Pay Attention To Your Dreams

I believe that all dreams have some level of meaning and value in our lives. Dreaming is not only the way the subconscious deals with our time-space, physical reality, but they often also have psychic or spiritual significance. I am a strong advocate of paying attention to our dreams, rather than just relegating them to the sidelines of our human experience.

Even our so-called ‘pizza dreams’ can hold significant meaning in our life. Pizza dreams are highly realistic and very bizarre dreams that we often believe actually happened when we wake up, despite them being outrageously improbable. They are called pizza dreams, because of the urban myth that we tend to have these disturbing dreams after eating too much pizza before we go to bed.

In working with dreams, the best thing you can do is to keep a record. Always keep a dream journal on your nightstand, or near your bed, along with a small, soft light and a pen. Whenever you awaken from a dream, write it down as many details as you can remember. This may initially only be a few key moments from the dream, but if you make this a habit you will eventually begin to remember more and more details from your dreams. Write everything down, no matter how weird or peculiar it may seem.

There are a few key things to remember when you begin the process of interpreting dreams. Firstly, intuitive dreams use symbolic language. There are a few general archetypes within dreams that are common symbols connected to the collective unconscious, but many symbols within dreams are usually individualized symbols.

When a man recollects his dream, it is like meeting the ghost of himself. Dreams often surprise us into the strangest self-knowledge…. Dreaming is the truest confessional, and often the sharpest penance ~ Alexander Smith

Look at the notes you have made in your journal and try to identify the symbolism. Ask yourself what does this mean to you personally? Dreams originate in your subconscious mind, so the symbols will be reflective of your own mental processes and the meaning you hold for each symbol.

Another thing that is important to remember when dealing with dreams is that for the most part, when we have dreams about specific individuals like a husband, spouse, friend, and coworker, the individual’s presence within our dream are often reflections of our own personality, rather than representing the person themselves. Too often people will conjure up elaborate stories about other individuals because of dreams, when the dream itself is meant to relay a pattern of consciousness within the dreamer. So, if you are dreaming about an individual, ask yourself what they represent to you at the time the dream took place, and what pattern within you they may be revealing.

Psychic Dreams

Psychic or intuitive dreams can bring forward information about the future, or about our own circumstances, that can be useful in our personal growth. The symbols can teach us how to more effectively engage in life and also let us know what to expect on our human journey.

These dreams tend to be heavy in symbolism. These are the dreams that often seem very strange to our conscious mind, but as we begin to contemplate the symbolism that exists in these dreams we begin to see a common thread that is speaking directly into our life experience.

Pizza Dreams

Pizza dreams are a direct effect of something within our lives. These types of dreams can identify areas of change for our lives, since they are direct ‘cause-effect’ scenarios. If someone is having a series of bad dreams it is very likely that these are associated with a behavior that the subconscious mind is highlighting for change. This can be as simple as television viewing habits, and as complex as relational dynamics and the need for more effective boundaries.

These pizza dreams are meant to assist us in making changes in our own lives. They are not punishments, but the subconscious mind’s way of helping us identify areas of life that could benefit from positive change.

These dreams differ from psychic dreams in that they usually have a direct correlation to our present reality, rather than being steeped in symbolism. These dreams also have a feeling attached to them that is directly related to our present reality. These dreams are meant to create a more mindful approach to life and to make necessary changes in our daily activities.

That which the dream shows is the shadow of such wisdom as exists in man, even if during his waking state he may know nothing about it…. We do not know it because we are fooling away our time with outward and perishing things, and are asleep in regard to that which is real within ourself  ~ Paracelsus

Spiritual Dreams

Dreams can often be a way for us to connect to Heaven, angels, and spirit guides. There are several stories throughout esoteric, religious, and metaphysical history that show us that dreams can connect us to the realm of spirit. Specific messages can come through these types of dreams and they can serve many purposes, from healing to the acknowledgement of how we are connected to Spirit always.

These spiritual dreams commonly have a different feel to them.  For example, with this type of dream we may awaken and feel lighter in our physical bodies. It is also common to feel more loving, more peaceful, and more joyful when this type of connection occurs. When we are asleep, we are more open to the subtle energies of the spirit world and this allows us to be more receptive to messages.

The spiritual dream does not normally have distinct symbolic qualities, but does share distinct messages with the dreamer.  These dreams can bring you closer to the Divine and spiritual helpers that can assist you in everyday life, and come as affirmations of your connection to spirit, or hold specific messages to help you on your soul’s journey.

I believe that all dreams have some level of meaning and value in our lives. I hope that this blog helps you understand some of the dreams you are having or gives you tools to use to better understand your visions of the night.