Was that only a dream that you had last
night? Did it scare the wits out of you? Perhaps it disturbed you
just a little, on the surface? Or maybe it seemed silly and
nonsensical, and you have no hope of making sense out of it. What do
our dreams really tell us?
Another type of dream is one we hope will come true or will visit us
again. Have you had one of those rare dreams that save or change
your life? Or perhaps, you have never recalled having a dream.
Notice, I didn’t say you never had a dream. Because when people say
they don’t dream, what they really mean is that they don’t remember
their dreams.
Most dreams are a bit puzzling so that if we don't wish to, we don't
have to take them seriously. But most past cultures, and certainly
primitive peoples, took dreams very seriously. One of the best
modern writers of dreams is Robert Moss – author of several books
from Dreaming True to Dreamways of the Iroquois: Honoring the
Wishes of the Soul. Robert does not have formulas or narrow
pathways to follow. He takes all pathways. And, every pathway can
have its own reward. Some dreams may be indigestion from last
night’s jalapeno spiced taco while others may offer simple solutions
to problems at work or school. Some dreams may foretell a new lover
or soul mate, and some may bring us possible warnings from (and
healing guidance of) the body and soul that otherwise would not be
detected until manifested in physical reality.
Realizing the incredibly varied ways that our dreams speak to us
brings a rich appreciation for the miracle that our brains offer us
when several billion cells fire in synchronism — and not only with
one image or scene, but often an entire movie! In modern culture,
psychology is one of the few professional fields that pays much
attention to dreams. However, psychology usually limits dream work
to interpretation. Many authors have written “cook books” for
interpreting dreams. But every person is unique, living his or her
life in a distinct way, and certainly it would be prudent — and much
more highly satisfying — to consider every dream as unique to the
dreamer. Likewise, any good dream teacher will emphasize that there
are many interpretations possible with any dream. Even when a gifted
person gives an interpretation, it is both dangerous and
disempowering to the dreamer to take that interpretation as the best
or only or most valuable interpretation. That is always the case
when we allow someone other than ourselves to author our life! This
is not to say “don’t listen” to others, but remember: the only
expert in your life is you!
Perhaps then, it is best to not look for interpretations at all.
Many teachers strongly recommend putting interpretations aside and
look instead for richer ways to explore these wishes from our souls.
Several authors (and possibly you have noticed this as well) have
recognized that a lack of imagination in facing the challenges of
living life, raising children, or pursing a rewarding career is a
major cause of dissatisfaction (and, often, lack of success).
Author Robert Moss is a life-long dreamer and teacher who has
developed a technique, The Lightning Process, for working with
dreams that I find very valuable. It is simple, respectful, and fun.
It can be done alone or in a small group of selected friends. One of
the purposes of the process is to stir and fill our imaginations and
connect with our waking reality — if that fits. Also, it often opens
our awareness in observing other aspects of life that we usually
dismiss. Anyone can do it. It can be satisfying and profitable in
making daily, as well as bigger, life decisions. And for those who
say that they do not remember dreams, consider this: when a space of
honoring dreams is created, we all begin remembering more of our
dreams and have the courage to share them with those who will honor
dreams with us.
Paying attention to our dreams and sharing them with those who also
seek to honor dreams can be a delightful, fun way of working our
lives playfully –– and doing it without having to be expert or
gifted interpreters of dreams. We humans have a strong tendency when
given answers or interpretations to close off further inquiry; thus,
we greatly limit the full experience and benefit of our own inner
wisdom.
Brugh Joy, M.D., introduced me to dreaming many years ago. My wife,
Patricia, also engaged me in dreaming life to a degree that
stretched me — often beyond my comfort zone. Both introduced me to
other avenues of greeting spontaneous signs from the world (or
worlds beyond our everyday mind) and communications with my heart.
One high point of developing a practice of honoring our dreams is
when we are nearly continuously aware, and when we include or create
bigger spaces than the one of our everyday mind.
We can honor our dreams because it benefits us, but we can also
honor our dreams simply to honor the magnificence of dreams and to
experience a fuller spectrum of life. Dreaming is a powerful action
beyond our wildest imaginations.
Raymond Veenkant teaches
and practices methods and skills for people who wish to be their own
healer and author of their own life. Contact:
raymond@CreatingCreating.com or
www.CreatingCreating.com
