Why do People Dream? Understand the Meaning Behind Dreams ~ This online dream course guides you towards healing through dreams and problem solving through dreams.

"All we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." ~ Edgar Allen Poe

Understanding Waking Life through Your Nightly Dream Symbols

By Laura V. Hyde

Would you agree that when you're dreaming, it feels very real? And when you're awake, that feels real, too? Sometimes it can be challenging to distinguish your nightly dreams from your waking life. Let's examine how dream analysis can help you to better understand your waking life.

One of the reasons it can be challenging to distinguish your nightly dreams from your waking life is that symbols are all around you, whether you're sleeping or awake.

Understanding Symbols while Asleep and Awake
Here's an example: You're having a nighttime dream and a songbird appears. This might indicate a need for more song, joy or music in your life. Or, perhaps you're already embracing more happiness in your life and the songbird is testimonial to that fact. Well, in your waking life, a songbird appearing would mean the same thing. There's really no difference. Symbols retain their meaning whether you're asleep or awake.

One of the best ways to understand your nightly dreams is to become more aware of your waking life. And, the reverse is true as well. This may sound strange, but it really works.

Dreams and Problem Solving
For example, when a situation occurs in my life that I don't understand, I first look at the symbols, environment and feelings that I'm experiencing, and then try to glean some useful information from all of it. If I'm still confused about the situation, I look at it as though it were a dream. Observing it as a dream allows me to step back from the situation so I can become more objective. And I may even take it one step further by looking at the situation as though it is someone else's dream.

Let's try it right now.
Begin by becoming aware of the meaning of the environment you're in this very moment. Begin by rising above the present situation and seeing it as though you're looking down on it.

What do you see?
Notice the symbols and environment. Also, become aware of your feelings and perceptions about the situation. What are you feeling in this very moment? Jot down whatever you're feeling.



Next, what are some of the symbols within the situation?
Since we're focusing on what you're doing in this very moment, you might notice the room you're in, your computer, pen, my presence as a teacher and so forth. Jot down the symbols that stand out.



Now, looking at this present situation as a classroom, what are you experiencing?
The world is a huge classroom for us to learn from so applying this concept to your life may be helpful. Within this classroom, what are you learning and how would you assess the situation?



One interpretation might be that you're interested in self-growth, both spiritually and emotionally and that you are willing to expand your awareness. This would imply that you are at a point in your life where you are open-minded, willing to move forward and delve deeper.

Understanding the Meaning Behind Dreams
Now, if you had a dream about the above situation, wouldn't have the same meaning behind it?

You can apply this technique to every area of your life, no matter where you are. Practice understanding your waking life this week. Watch the symbols, observe your perception of them and keep an open mind. By doing so, you will advance your understanding of your nightly dreams a hundred-fold.

Not only will you better understand your nightly dreams, you'll begin to better understand your entire life. This will heighten your consciousness and allow you to resolve issues before they become problems.





Can you share a "waking life symbol" and what it meant to you with the rest of us?