How to Interpret Reoccuring Dreams

Dreams help you know your inner self better

It can be frustrating when you keep dreaming the same thing over and over again--and the dream isn't very nice. Any dream that your body or mind thinks is important will be repeated often enough so that you pay attention to it. Some people think this is how people can send messages to each other--through your dreams. Is that true? We don't know. But if a recurring dream is bothering you, you need to pay it some attention, or it'll just keep on bothering you.

Instructions

1. Schedule some time for your yourself where you won't be interupted. Turn off the phone, put up a "do not disturb" sign on your door and put in ear plugs if you have to. Even 15 minutes can be helpful.

2. Gather a journal and pen, or a tape recorder if your hands are feeling bad.

3. Take a deep breath and write down or speak the recurring dream. It's best to use present tense ("I am being chased by a lion...") rather than past tense ("I was chased by a lion...") because it helps you remember your dream better.

4. Look at the main objects, people, locations or events in your recurring dream. We'll call it the dream symbol. You can pick out as many dream symbols as you like--or you might center on just one. Write down or speak the first feelings or memories that you have when you think of that dream symbol. Write or speak without thinking about being grammatically correct or even making sense. You might not even be moved to write or speak--but you may want to doodle or draw while thinking about your dream. Just get it all out.

5. Take another deep breath and go back to read over what you have written, drawn or spoken. Relax and some words, images or phrases will seem to leap out at you as being more "right" than others. Your instinct will tell you this. You might not see anything leap out at you. That's okay. Try again some other time.

6. Check out some books or web sites about your dream symbol (see Resources below). This especially helps if you really don't know what the symbol means to you or if the presence of the symbol provokes extreme fear. In getting to know what scares you, you can often snuff out that fear.

7. Act on any messages you think your body or someone else might be sending you through your dreams. Use your common sense, though, and don't do anything dangerous or illegal.

8. Repeat as often as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• You are free to change your mind about what a dream symbol means anytime you want!

• Any recurring dreams about water, pipes, bathrooms or rain generally mean that your bladder is full.

• Sexually flavored dreams are normal. It is not a sign that you are going "crazy."

• Don't rely on dream interpretation books. They don't address how your mind sees and interprets the world.

• Don't take sleeping pills, alcohol or any drug (legal or illegal) that is rumored to enhance your dreams. They will make you forget your dreams and give you bad side effects.

• Don't worry about talking to a doctor, therapist or best friend about your recurring dreams. They've been there.

• Don't obsess over trying to get everything "right." Often just taking time out to think about your inner life leads to its own rewards.

Resources

• Read all about archetypes (which often pop up in dreams)
• Purchase the book, 'The Art of Dreaming'
• Myths, Dreams & Symbols--The Mythic World of Joseph Campbell