Dream Work
Dreams are a universal human experience that reflect our physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. Across cultures and history, dreams have been seen as messages from the unconscious, serving as a mirror of the self. Nightmares, recurring dreams, and dream symbols reveal hidden conflicts, beliefs, and even physical conditions. Working with dreams allows individuals to better understand themselves, resolve inner conflicts, and promote healing.
1. Purpose of Dreams
- Dreams, like breathing or digestion, are natural and vital for emotional and social survival.
- They align us with the present moment, revealing both our strengths and conflicts.
- Nightmares signal urgent inner issues that need addressing.
2. Dreamwork Process
- Only the dreamer can truly interpret their dream, but a therapist can guide with questions.
- Three starting questions:
- How do I feel upon awakening?
- What is the setting?
- What title would I give this dream?
- Dreams often reflect waking life events within the past 1–3 days.
3. Dreams & Health
- Dreams can reveal physical problems (e.g., illness, hearing issues) and emotional conflicts.
- Red flags in dreams highlight unresolved challenges.
4. Symbols in Dreams
- Numbers: carry symbolic meanings (e.g., 1 = unity, 7 = ambivalence, 16 = death/rebirth).
- Colors: linked to emotions and bodily systems (e.g., red = heart/anger, blue = spirituality/thyroid).
5. Recurring Dreams & Nightmares
- Repetition signals unresolved issues.
- Corrections can be made through guided imagery: re-entering the dream, facing the conflict, and rewriting the outcome.
6. Case Studies
- Adults: Dreams can uncover feelings of being trapped, fear of failure, or financial anxieties, which when worked through, bring relief and positive change.
- Children: Dreams reflect inner fears, impulses, and development. Teaching children to transform frightening dreams (e.g., defeating monsters) strengthens imagination and willpower, improving emotional resilience.
