Have you ever dreamed of walking barefoot, flying, falling into a void, or losing your teeth? Follow this four-step method to decipher the hidden message behind the images in your dream world.
While you sleep, creating and watching "movies" that sometimes seem to be directed by Christopher Nolan is extremely intriguing. Their content rarely means what it indicates; rather, it tends to be metaphorical.
But how to interpret these dreams? The impulse to decipher them is strong because we think that, after all, what we dream offers symbolic messages about our very existence. There are some simple practices that can help us in this process, as they allow us to decipher the symbolism behind dream images.
Steps to follow to interpret your dreams
Have a strange dream and spend days thinking about it. Who hasn't this happened to? Interpretation is never absolute or certain. However, by applying the following practices, we can get closer to its underlying meaning.
1. Record what you dreamed
Dream memory is selective. Memory depends on factors such as emotional intensity or the stage of sleep in which you wake up. Instant writing helps you capture details before they fade. Therefore, keep a dream journal and write down the information as soon as you wake up. By capturing these scenes on paper, in words or drawings, you make it easier to retain the elements of the dream. Include characters, sequences, or objects in your recording, regardless of whether they seem trivial or absurd at first glance.
2. Discover the associated emotions
Identify how you felt when you woke up. Sad? Full of fear? Maybe motivated? Writing it down will give you clues about the emotional charge of what you dream and help you make connections. For example, nightmares would reflect worries or tensions in everyday life, as well as unresolved traumas. A night terror can remind you of aspects of your life that you may ignore or neglect. Another case could be waking up with a bitter feeling after dreaming of a dead loved one. This would have various meanings, such as simply missing that person, needing to grieve (for their loss or for another reason), or looking for guidance in your life.
3. Pay attention to the symbols individually and together
When interpreting your dreams, try to know how to translate what happens in them (apparent content) and hidden meaning (latent content). To achieve this, it is useful to examine the symbols separately and consider their interaction with the overall context of what you dreamed. For example, if you dream of water, reflect on how it looks. Was it a waterfall, torrential rain or a paradise beach? Was the water cloudy or crystal clear? Also ask yourself what you perceived when you were near or immersed in it. Did you feel like you were drowning and getting stuck? Freedom and convenience? Consider whether other elements, such as animals or people, influenced the atmosphere of the dream. Did they pose a threat or, instead, provide support and control?
4. Ask yourself questions to find relationships with your current life
Find out if there are parallels to events, challenges or feelings you have experienced or are experiencing. How can you relate this content to your life? You don't have to pressure yourself to answer with certainty and confidence, just connect with yourself and be honest. Suppose you dream that you are exploring an unfamiliar environment. Will it show your desire to pursue new opportunities? In what areas of your life do you feel the need for change? Have you thought about changing careers or dream of moving to another country? These questions help you personally interpret what you dream. To know how to interpret your dreams, it is essential to understand that it is a deep and complex process. The psyche is like a labyrinth; it is not at all linear and predictable. Therefore, note the following: Interpretation is subjective. There is no universal answer. The symbols shown may have unique meanings based on your personal history. There will always be aspects to discover or nuances that escape full understanding.
*This article was published by Bota.al and reposted by Tiranapost.al