How to Interpret a Dream

Easy A

I signed up for what I thought would be an easy elective my sophomore year of college,

Dream Interpretation 101.  “This is going to be the easiest A I’ve ever made!” I thought, much too arrogantly, to myself.  Oh how little I understood about the territory I was entering!

Day one included simple tasks such as discussing basic dream theories, the history of dream interpretation origins and being assigned to dream interpretation groups (di).  Our homework was simple:

Homework:  keep a dream journal and each week turn in one dream and your interpretation of it. 

At least I remembered many of my dreams whereas some of my di group members had to work at just recalling one.  We spent half of each class grouped up discussing our dream pick of the week and hearing feedback on our interpretation.

Pushy, pushy

Never, never, never, did my interpretation match the critiques of my classmates.  They always saw deeper than I was willing to.  The literal surface level of my dreams were all I was comfortable uncovering on my own.

But, each week my di group pushed me beyond my glass top wanderings and into the depths of my unconscious.

Soon, thanks to the assertiveness of my classmates, I was beginning to see patterns unfolding in my dreams.  Patterns that dealt with my deepest insecurities, darkest fears, and strongest longings.

Transformation

Learning to honestly and doggedly trudge the elements and emotions of the dreamscapes that I encountered propelled me into transformations that I had never imagined possible.

Do you long for change in your own life?

Do you wish for guidance and direction for the decisions looming ahead of you?

Then step into the world of dream interpretation.

Here are the basics that I have found over and over again to be true for anyone seeking to better understand their dreams-

The Basics about Dream Interpretation: 

1. No one can decide what your dreams mean except for you.
2. There are always multiple layers of meaning within each dream.
3. Nightmares are not meant simply to scare you but rather to awaken you.
4. If you have recurring dreams or nightmares then there is a specific issue you are not confronting that is screaming for your attention.
5. Approach each thing, person, and element within your dream as an aspect of yourself.
6. Keeping a simple journal to record your dreams is the quickest tool toward remembering more of your dreams and interpreting them well.
7. You must be brutally honest with yourself if you wish to truly interpret your dreams.

Still curious?  Take the application challenge below and dive into dream interpretation.  The applications below will help you delve into the next level of dream interpretation.  I’d love to hear back from you and learn how these applications work for you so don’t forget to contact or FB RevWren.

Application:

“A dream which is not interpreted is like a letter which is not read.” The Talmud

L1: leave some paper and pen by your bedside and record one dream.  It’s best to write the dream down before your get out of bed in the morning. Don’t stress over each detail just write a brief synopsis and with details that stand out to you.  Next, find a 10-20 minute block of time where you can sit alone with the dream write up and write down what you think the dream means. Finally, ask yourself if there are any parts of the dream that you are avoiding or resisting and why.

L2: Follow steps for L1 then sit with a trusted friend and have them ask you questions about the dream.  See what insights this friend has based on what they know about you.  Note any patterns that show up in your interpretation and your friend’s interpretation of the dream.

L3: Keep a dream journal for one week and follow steps for L1.  Then note any recurring patterns that emerge in your dreams.  Ask yourself if there is any new information about yourself that you have been resisting or hiding from that your dreams are bringing to the surface.

May the Road Rise Up to Meet Y’all,

Rev. Wren