to learn more about your dreams?
There are thousands of books about dream interpretation or symbolism but it’s important to examine your own dreams. Dreams are unique to the individual and represents aspects of you and your life. You need to learn the language of your own personal dream symbols. The more you learn, the more they will speak to you. But you must do your own dreamwork to get to know yourself better.
Dreamwork can help you to:
- Gain insight from your subconscious mind and express your deepest desires
- Explore and evaluate possible scenarios
- Reveal information about your emotions and thoughts
- Identify behaviour patterns
- Show aspects of yourself that you often can’t see when you are awake
- Facilitate access to issues or experiences that are too painful to explore in waking life
- Guide, inspire and give new ideas and perspectives
- Warn you about a potential problem
- Resolve inner conflict
Some tips:
- Keep a dream journal, diary or notebook. You can also use specifically designed dream app on your phone. It’s important to keep a diary of your waking life too. When you compare this to your dreams, you start to see how the two fit together. I like to keep things simple and in my dream journal, I have divided each page into two parts, my waking life and my dreams.
- Before going to sleep, set an intention to dream, “I’m going to dream tonight and I’m going to remember my dream when I wake up”.
- Ask for guidance. Ask yourself to dream about something you want help with. For example, “Please send me a message about developing my self-esteem” or “Give me a sign if I’m on the right career path”.
- Write down your dream as soon as you wake up. The contents of a dream can vanish in minutes. But before you reach for your journal, lie still and keep your eyes closed for a minute or two. What do you remember? Allow images and symbols to come to the surface. Pay attention to colours too as these can be very symbolic.
- Write down as much as you can remember or just key themes. You don’t have to write an essay. Sometimes jotting down single words that best describe the overall theme of the dream can work well. How did you feel in your dream? Scared? Sad? Overwhelmed? I often draw colourful pictures or images from my dreams to express my dreams visually. Remember to date your dream too.
- Review your journal every now and then. It’s amazing how quickly you start seeing patterns and themes. Compare these patterns and themes in your dreams with those you experience in waking life. For example, when I dream about teeth, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with me teeth. Usually, it’s an indication that I’m not communicating my needs in waking life.
- Dreamwork is a wonderful self-care practice and a great way to learn about yourself. It can enhance all areas of your life. Be consistent. You need to journal regularly to reap the benefits of dream journaling.
- Choose a practice that that suits your nature and circumstances. How much time do you have to explore your dreams? If you are busy, exploring just one dream every week might be a good starting point. Again, be consistent. You need to do this regularly. Please don’t stress if you can’t remember your dreams right away. Over time, they will come.
Don't underestimate the healing power of dreams.
To really know yourself, start paying attention to your dreams!!!
Eila Mikkonen
Counsellor, Coach & Mental Fitness Facilitator