How to Interpret Dreams to Solve Problems

Do you have a problem you'd like answered? Your dreams may be holding the solution. Learning to interpret the symbols in dreams have helped great thinkers throughout the ages. Thomas Edison kept a cot next to where he worked so he could take a nap and find solutions when he was stuck on a problem. You can, too. Here's how to start.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A dream journal
• A dream dictionary or online access

1. 
    
   Journal.

   Program your dreams. Journal before going to sleep. Write down any question you would like answered in your dream. If you can't think of a specific question, write "Show me what I need to know." After journaling, tell yourself right before you go to sleep, "I will remember my dream."

2. 
    
   Record settings, symbols, feelings.

   Record dream symbols. Immediately upon waking, write down numbers, colors, settings, people, and the feelings you had in your dream. Dream symbols are not always easily apparent. For example, little children mean new ideas. Water involves emotions. If you are camping in tents, this can be a play on word meaning a situation is "intense." Don't try to make sense of that yet. Just write down everything you can remember.

3. 
    
   Look up definitions.

   Look up symbols. There are dream books I have found helpful listed below, as well as free online dream interpretion links. Before you look for key symbols and find the definitions, use your own intuition. Meditate on the elements of your dream. You are your own best interpreter, but in the beginning, learning what symbols generally mean is helpful.

4. 
    
   Practice dreaming.

   Be consistent. Be patient with yourself and give the process a couple of weeks. (I have seen that when I use my dream material, I am given more.) A question you asked about on Monday night might not be answered in a way you see until Thursday night. After a period of time, look back over your dream journal and notice themes and your own personal symbols. Do you dream about water often? Are people chasing you? This gold mine of information may be just what you are looking for to help you live your best life.
   
   Sweet dreams.

Resources

• The Dream Book: Symbols for Self Understanding
• I Had the Strangest Dream: A Dreamer's Dictionary for the 21st Century
• Mystical, Magical, Marvelous World of Dreams

[Sondrac]

on 4/26/2009 Interesting article and well written. Thanks for sharing 5* and rec

[djackman]

on 4/17/2009 interesting and well written article on interpreting dreams and solving problems thanks 5* recommendation

[gahazeleyes]

on 4/6/2009 Loved your article. You did a wonderful job. Thank you for the titles of a few "Dream books", somewhere for me to start.

[papaya42]

on 4/2/2009 I always thought dream interpretations were really cool. Thanks for the fascinating info! 5*s

[cherold598]

on 3/31/2009 Excellent and well written information about dreams. 5* and recommend.