{"id":123,"date":"2015-09-14T04:06:38","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T04:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dreams123.com\/?page_id=123"},"modified":"2020-07-29T18:58:18","modified_gmt":"2020-07-29T18:58:18","slug":"dream-symbolism-interpretation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dreams123.com\/dream-symbolism-interpretation\/","title":{"rendered":"Step 2: Dream Interpretation & Story Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The interpretation of dreams is the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind.<\/p>Sigmund Freud<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Intro to dream interpretation<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"D3<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Step 1<\/a> of the D3 dream interpretation process you identify the dream’s story elements (settings, characters, symbols) and narrative components (action, reaction, resolution). It prepares you to look at each separately and generate ideas to help you interpret the symbolism and analyze the story in Step 2 (which we’re covering now). Then you put it all together in Step 3 when you connect the dots in context and reflect on your life to find the source and meaning of the dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn the dream interpretation process step by step. In practice though, you will end up jumping around. For example, during Step 1 you might get insights about the personal context or central idea<\/a> of a dream, which aren’t covered until Step 3. That’s great; you’re catching on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dream interpretation is a loaded term. It brings to mind psychiatrists\u2019 offices with leather couches, gurus in white robes, and mysterious psychics with penetrating gazes. Dream interpretation can be intimidating because it\u2019s a rarefied area of knowledge and expertise, but it shouldn\u2019t be such a big mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, a gifted dream interpreter and even just a trusted friend can see things in your dreams that you can\u2019t, and know things about you that you don’t know because, says preeminent dream psychologist Dr. Carl Jung, “Dreams are invariably seeking to express something that the ego does not know and does not understand.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s a powerful and true statement. Even Dr. Jung turned to friends and colleagues to help him understand his own dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"carl
A dream is an experience you create for yourself.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At heart though, dreams are stories and everyone can understand a story. Our lives as human beings are shaped around stories and personal narratives. Feedback about your dreams from a dream interpreter, or sharing with a dream group<\/a> can help you see what your ego can’t, but don\u2019t let anyone force their views on you. The power is in your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember simple fact #1<\/a>: You already know (subconsciously) what your dreams mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding meaning in dreams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s add another fact: dreams have multiple meanings and layers of significance. The renowned dream worker Jeremy Taylor<\/a> says there is no such thing as a dream with only one meaning<\/em>. Psychotherapist Linda Schiller says in her book Modern Dreamwork<\/em> that there’s always something new to be learned from a dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"J.M.<\/a>
https:\/\/jmdebord.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And I want to add a caveat to Dr. Jung’s quote. Dreams show you what you don’t know about yourself yet<\/em>. The dream is showing you something that’s trying to become conscious. Sometimes it can emerge on its own like natural childbirth, but other times this birthing process requires your effort and exertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m continually surprised by the new things dreams show me, even after 25 years of study and practice. Thank goodness, because it keeps me open to new ways of understanding. It keeps alive the mystery. I’m happy to teach you the mechanics of dream interpretation, but I want to avoid sounding like all dreams can be easily boiled down to a 1-2-3 dream interpretation process to magically know all there is to know. Dreams have deeper sources than brain matter. They can only be fully understood through deep inner exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, some dreams require time before the meaning becomes clear. Some dreams are about the future<\/a> and can’t be discerned until the time is right. And some will defy attempts at deep scrutiny. However, I am confident in D3’s ability to help you pin down the meaning of the majority of your dreams or at least give you a place to begin. It requires patience, persistence, an open mind, and the desire to know the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m reminded of another famous quote by Dr. Jung that goes something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t know what the hell other people’s dreams mean, and I’m thrilled when I can figure them out at all\u2014for myself or anyone else. But I’m willing to give it my best.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Dream interpreters help you remember what you already know<\/em>. That’s the only way to be sure that an interpretation is correct<\/a>: when the dreamer says, “aha, that’s it!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve found so many ways dreams can branch off in unexpected directions; never take anything for granted. We should always remember there’s much about dreams we can only surmise, and we will be wrong more than we are right — initially, at least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trial and error and try again. That’s the dream interpretation process. Truth is, every drop of energy and attention you give to understanding your dreams is a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So leave your ego at the door and open yourself to the deeper mysteries of life and consciousness. Put on your guru hat. And have fun with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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