Which Comes First - The Dream or The Choice?

[Dan Goodwin]

Do we have the dreams first, then interpret those dreams, which give us a direction to follow on a certain area of our creative lives?

Or do we already know at a deep level the direction we need to take, so we then somehow influence ourselves in having only the dreams that will support our choice in taking this direction, allowing us to take it with more confidence?

What are your thoughts?

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

I feel that we dream all of the time, and in those dreams we work out issues and problems our conscious mind can't seem to solve. We often forget the dreams we have, and feel that we have had no dreams upon waking, because the images or feelings didn't come into our consciousness. Other times, the dreams are so vivid and meaningful that we are quite affected by them and often moved to write them down so that we don't forget.

I feel it's a little of both, and works both ways. If we are considering a certain path of action but are not able to decide whether to commit to it, and then have a vivid, memorable dream, we can write it down and look at the message this dream holds for us to help us make decisions about our future. Other times, dreams may come to us with a message that may open our eyes to something that we may have been missing with our conscious mind. I don't know for sure if we are consciously able to influence the content of our dreams. I have read of people and entire civilizations (the Toltecs and others) who feel that being consciously aware during dreams (lucid dreaming) is quite possible and practice this regularly.

[Lin Neiswender]

I lean towards the view that our dreams point out issues or events for our attention, to help us work through them and integrate the experiences. More rarely, we have prophetic or "solving" dreams where the answer to a perplexing problem or an accurate vision of the future comes to us. I've had the solving dreams before and they are awesome! Dreams seem to me to be about the process of self-discovery, uncovering our true feelings and desires bit by bit. They have given me confidence I was on the right path.

[Dan Goodwin]

Lin, do you think then there's some part of your subconscious mind that already knows what's right for you - your true feelings and desires - and occasionally you get a peek at that through an enlightening dream?

If so, what can we do to uncover that deeper knowledge more quickly? Or does it just unfold at the rate that we need it to?

[Lin Neiswender]

I think you have to be ready for that knowledge. There may be issues that have to be worked through, or situations that have to be resolved before a breakthrough can occur. There are things in your real, everyday life that have to change before you can pursue your creative destiny.

Still, the enlightening dreams serve as a beacon to lead us on and encourage us. I know that I seem to "grow" more when I start paying more attention to my dreams and take them seriously for what they may be teaching me. Oh, not every one has a big lesson. But there can be patterns to pay attention to.

[Jules]

Being ready for that knowlege is important. I think it is equally important to just be open to it. I know there is a part of my subconscious mind that knows what is right for me. If I pay attention I will receive that message on a conscious level- in dreams, inspirations, synchronicities or random thoughts at the filling station.

[Tygur]

I think it goes both ways. I've had dreams where I made a decision first and then had a dream about it, and I've also had dreams where I was inspired to do something.

[Deb]

Hi Everyone

When I was in university, I participated in a unit called the Psychology and Psychoanalysis of cinema. No, I wasn't studying psychology. It was a media class studying mainly thriller type movies that we had to analyse drawing on the theories of different psychologists. Dreams were also studied and we were asked to keep journals of our dreams just for our own use unless we wanted to share them and it was also suggested that we write on a piece of paper, the question, "What is my bliss?" and literally sleep on it. Put it under the pillow then see if there was an answer to that question in our dreams. I didn't get one but I had a lot of personal things going on in my life then. Other students reported receiving answers and directions. Later on, when everything had settled for me, I began having unusual dreams that definately had messages within. I kept having one dream recurring about having a baby but I kept forgetting to feed it or it would disappear (which believe me is not like me). I was troubled at first and then I realised that the baby was actually my creativity and I was being told I was starving it. When I allowed myself to enjoy artistic activities, the dreams disappeared. That unit was the best unit in the entire course.

Regards
Deb

[Lin Neiswender]

Great that you made the right interpretation and got that cleared up! Wonder if the slip of paper thingie would work for us too???

[Dan Goodwin]

Thanks for sharing this with us Deb, I'm going to try the piece of paper under the pillow myself tonight and see what happens...

Dan

Maybe a few of us could try and start a new discussion about the results? Lin?

[Lin Neiswender]

OK, I'm game! Everyone????

[Dan Goodwin]

I'm just off to bed, having written myself a little message and put under pillow. Will report back in morning if anything comes of it...

[Lin Neiswender]

I'm going to write out a note too and see what happens. Have to get a pad of paper and a pen to keep by the bed. Must be prepared!