First, I’ll discuss several theories on dream interpretation. In an online article published in January 2005 entitled “How Dreams Work,” Lee Ann Obringer discusses a theory from Sigmund Freud, a leading dream theorist. Freud believes that dreaming allows the mind to act out hidden desires, often sexual in nature. According to Freud, these desires would be expressed in the dreams through symbols that would resemble body parts or sexual acts. The same source also indicates that Carl Jung, another theorist, believes that dreams allowed us to reflect on our daily activities and help solve our problems or resolve issues. The most popular dream theory however, was set forth by Allan Hobson and Robert McCarley. The source states that they believe dreams are random electrical impulses in the brain that generate images from our experiences and our brain then makes sense of these images by making up stories.
Now that we have talked about what theorists believe about dream meanings and their origins, lets discuss some of the most common dreams and their interpretation. Several common themes found in dreams are shown in this video that I am going to show you. In Lee Ann Obringer’s online article, Obringer states that one of the most common dreams is one where the dreamer is falling. Obringer recognizes this dream as symbolizing a situation within that persons’ life that is out of that person’s control. Another common dream is being naked in a public setting or at a social event. The interpretation here, according to Obringer, is that there is something the dreamer is trying to hide and therefore feels exposed. According to the Why We Dream website, there is also a common nightmares shared by people where someone or something is chasing the dreamer. This indicates that the dreamer is running away from a problem that is bothering them. Yet another common nightmare according to the site is one where loved ones are injured or dying. The standard interpretation here is that the person represents a part of the dreamer that is dead or damaged.
Now that you have a better understanding of common dream meanings, I will discuss the process for interpreting your own dream meanings. The first step in understanding dreams is to remember them. This may be difficult according to the website WikiHow because it only takes the mind 5 minutes once awake to forget important dream imagery. The solution provided is to keep a journal beside the bed so you can record the dreams immediately upon waking. Once you start interpreting, ask yourself questions about the dream. How did you feel emotionally? Does it relate to anything in your life directly? Does it remind you of any situations? According to the website Dream Visions, the brain draws from your own personal experience and memories to form dreams and that although you may have dreams that include other people, those people are actually symbols of who you are. Answering those questions will help you understand the dream in terms relating only to you, the dreamer.
To sum up, I have discussed dreams according to experts in dream theory, common dream interpretation and how to interpret dreams yourself to better understand dreams and where they come from. The dream I had with my father dying, helped me identify a personal conflict within me that I was torn between, symbolized by the war. And the image of death in my dream helped me see a part of me that I was losing due to the choice I had to make. This new personal insight and inspiration was provided only through dream interpretation. With practice, anyone can learn the language of dreams and what they have to offer.
