At last, it’s time to explore the meaning of your dreams! We’ll begin by looking at the people in your dreams. Imagine that you dream of having an affair with Bob, a man for whom you have always had platonic feelings. Feeling puzzled, you might ask yourself, “What does Bob symbolize in my life?”
Let’s say you have been under a lot of stress lately and desperately need to relax. If Bob likes to spend most of his leisure time relaxing near the beach, your Dreaming Mind may have depicted you having an affair with Bob in a beach setting to represent your desire for union with nature and feelings of relaxation. Things could be worse!
Another woman having the same dream, might sift through her unique memories and choose the last place she felt completely relaxed. Hence, her dream may select a Hawaiian spa at sunset — with Bob. Another person might associate relaxation with camping — Bob’s in the sleeping bag. Yet another woman, in need of soulful peace, would dream of listening to the relaxing sounds of the ocean that seem to emanate from a giant conch, when, who should emerge from the ocean . . . ?
When should a Dreamer wonder if her night-time rendez-vous with Bob represents something more than just relaxation? If she finds herself dreaming of dear, dear Bob exclusively, or, all the time, she should probably invite him to go rock-climbing—if Bob spends any more time lying around communing with nature, he might transform from Beach Bob to Beach Ball faster than you can say “Bounce!”
Could Bob symbolize something other than relaxation or a possible romance? Yes. If, in waking life, Bob has a problem with alcohol, fights with his coworkers, and spends much of his time on the beach because he is too inebriated to go to work, he could symbolize the dreamer’s growing reliance on alcohol to ease the pressures of life. The dreamer may also have had conflicts with coworkers and could be trying to lighten the weight of her bad feelings through some form of drugs or alcohol. In this case, the dreamer’s union with Bob might represent her growing dependence on alcohol.
To better understand the role that people play in our dreams, let’s take a look at the following dream written in the present tense to heighten the experience of the dream:
DREAM DESCRIPTION
I am almost at the mountain’s summit as are a very old mountain climber and his wife, both with cloud-white hair. The three of us climb through the clouds now and hold fast to the rocks just at the mountain’s peak — the ancient woman is on the man’s right and I am on the left. The beauty of the mountain rising above the circle of clouds below, fills us with joyful peace.
Looking upwards, we see that the mountain continues beyond the peak. In order to reach the triangular cluster of rocks that floats several feet above, we will have to leap up a few feet through the air.
There, above the mountain, lie unparalleled heights — the true summit which we intend to reach. Once on the summit, we all somehow trust that God will breathe his loving wisdom and joy into our hearts.
Suddenly, the ancient man leaps onto the triangular cluster of rocks. “Give me your hand,” he says to me. “It’s very precarious here, so jump very carefully. There’s a place for you, here on my right,” he says pointing to a small ledge of rocks. “My wife can go there, on the left. Be careful now, or one false move and you could fall.”
I leap forward and cling to the rocks. His wife is to follow. Then the ancient man speaks, “After our time on the summit, we will leap from the mountain and free-fall for awhile before pulling the cord to release our gliders.”
Sitting there on the summit, I imagine leaping from the mountain and falling through the air so quickly, and being so breathtaken by the whole experience, that I am forty feet above the earth before I think to pull the cord that releases my glider. What if I were to pull the cord too late? Then, the ancient man speaks in a kindly voice, “If you are feeling mesmerized during your fall, don’t wait to open your glider and you will land safely.” I feel reassured, however, I also know that I must remain in a state of heightened alertness, since ultimately, I realize that I am the one who must remain aware of my position as I am falling. Only then, will I land safely on earth.QUESTIONS ABOUT DREAM PEOPLE
“The ancient mountain climber in my dream, is someone who is determined to climb a very special mountain with his wife. He is the kind of man who looks out for others. He seems to be a very spiritual person and is very courageous.”
◊ He trusts that God touches hearts in life-changing ways
◊ He is very courageous
◊ He is caring and giving in respect to his wife and those who are with him
“He is kind to his wife and others. I imagine that he would keep his body, mind, and heart ready for action. I imagine he would be a part of community projects.
He would also read books for inspiration and information. “
in waking life?
“I would never expect an ancient man, with hair like soft white clouds, to climb a mountain with his wife simply because he trusts that they will be filled with God’s loving wisdom.”
“I’m here now but it’s precarious. Give me your hand. There’s a place for you on my right. My wife can go on the left. Be careful now, or one false move and you could fall. If you fall, don’t wait to open your glider and you will land safely.”
Draw what this person is doing in your dream . . .
How are others relating to this person in your dream?
“Trusting his loving concern for our safety, we listen to him.”
“I feel nervous because in order to reach the summit, we have to jump from the peak we are on, even higher to the triangular cluster of mountain rocks that rises up separately. Once on the summit, we must sit leaning forward and hold onto the rocks to avoid a sudden fall. I also feel at peace on the summit, as I anticipate a wondrous experience. I feel nervous, however, since I must then leap off the mountain and remain keenly aware of my position in space as I’m falling, so I can pull the cord in time to land safely.”
“I love his kindness, his courage, and his desire to be filled with the spirit of loving wisdom.”
“I dislike the danger of falling that any unwary mountaineer faces.”
“My husband and my intuitive self.”
“I would hope he would remember to tread very cautiously while climbing the mountain, and to remember to pull the cord on his glider in the midst of his breathtaking descent to earth. I would hope he’d keep an eye on his wife and the third traveler.”
The Dreamer begins by closing her/his eyes and takes seven deep breaths.
Then, keeping her/his eyes closed, the Dreamer listens while the Dream Partner, using her/his words, tone, and pacing, restates the key parts of the Dreamer’s descriptive phrases and feelings.
If the Dreamer is alone, s/he rereads the feelings and descriptive words that she/he associates with this person.
. . . of any situation in your life?
. . . of anyone in your life?
. . . of some part of yourself? Perhaps an attitude or a feeling? If so, what?”
Dreamer: “The restatement reminds me of my own precarious but inspiring situation when I’m feeling on “top of the world” with my wondrous ideals that I hope to share with others.”
“I, too, hope to share my experiences with others. However, when I am inspired while working on projects, I sometimes experience a rapid loss of energy and “crash.” Therefore, I need to become aware that, when I am taking a big “leap” in my life, before I feel myself about to crash, right in the midst of all the excitement, I need to slow myself down so I can land safely.”
Understanding the symbolism behind your dream people may lead you to surprising revelations about your emotions, your family and your overall life situation. For example, tonight, a person from childhood who was a real “go-getter” may make a guest appearance in your dreams. This could indicate that you, or someone you know, is presently in that role as well.
To help you remember this new technique, post the Dream Exploration Recipe that follows, on your bathroom mirror for a week. If these questions about the people in your dreams help to shed light on the meaning of your dreams, add it to your Dream Recipe Chest. Understanding the People in Your Dreams
The following examples can be included under the “people” category:
Race — a Chinese woman, a Norwegian man. Occupation — A “911” operator, a laser specialist, a judge. Role — A baby, an old man, a stranger, a protector, a loving presence, etc.
___ is someone who . . .
Three key characteristics of their personality, occupation, role, age group, etc.?
What does this person mainly do in waking life?
How is this person in the dream different from the way you would expect her/him to be in waking life?
What is this person doing or saying in your dream?
Draw what this person is doing in your dream . . .
How are others relating to this person in your dream?
How do you feel about what is happening?
What do you like about this person, or like about their occupation, or role?
What do you dislike about this person, or dislike about their occupation or role?
In your waking life, who is in a role that is most similar to this dream character?
What would you change about this person’s personality or role in the dream?
◊ ◊ ◊
Close your eyes and take seven deep breaths. Then, keeping your eyes closed, listen while your dream partner, using your words, tone, and pacing, restates your feelings and key, descriptive phrases. Or, if you are alone, reread the key feelings and descriptive words that you associate with this person.Does this restatement remind you . . .
. . . of any situation in your life?
. . . of anyone in your life?
. . . of some part of yourself? Perhaps an attitude or a feeling?
If so, what? Explain how it is similar. QUESTIONS ABOUT DREAM PEOPLE
Draw what this person is doing in your dream . . .
How are others relating to this person in your dream?
I close my eyes and take seven deep breaths. Then, keeping my eyes closed, I listen while my dream partner, using my words, tone, and pacing, restates the key parts of my descriptive phrases and feelings.
If I’m alone, I reread the feelings and descriptive words that I associate with this person. Finally, my dream partner asks me:
. . . of any situation in your life?
. . . of anyone in your life?
. . . of some part of yourself? Perhaps an attitude or a feeling?
If so, what?