0 What Do Dreams Mean

'To all, to each, a fair goodnight,

And pleasing dreams,

And slumbers light!' (Sir Walter Scott - 1771-1832)

Wrapped in our quilts, we usually feel safe for the night, but what if our dreams take us on a terrifying journey...seeming to play on our innermost fears?

Visions and themes we see in our dreams are supposed to be expressions of our unique psyches (psyche: part of your consciousness - intuitive - spiritual) and desires. The most common dreams are of falling, flying, being naked in public, being chased, missing important appointments and dreaming of dead relatives or close friends.

We dream most vividly when we are in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when our muscles are paralysed. This could explain why when we dream of being chased, we struggle to run away or cry out for help.

REM stages of sleep are important to maintain health. Dream studies (Oneirology) have found that people deprived of REM can lead to memory loss, hallucinations, and in severe cases, paranoid and psychotic behaviour.

The longest REM stage is just before we wake, which is usually the part we remember the most.

'Learn from your dreams, what you lack'. (W H Auden - 1907-73)

Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) stated that dreams are important messages, which are designed to be listened to and interpreted. However, some people are unable to recal their dreams, which is known as 'dream amnesia'. Sigmund Freud believed that when we are unable to remember our dreams, it is our subconscious protecting us from startling symbols and desires.

WHAT DO DREAMS MEAN IF WE ARE FALLING?

Dreaming that you are falling is interpreted as feelings of insecurity and lack of support. It can also indicate that someone has let you down in your every day life. This particular dream is most common among professional people.

Be cautious of analysing your dream and taking everything literally. Dreaming that you are falling off a high building, does not mean this will happen. The dream could indicate a feeling of powerlessness.

Teach yourself to understand the symbolic nature of your dreams.

Russell Grant, author of 'The Illustrated Dream Dictionary' suggests there is a close relationship between falling and failing. Dreams of falling can also be related to feelings of isolation, and a fear of being without support and love, which success cannot provide.

WHAT DO DREAMS OF FLYING MEAN?

Grant interprets flying dreams as boasting about sexual prowess. But the important part of the dream is how you fly; are you flying successfully, or struggling to fly smoothly? Grant describes the inability to fly relates to feelings of sexual inadequacy.

However, actually being able to fly in your dreams symbolises ambition, accomplishment and independence. And dreams of flying are often enjoyed by successful people. Flying dreams are associated with feelings of great happiness and power.

DREAMS OF BEING NAKED

Freud interpreted dreaming of being naked, as repressed feelings of sexual desires. To most, and not surprisingly, dreaming of being naked is disturbing, with fears of being exposed and vulnerable.

If you have ever dreamed of being naked in public, try and remember how you felt and how you and others reacted.

DREAMS OF BEING CHASED

The author of, 'Bedside Dream Dictionary', Candice Janco, states that this dream is the most common and an indication of a felt threat in your waking life. This can take the form of a terrifying person or a highly charged emotion, which you are having problems dealing with. To determine what this dream means to you, try and understand who or what is chasing you. Where does the dream take place? What are your feelings during the chase? Do you get away, or are you caught?

MISSING IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS.

Dreaming of being late or missing appointments can indicate regret over a missed opportunity, or an inability to create a connection, or desire.

The book, 'How to Use Your Night Dreams to Change Your Life', the author, Cynthia Richmond states; asking questions about your dreams, so you can try and understand what a common symbol or theme means to you. Eg, What are you missing? Who is disappointed because you missed the appointment? Is it only you, or are there others in this dream?

DREAMS OF DEAD RELATIVES

Maybe you dreamed of a dead relative who appeared as large as life in your dream. This kind of dream is called a 'visitation dream' and reflects a powerful connection with that person. Often people will finish this type of dream and get out of bed thinking their loved ones are still with us, which can lead to sleep walking.

SLEEP WALKING

There is a common misconception about sleep walking and dreaming. Sleep walking does not have anything to do with dreaming as it happens outside of REM sleeping (since our muscles are paralysed in this stage). Sleep walking only happens when our bodies are able to move again and we are out of the dreaming stage.

KEEPING A DREAM DIARY

Why should you keep a dream diary? Doing this will help you understand and interpret your dreams. You will then be able to recognise symbols and images from each dream. You will also discover if you are active in your dreams, or if you are a passive observer.

Sources: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-to-keep-a-dream-journal.html#ixzz1Codsceur

'The Little Book Of Dreams', by Joan Hanger - an expert on dream analysis throughout Australasia.

By J Reynolds, copyright 2011 @ World Mysteries & True Ghost Tales

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0 Over Heard At Brunch

Sundays around here are usually about Brunch with the clan. I tend to go twice a month. I do like myself I good "sleep in" the other three Sundays. Today, the Russian and I went to meet the clan for some Bloody Marys and some Eggs Benedict and all the usual gossip. And boy did the surrounding tables get a hearful. Somehow the topic came up about two being company,and is three a crowd, and monogamous relationships. Most at the table felt monogamy isn't possible, and feel that in the gay world, no matter how committed a couple appears to be, or how beautiful their life together looks, or even how perfect they seem, there always seems to be the threat of infidelity lurking in the background. and men don't really seem interested in sticking with just one person. The one guy at the table revealed that he is having some difficulties with his partner, who recently cheated. The other gay clan around the table began to laugh and suggested that he just wait. They told him that once he gets older, he will understand that we men generally can't be monogamous. They weren't arguing that it isn't possible, because there are those rare birds who never cheat in any way, but that monogamy may be too much to ask of anyone, and that everyone will have moments of lust or desire, and that engaging in sexual activities outside the relationship doesn't mean that you love your partner any less. Then it came to me. The colorful one most times. In most my cases, when in a committed relationship it was between just me and my partner, but in one case we did open the bedroom door for some kink with a third. But being on both side of the fence, I though it better to be the lucky Pierre going in, then part of the couple. If I'm committed, I generally like it being just me and that person only. My one friend gave me a look of quite surprise... like I was Robespierre loping off the head of Marie Antoinette YOU SAY THIS WHILE DATING THREE GUYS? And then he added my triad relationship I had years ago, but that's another story. I explained when the boy- toy and I split up after 10 years, I didn't want to settle back down right away, and now, I'm not in a exclusive relationship, plus I'm honest with my partners up front as to how much I want to offer right now. but the debate continued if men could be monogamous or not. The one couple at the table love each other deeply but both have side action and are honest with each other when it happens and also have a open bedroom. Others at the table had a problem with that. So it seemed at the table everybody was all across the table on the issue of monogamy in gay relationships and can men in general, gay or straight, be monogamous and what about the threesomes issue. Is it better to have them together or do a separate thing? I said all I know is when I'm commited, I'm commited. But right now, I won't lie, I enjoy the company of men, and good old fashion flirting is healthy. so there, that's it. I went back to enjoying my Bloody Mary. What do you think? Can men really be monogamous? And does it matter if there is real love and trust? In some cases sex is just sex, was their point.

Origin: dating-coach-anita.blogspot.com