Dreams are often seen as the product of our subconscious; whether frightening or enjoyable, the content of our dreams informs us about our conscious lives. They act as messengers and highlight areas we need to address or pay close attention to. However, many of us seem to ignore them, especially if they’re confusing and make little sense. So how can we alter our perspective on dreams and begin to use them to discover more about our lives? How do we harness the energy and images they reveal to us and learn to use them to get more out of life?
Some people are devoted to examining their dreams and keep journals, other wise known as dream journals, where they write down the contents of their dreams. At the end of a month or so, they are able to reflect on all their dreams and highlight any recurring patterns or images. It is then up to them if they take heed or ignore the messages encoded in their dreams.
Most dreaming takes place while someone is in a deep sleep. During our waking hours we are all preoccupied with thinking that the only down time our minds have is when we are resting. When we are fast asleep there is a break in the constant stream of thoughts running through our minds, thereby allowing for subconscious activity. Dreams can provide answers to life’s questions; if we pay attention we just might find the wisdom we’ve been searching for.
If we find ourselves continually dreaming of a place we’ve been thinking about visiting, surely it is more than a simple coincidence? There is much to be gained from listening to what our dreams reveal to us. If we take action and follow where they lead, who knows what good things lay ahead? We may find ourselves in a better position to take the next step in our lives.
As we go about our day, we sometimes have the unusual sensation of witnessing images from our night time dreams unexpectedly appearing throughout our day time lives. For instance, we notice a recurring image in our dreams turns up frequently in our daily life; at first, it is unsettling, but it’s a strong message nonetheless.
Our dreams are as personal and individual as our fingerprints. No two people have the same dream experience; they speak directly to us and no one else. Of course, there are certain themes that pop up that people share, like dreaming of certain animals, or remembering specific images, but although they have a shared meaning, what they mean for each person will differ. A dream dictionary is useful if you are seeking a general description or explanation of the common images prevalent in dreams.
There are specific meditative exercises which encourage the dream state. Some believe getting into a relaxed frame of mind can promote dreaming; such as, deep breathing and clearing the mind of the usual interfering thoughts.
If we remain aware, the messages encoded in our dreams can reveal much about our lives. If we learn to take notice of repeating images or themes, they can offer us extra help and wisdom.
