Dreams
DEAR READER: Among the letters I receive there are often some asking for help with interpreting dreams. I do want to be of help but for me to give individual interpretations is not only impracticable but, I believe, literally impossible.
Let me explain something about dreams in general and why I consider it impossible for me (or anyone else) to interpret your dream, without being able to talk with you.
There are several types of dreams. They are most easily identified if you are aware of the differences. There are two kinds of precognitive dreams: 1) Highly emotional, disastrous events seem to send a ‘shock wave’ which can be perceived by any sensitive individual, even before the event has occurred and whether or not it will affect the dreamer personally. 2) Personal precognitive dreams seem to be our method of reviewing coming events so that we are prepared to meet them in the way that is best for our particular development.
Many dreams are actually astral travel. Probably most people do such traveling at times. Certainly most psychically developed persons do even though they may not be aware of it on the conscious level.
“Costume” dreams or ones about a foreign country are often reviews of past life experiences of the dreamer. Recurring dreams that seem to be of a continued or serial nature are often this type.
Possibly the most common are symbolic dreams. These are the ones which are especially difficult for anyone else to interpret for you. You may be aware of some of the many books concerning dream interpretation which are on the market today. Some can be helpful if properly used.
There are certain symbols which seem to be almost universal in interpretation. Thus if you dream of a house you may be using it as a symbol of you and/or your life.
Snakes, probably because of the widespread fear of them, usually represent troubles and dangers. However, if someone who is interested in herpetology dreams of snakes the interpretation will probably be quite different since they see snakes as things of interest and beauty rather than fear and danger.
This illustrates how our individual reaction to the object which is being used as a symbol will demand a difference in the interpretation, and explains why your dream can seldom be correctly interpreted by someone who is not aware of you and your feelings toward the dreamed of objects.
Part 2
Sleep and dream research have shown that mentally-healthy people dream every night and that this dreaming is a part of that which helps to maintain good mental health. It is also known that the actions of yesterday and the events for the coming day are both reviewed so that the subconscious and the superconscious can each play its necessary role in evaluating and directing the actions of the conscious mind during the waking hours.
If we desire to work with our dreams, we can gradually bring much of this information into the ‘daylight’ and make conscious use of the insights and guidance thus obtained. As in most areas of psychic development, our goal or reason for wanting to work with dreams will be a vital point in how successful our efforts are. If we are truly trying for personal growth we have a high probability of success.
Just tell yourself as you drift off to sleep that you will remember your dreams when you awaken. It is helpful to have a notebook and pen handy to begin writing as soon as you awaken even if it is in the middle of the night. A flashlight may make it less disturbing to anyone else in the room. Continue to try over a period of time if you are not successful the first night.
Some people have found it very helpful to program themselves to get the interpretation too. Simply tell yourself that you need help in getting the meaning and often it will follow immediately after the dream itself as another dream or it may come to you the following day.
Another procedure used by some people calls for considering each person and object in the dream as a symbol for yourself. In this method, you review the dream with yourself in each of these different roles. This seems unnecessarily drawn out to me, especially with some types of dreams. If, however, you find it helpful by all means use it.
If you have already developed a more direct means of communication with your superconscious, however, you will probably find dreams only an interesting sidelight for brief study. The same information necessary for or helpful to your personal development can be received much more rapidly from your superconscious by direct communication.
So use which ever method is available and best for you at this time. Now, good luck, and sweet dreams!