WE ARE BROKEN » broken dreams

Dreams – Do They Have a Meaning?

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:00:52 +0000

There are too many recorded incidents to dismiss dreams as mere ‘vestiges of the day’ that get projected on the silver screen of the mind at night. For example, dreams have foretold impending deaths, saved people from certain fatalities, helped solve complicated problems, helped achieve some astonishing discoveries and inventions and have even turned the fortunes of many.

Our own experience also points to the fact that, at times, dreams do try to tell us something vital or important, but we are unable to comprehend them. The problem is that dreams don’t speak our lingo. They speak in symbols and require thorough knowledge of dream interpretation or a competent dream expert for interpretation.

In my years of experience in interpreting dreams, I have gained some immense insights into the meanings and workings of dreams. There are many, who claim that they don’t dream. We all do, only many of us don’t remember them on waking up.

Let us see some common dreams that most of us have dreamt at some point in our lives:

?          Exam dreams: Whether we are brilliant in studies or less than average performers, we cannot deny having had those frightful examination dreams. These run something like this: We are unable to reach the examination hall and the clock is ticking away; our pen just refuses to work; we just don’t seem to comprehend the question paper or recall the answers…the variations are endless. Fortunately, such dreams are not related to examinations at all. They suggest that we are being tested or scrutinised in some way in our waking lives. These may also be related to our self-esteem and confidence or the lack of it.

?          Chase dreams: Who has not broken into a cold sweat running scared from an assailant or a murderous mob in dreams? Howsoever fast we ran, the pursuer always seemed to catch up. At the exact moment of getting caught, we woke up with a start! Although these dreams can arise from an actual fear of being attacked, they often stem from our feelings of anxiety in waking life. These dreams indicate avoidance or running away from some unpalatable situation, rather than confronting it. These dreams are more common in women due to their physical vulnerability.

?          Naked dreams: Turning crimson with embarrassment on finding ourselves completely or partially naked in public in our dreams generally leaves us unsettled on waking up. Such dreams are often a reflection of our lack of confidence or self-esteem in real life. We may be hiding something and are afraid that others might discover it by seeing right through us. Nudity also symbolises our fear of getting caught or exposed in something that we have done. This dream can have variations, which can range from embarrassment to feeling proud about your nakedness in public. Each, of course, has different interpretation.

?          Falling dreams: Almost all of us have experienced getting scared out of our wits while plunging down from dizzying heights in our dreams. No amount of convincing can rid us of the fear that we will not actually die if we do not wake up before we hit the ground! Falling can be of two types – one when we wake up alarmed before we hit the ground, the other when we do a soft landing, slowing just before the point of impact. Both have different interpretations. Generally, falling is an indication of insecurity, instability and anxiety. Such dreams occur when we feel overwhelmed and out of control in some situation in our waking lives.

?          Dreams of losing teeth: Dreams of falling teeth are quite common. These may take the form of teeth crumbling in our hands or falling out one by one with just a light tap. Such dreams not only horrify and shock us, but often leave us with a lasting image. It was thought that such dreams represented malnutrition, which may have been true for some dreamers. Actually, such dreams reflect our anxiety about appearance and how others perceive us. Don’t we all fall for that dazzling smile! Teeth are used for biting and chewing and represent power. To dream of losing teeth indicates powerlessness in some current situation.

Alas, dreams are certainly not limited to these themes. Just anything can be encountered in the windows of our mind. We are sometimes left perplexed by the very nature of our dreams – Why did I see a snake in my dream? What was my long lost friend, whom I had forgotten, doing in my dream? What was that woman, whom I had met only once, getting excited about in my dream? How did I explain this mind-boggling problem so simply and accurately in my dream? The dream content is infinite.

All dream imagery is symbolic. Each dream symbol is person specific. In other words, what a symbol represents for one person can have an entirely different meaning for another. This is the reason why dream dictionaries generally prove useless. Of course, a common streak runs through all symbols, but they have to be interpreted in the context of the dream content.

But, if you can relate the changes happening in your life to the kind of dreams you are dreaming, you can certainly take a step towards understanding the meaning. It will help you immensely by putting your mind at ease.

So, don’t let your dreams go waste, you never know what you will unravel. Great opportunities and fortunes await those who are able to interpret their dreams.

Goal Setting – The Road to Dreams

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:36:44 +0000

But first we have to establish where we want to go and have a definite time frame regarding when we want to accomplish them. From there we will have to determine what steps we will need to make to get us to our potential dreams.

An example of this is if we decide we want to be a teacher; we know it will take us four years to get our Bachelor’s Degree. If we wish to get our Degree more quickly we may have to attempt to take more than the recommended courses each semester. We might also enroll in a summer semester as well. The Teacher’s Practicum Program differs in length depending on which university we are enrolled in so this may determine where we go. This potential dream can be broken down into short-term goals by determining which classes to take by a certain date with the long-term completion being done within a definite time period.

If instead our long-term goal may be to own a home in a particular neighborhood by the time we are forty; if we are only twenty-five we would have to determine what our short-term goals will be in order to achieve this dream. What position we are in when we first establish this as a future dream will determine what necessary steps will need to be taken to accomplish our reality. If for example we have neither education, job or a starter home, the task will be a little more daunting. It may be at that time necessary to make the decision of whether the goal is realistic. But it need not be considered an unrealistic goal if the time frame is of a sufficient length. A job would be the first step towards achieving the final accomplishment; secondly it will be necessary to begin a savings program for the down payment of a starter home, perhaps a condo, and then to gradually build from there.

Long-term goals can be determined for ten, twenty or thirty years in the future. Whatever the length of time determined for accomplishment of the goal, it is always important to have at least one dream because without a dream, life will have no zest for us. A goal can be based on a career, education, our financial situation or a personal dream such as being married or having children by a certain age.

Once the ultimate dream has been determined, stepping stones to accomplishing the goal can be broken down into achievable segments. During this process daily, monthly and yearly lists become useful tools, reminders and motivators.

But it is important to remember to stay focused when we have goals and to never let our dreams die.

The Dreamer and The Dream

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:19:45 +0000

The day dawns and in the early morning there is a strong sense of peacefulness that permeates across the expanses. The sky is new and clean, the colors are crisp and fine in detail. We look towards a slight hill and see where open grassy fields meet a wooded area. Mist sits heavy in spots that are the lowest amongst the tree trunks. There is every so slight a breeze that plays with the mist, making it appear as though the mist has fingers that move to some unheard song. The wooded land is made from many trees standing tall together. There are bushes and plants that live amongst the tree roots, giving the floor of the woods a touch of life that is reflective of the splendor of life that is the canopy above. This wooded place holds an appeal that draws us towards it. So peaceful it looks from the outside. Songs grow louder in our approach as the many birds that celebrate the new day chirp out their pleasures. These trees are filled with life and there are so many possibilities therein. One can only move to enter these woods and see what it holds within its borders.

The air is cooler in the woods; Cooler but not unpleasant. There are trees of many varieties growing together. The dew drips from leaf and needle in irregular rhythms adding to the sounds of the forest. Life is teaming in every way within these trees. We make our way with little effort to the center of this place. There is a tree that stands taller then the others. It has a thick trunk and branches heavily laden with so many leafs. Hands on hips, neck arched back as far as it goes, we look up and up to try to take in the wonder of this beautiful tree. Standing there, breathing in the fresh air, surrounded by the music of life that is this forest, stretching our arms out as big as we can, we close our eyes and take a big breath of air. We are struck with the thought that all is perfect here beneath this great tree in the center of these woods. We call out to no one in particular ‘this is perfect’. And land on our backside in surprise when we are answered ‘what is perfect?’.

From its great height, the tree that stands so much taller then the rest bends forward, revealing a giant face in the wood. A face who’s great eyes are focused on us as it moves close to see who is at its trunk. What does one do when a tree suddenly comes alive and begins to speak? In a slow speaking voice, it repeats its question, “What is perfect?” What does one do? …One answers the question. We say what we have observed. We tell the tree, “This place is perfect. The air is fresh and clean. There is life in everything. The trees here are full of beauty and live harmoniously together. There is only the sense of peace in these woods.”

The tree replies in its deep, rich voice, “Ahhh. I see. You see peace and harmony do you?” Extending a branch that is wide and sturdy he says, “Come, perch upon my limb so that I may show you a thing or two.” When a great tree asks for you to sit on one of its branches, it is a good bet that the best thing to do in a situation such as that, is to adhere to its request and sit on its branch. High up into the tree tops we are lifted. From here we can see the expanse of this forest. The great tree speaks to us again and says, “What am I? Am I a tree or am I a forest? All around me I see trees. Every tree is my idea and my creation. I have many ideas and therefore many trees are present. In each tree, there is my dream. Look to the west…” He adjusts us so that we may better see towards the west. “… There, you see that tree with no leaves. The one that the sun has bleached white and that has fallen against the tree beside it, which in turn, has been pushed into the tree beside it. That is a dream the coldness of life has killed. Not only is it dead, it effects and weighs down the dreams around it.” We are moved towards the north. The great tree says, “There, in the north, you see several trees that are smaller then the rest. Their needles and leaves are sparse. They can not grow into fullness. The soil there is not rich enough to give the opportunity for them to grow into fullness. Those are my dreams as well.” We are then shown the trees to the south. The great tree continues, “There is a hollow over there. In it the trees compete to get the most sun so that they may grow fuller then the rest. See how their branches crossover each other so that they may prevail. Those trees use much of their resources to prevail and in doing so, they hold each other back. Those are dreams that are in conflict with one another. Those are parts of me. I see this happen yet I feel unable to stop it from continuing.” The branch we sit upon is moved towards the great face of the tree. It says, “What say you now? Is it harmony you still see?”

Glancing around us at the forest, now light by the mid morning sun, we see the trees with new eyes. Looking back to the face of the great tree we say, “You asked the question whether you are a tree or a forest. It is confusing to us what the answer may be. The trees around you are your dreams. You showed us a broken dream, dreams that are not possible, and dreams that interfere with each other. We can only see these woods as something very much different from what we saw before you revealed to us its nature. Still, is there not a harmony found here? There are many trees that are strong and have reached fullness is there not? Isn’t there still a balance of good and bad?”

The great tree responds after making a long sighing sound. “There is truth in what you say, to be sure. But I can not find myself anymore among my dreams. I have so many and no longer can see the tree from the forest. Dreams have a way of interacting with themselves that leave me feeling as though I am without the choice of what dream I desire most of all. I want to feel important and strong and that I matter. My dreams are so many that I have forgotten where they begun and I left off. I am a forest I think and a tree no longer. How can I be important and strong and matter now I ask.”

Looking at the saddened face of the great tree we experience its pain. “Great tree…” We say, “You are important. You are strong. And most important of all, you do matter. You are the dreamer and your dreams are what you make them to be. You are a tree and this forest is you. Dreams may come and go and are always subject to the world around you but you are the source of this creation. There is life abundant in you and beauty surrounds you. It may be that you have only forgotten to look at it in this way. You did not show us the east. We can see form here that in the east, your dreams are strong and are full in their splendor. If you were to stand alone, you would still be magnificent. Your dreams, all of them in every direction, add to your magnificence. It is easy to see a forest and not a tree but that does not reduce the meaning of you, the dreamer. You are every potential that can be and have opened the way to greatness by allowing your dreams to be as they may be. Some dreams work out, some don’t but every dream is a part of you. And it is plain to see that new dreams are always being seeded here. Yes great tree, we still see perfection here. You are perfect in being.”

The great tree closed it eyes and stood taller, remaining quiet for a few moments. Making a sound like the wind moving through its leaves, it appeared the tree was pleased with our words. Slow beads of sap began to weep from the corners of its eyes. The branch that was our perch is lowered to the ground and we step off. The great tree bends so that it may face us and says, “Thank you my friends. You have reminded me who I am again. I have always been that which I have wanted to be the most. I allowed myself to be distracted by my dreams, losing myself by holding on to the very ideas I created. My forest is made from all manners of my thoughts, but are not greater then I. I see now I must allow them to be but give them the freedom to be without rooting them too deeply in my own expression o
f being. I will always be the dreamer and my dreams are the foliage that decorate my existence. I am glad you entered my dreams today. You have helped me greatly.”

Feeling a warm rush of pleasure from the great tree’s words, we reach out and touch the great trunk of this wonderful tree. “It is our greatest joy to have entered your world and to have seen your splendor. All are subject to these same troubles in life. We all lose ourselves in our dreams great one and all need a friend from time to time to help us see who we are. You have helped us just as much and for that we are grateful. Thank you for sharing with us your dreams this day. You are what matters and your dreams reflect that. And this forest is a beautiful world of dreams.”

The sun tells us it is past noon. The day has warmed considerably. We leave this great place for home and we take with us the sense that everyone is the dreamer. The dreamer creates the dreams and the dreams exemplify the dreamer. We mustn’t allow ourselves to over identify with our dreams less we loose our sense of who we are. Life is a splendid in its many acts and those acts dreamt should be shaped by us and not us by them. The dreamer is like the wind in the trees and the dreams need only to shake and rustle like leaves to come into fullness. And there is nothing more important then knowing that.