Re: Recurring themes in dreams

Posted by Hal on June 01, 2000 at 10:33:53:

In Reply to: Recurring themes in dreams posted by Cory on May 31, 2000 at 20:14:59:

> Is there a theme, or motif which is always in your dreams? I think mine would be Fear, although not necessarily a nightmare. Most of it involves being afraid of something and complying to it. Like, last night I dreamt I stopped my car in the middle of the street, got out and walked a distance to talk to someone, but when I got back I saw a bunch of cars backed up behind me and a cop. I got nervous and ran to my car as fast as I could to get it off the street. I wasn't a jerk about it, in fact, I was very considerate to everyone because I did not want to upset them.

> Now, why couldnt I have had the dream where I started cussing at everyone and just left - leaving my car there? In my dreams, I always "give up" or "comply". I'm never rebellious or belligerent.

> Do you think dreams can identify hidden aspects of your personality? What do they think about mine?

> -Cory

I definitely believe that dreams can identify hidden aspects of your personality. I would probably say it in a slightly different way: they can reveal things that are bothering you, or things you haven't dealt with.

It sounds to me that your fear has to do not so much with the situation you're in (like stopping your car, or holding up traffic,) but more with how others think/feel about you, and how you feel relating to others. I've had very similar experiences (in real life, not necessarily in my dreams) of giving in when I don't really want to--it just seems to happen without my consent, as I find myself complying when I really want to bite someone's head off (so to speak.) Then I feel awful about myself later for being a wimp, not standing up for myself, not being true to how I feel, etc.

What my problem has been, and I suspect yours is too, is a fear of what others will think of you if you stand up to them, and what this will mean about who you are and how your future turns out. Will people hate you if you contradict them? Will they hurt you (emotionally or physically)? Will you end up alone and unloved? Does it mean that you are a bad person? It could be one or more of these, or something else.

Meditation has allowed me to take a closer look at these kinds of things. It's not a guarantee, but I always recommend it because I believe anyone can benefit from it. And getting back to the topic of dreams in general, I have found that since I've gotten more into meditation, I have far fewer dreams period. This is especially true at the times when my meditations are very active and visual. It's been suggested to me that since I'm looking at all these things in meditation, my mind/body/spirit doesn't need to experience them in dreams. I tend to agree. I've also found sleep to be very restful this way, and that I don't need as much sleep as I used to.

- Hal -

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• Re: Recurring themes in dreams Cory 12:08:26 06/01/00 (0)

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