What Is Dream Analysis?
Dream analysis is a therapeutic technique prominently used during psychoanalysis. Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud understood dreams being “the royal road” or gateway to the unconscious mind; developing a method using dream analysis as a way to access the unconscious mind.
Yet dream analysis is not a new age phenomena, but rather was a tool used by the ancients to predict and gain knowledge from the Gods. Thousands of years ago the ancient Egyptians understood the importance of dream interpretation. In fact it was so deep rooted in their culture, their dream visions were behind many important decisions.
Science community on dream analysis
The mystery of our dreams is still unknown, however the the scientifically still views dream analysis as a pseudoscience, they do however belief dreams help us remember things, be more creative, and process our emotions.
A known neurobiological theory of dreaming is the “activation-synthesis hypothesis,” which implies that dreams don’t actually have a purpose: they are merely electrical brain impulses that select random thoughts and imagery from our memories.
- Freud’s wish-fulfillment. Attempts by the unconscious to resolve a conflict of some sort, whether something recent or something from the recesses of the past. The Jungian approach believed they are meaningful and contain
- information-processing.
- physiological function.
- activation-synthesis.
- cognitive development.
Dream analysis psychology
Psychoanalytic psychologists see psychological problems as rooted in the unconscious mind. Psychoanalysis promotes awareness of unconscious, abnormal and habitually recurrent patterns of emotion and behavior, allowing past unconscious parts of oneself to become integrated and promoting optimal functioning, healing and creative articulation.
In psychoanalytic theory, dreams imply wish fulfillments, unconscious desires, and inner conflicts entangled within the storyline of the dream. The dream language often coded symbolic, mythologically and metaphorically, the psychoanalysis uses these images to gain further insight in what might be behind the scenes of the patient.
Carl Jung understood dreams being the psyche’s attempt to communicate necessary things to the individual, and highly regarded them as a way of knowing the dreamers main objective. Jung also felt that dream analysis was an important part of the development of the personality – a process that he called individuation.
Meaning of Dream Analysis
In today’s world where everything is literally one click away to obtain an answer, we have become so technology advanced in our outer world, yet barely give any attention to our inner world.
Whenever someone mentions interpreting their dreams we often think of crystal ball readers, tarot cards, or perhaps will get a Freudian Oedipus answer that you inherently fancy your mother.
But dream analysis is none of these things, in fact the benefits of tapping into your unconscous mind opens many doors to both your inner and outer worlds. By turning on a light in a dark room generally makes you more aware, but the other benefits that come with it are hidden.
Engaging with your unconscious every night will develop over time, it might start by pointing out your hidden flaws and ideocracies, but the deeper you go into the abyss you are one step closer to finding the truth.
Analyzing Dreams ~ What they don’t tell you
If one was to search online to find out how to analyze your dreams, you will notice a similar regurgitated generic methods on how this process — sure it sounds easy, all you need to do is keep a dream journal on your bedside table, or perhaps write down your emotions and guess the meaning. Yeah that will definitely wake up the sleeping giant that remains dormant in you.
After analyzing over 70, 000 + dreams in my life I have notice 95 percent of the dreams that are submitted are as interesting as watching paint dry. Half of these dreams seem to contain a plethora of unconscious emotions that they are unable to express in their daily lives manifest at night. The other half would be people trying to find out who this mysterious man is who shows up every night.
Though I do come across some dreams that make what I do worth while. Dreams that are so profound that match the symbolic images if one were to take a hit of DMT or Psilocybin mushroom.
Some of the more entertaining dreams that I get a charge from is when people around the world from various different religions and cultures dream of their dead loved ones visiting them. They speak to the dreamer in a coded ancient symbolic geometric language that is disguised as receiving gifts.
How to analyze your dreams?
- Step 1: Practice remembering your dreams. Most people say they never dreams at night because they don’t actively choose to remember them. Just by making an active effort your dream vocabulary opens; at first you might just remember a person’s face or maybe a feeling but over time this expands.
- Step 2: Write your dreams down. Keeping a phone close by or a journal so you can record your dreams the moment you wake up. If we lose up to 90% within the first minute so it is vital you try to mentally record first as much information as you can.
- Step 3: Pay attention to your inner and outer world. Socrates says “know thyself”, a need for introspection on a daily basis help illuminate and animate your dream world. Paying attention to nature, environment, intuitions and your surroundings gives you the opportunity to find the hidden meaning of your dream.
- Step 4: Practice mindfulness meditation 10 minutes a day. Just 10 minutes a day will helps relieve stress, increase dream recall, reduce chronic pain, and improve sleep. You may also try Qigong or Tai Chi for 20 minutes a day to help increase your spiritual energy.
- Step 5: Keep an open mind and trust your instincts. They say you are your own best interpreter — using dream dictionaries help guide you but it doesn’t mean it is the right answer.
Dream Analysis Examples
Depending your religion, culture, beliefs and life experiences dream symbols may appear differently from one person to a next. Let’s use the iconic SNAKE for example: A Hindu might see a snake a symbol of inner transformation, yet a Christian might see the snake as temptation.
Some examples of dream analysis according to Freudian perspective usually point words the phallic symbols such as guns, snakes, trains. Alternatively dream analysis of the feminine vaginal symbols include doors, tunnels, windows and purses. Freud’s theories however are mainly seen as outdated and not used in modern day psychology anymore.
Carl Jung understood dreams like an inner map of dreamer’s future psychic evolution towards a more balanced relationship between unconscious conscious connection.
What is dream analysis used for?
Primarily dream analysis is used for helping others find the meaning behind the issues they are currently facing. An inability to express how you feel or understand a situation at large, the unconscious will send you symbolic messages coded in geometry, mythological symbols and themes for you to extract the meaning.
The purpose of the unconscious seems to want to help you make something conscious to you to help find balance and completion in your life.