Aloha everyone! Later posting this week, as I have been busier with school and life things. Thanks as always for being patient to the ebb and flow of life! This week I would like to talk about our dreams and their importance. Like most things that I write about on this page; this has been relevant to my life for the last couple of months. Before this, I did not think too much about my dreams. But, as I have gone deeper into my graduate program as well as other aspects of my life, I have realized that dreams have quite a significance to our psyches. Carl Jung (famous psychiatrist) talks about dreams as “the road to the unconscious”. Dreams can actually teach us a lot about ourselves if we make the choice to look at them.
What are dreams? Firstly, I am not an expert and I do not pretend to be. To be honest, this is all quite new to me as well, so I will give my interpretation of what I have learned so far. However, we can look into the definition of dreams more; especially as they will be studied deeper in years to come. Dreams happen when we are asleep. They can also happen when we are awake (according to some theories) but more on that later. The reason why dreams seem crazy and irrational to us sometimes is because our prefrontal cortex is turned off when we are dreaming. The prefrontal cortex is in charge of decision making and social behaviors; hence a lot of rationality. But other parts of our brains are still very much active, especially during REM sleep or Rapid Eye Movement, when dreaming occurs. Most of us say we do not remember our dreams when we awake. In fact, according to Medical News Today, around 95% of dreams are forgotten by the time a person gets out of bed.” Wild!
Why are dreams important? Dreams are important because they help us to connect with our deeper selves. Most of us are so busy in our daily lives with demanding schedules that we simply push who we are to the back; just so we can get through our days. Dreams can help us remember our connection to ourselves, to others, and to the greater universe through the meaning and messages that are derived from them. Some people think that we dream, but another perspective is that dreams come to us! They may come to convey something important about our lives or the greater whole. We are all connected to one another (including other species) and our dreams can help us to solve problems that we have been having trouble finding solutions too. (School, relationships, climate change, math, etc.). They may also ask us to take action somewhere in our lives. It is important to not only look at what the dream is telling you, but think of yourself as an observer in the dream. Perhaps try to recall what you noticed: the landscape through your senses, other characters, how the dream made you feel. This can help you to go deeper into the dream and to recall more.
I have been keeping a dream journal. When I wake up in the morning, I notice first how my body feels. Try to do this without thinking much about it, just feeling. Sometimes I feel heavy and fuzzy; sometimes nauseous. It all depends on what the dream was trying to tell me. I also try to notice what position my body is in. Sometimes if you get back into that same position later, it is easier to recall your dream. Then I write in my journal for a while on what the dream was and what I noticed about it. I also always tell my partner what my dreams were when I wake up; this has helped me to remember them more! As far as deciphering dreams, try to figure out the meaning yourself first. Maybe look back into your journal and notice anything that subtly arises. Try not to think so logically! Think right brain! If you still are stumped, chatting with someone always helps too.
When we look into our dreams, we can see that they are not just random. We see that they have immense meaning; just like anything in our lives. When we slow down and really look within us, we begin to see the magic not only within every day, but within all days! Dreams have helped me to notice more and connect the dots of my inner and outer worlds.
Thanks as always for reading! Feel free to comment, message, share, etc. I will leave you with another quote from Carl Jung, “Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
Peace homies,
Rylee
Here is a link to the website I got my quote from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284378#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
