Psychology and Meanings of Dreams

There are many theories to explain why we dream, but no one yet fully understands the purpose and the meaning of our dreams. Dreams are mysterious and can be really difficult to understand. Our dreams can be happy, exciting, bizarre or frightening. They can reveal our deepest desires, our feelings, our fears, and our needs. Dreams are so rich and captivating, which causes many people to believe that there our dreams must have some meaning. Even though numerous studies over the years have shown that dreams most likely serve no purpose, dream interpretation has become increasingly popular.

Why Do We Dream?

There are numerous theories that explain why do we dream. Some scientists believe that dreaming has no real function and it's simply a consequence of other biochemical processes that occur in our body during sleep. However, there are also those who think that dreaming allows us to process information or events that are painful, dangerous or confusing, in an environment that is emotionally real but physically unreal. According to another theory, dreaming is an extension of waking consciousness and reflects the experiences of waking life.

Even though there is not likely ever to be one real answer to this question,one thing is for sure - analyzing our dreams can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.

How To Analyze Our Dreams

If we try to analyze out dreams we can gain a deeper understanding of who we are and our environment. If we learn how to interpret the symbols of our dreams and dig deeper into their meaning, we can find personal and spiritual clarity in our waking life. Dreams have the power to transform out lives, so we need to take the time to explore and understand our dreams. This can also help us improve our relationships, solve problems and inspire creative ideas and new inventions.

Here are several guidelines to help you interpret your dreams.

Record your dreams

This is the first step in analyzing your dreams. You should always keep a notebook and a pen by your bedside and try to write down everything you can remember as soon as you are awake. Keeping a dream journal is fun and easy, and it can also improve your awareness of the dream state. You will need to think about the location, characters, sounds, sensations and emotions of your dream. Then, write down all the memorable details and also sketch images from your dream in the dream journal. Another way to record your dreams is to have a tape-recorder to speak your dream immediately upon waking.

Put down the dream dictionary

You've probably come across a dream dictionary that features specific meanings for universal symbols, but the key is to figure out what the dream means to you. Even though there are some widely accepted interpretations for different objects and occurrences in your dreams, only you can understand their true meaning. Symbols can have different meanings for different people and your dream has a unique and highly personal meaning and significance that only we can uncover. When it comes to your own psyche, you're the experts, so you need to trust our own inner guide.

Of course, you can always consult books, websites, forums or other people for assistance and guidance. It might be easier to search up your dream interpretation answers online or in a book, but true self-discovery is about looking within you for the answers. Always keep in mind that your dreams have a unique and very personal meaning and you're the only one that can uncover the hidden message.

Consider all the elements of your dream

When it comes to interpreting your dreams you must consider all the elements and take the whole dream into context. If there is one image that stood out then start by looking up the meaning of that, but don't forget to look up the other elements that were present in your dream. The more information you can remember, the more accurate the interpretation of your dream will be. Don't forget even the smallest details of your dream, because they often have the most significance.