What you always wanted to know about dreams and their meanings
Every dreamer has asked questions about why we dream, and what
those dreams mean. While every dream is unique to the person who
dreams it, the world of dream interpretation is a rich,
fascinating and exciting one. We have included here some of the
most commonly asked questions about dreams and their analysis.
What is the significance of dreams? Yes. Dreams to have
significance in the real world. Dreams are told in a symbolic
language, and the images in dreams tend to contain hidden
meanings and hidden messages. When analyzing and interpreting
dreams, it is important to understand that the stories told in
dreams are symbolic and not meant to be taken literally. The
significance of dreams for each dreamer is a personal matter
related to each person's experience and emotions.
Why do recurring dreams happen? Recurring dreams are among the
most common types of dreams. Most often, recurring dreams
indicate that the dreamer has some issue that is not being
confronted in his or her waking life. Examining these recurring
dreams, and understanding what triggers them, can often allow
the dreamer to resolve the underlying issue and banish the
recurring dream.
Do most people dream in color? Most people do dream in color,
but many may not notice the colors in the dream world. Since
color is such a natural part of our normal day to day
experience, color may be overlooked in the dream world. In
addition, because dreams fade so quickly, the sense of color may
be the first thing to leave the conscious mind.
Do animals dream as well? All mammals studied have exhibited the
same brain activity that humans exhibit during dream sleep. Many
scientists see this as proof that animals do in fact dream,
although what they dream about is likely to remain a mystery.
How are dreams affected by our daily lives? Any feelings or
thoughts repressed during the day are likely to make an
appearance in your dreams during the night. For example, if you
wanted to show your anger to someone but were unable to do so,
you may express anger to that person or a similar figure in a
dream. In addition, those who have experienced traumatic events
are often troubled by nightmares in which they relive that
trauma.
Do men and women dream differently? Men and women both
experience the same brain wave activity during dream sleep. The
content of the dreams of men and women do differ, however.
Studies of dream content have shown that men tend to dream more
about other men than about women, while women tend to dream
about men and women equally.
Why do I remember only bad dreams and never good ones? One
reason is that the most vivid dreams tend to be those that are
remembered, and nightmares are generally more vivid than good
dreams. In addition, sleepers are often awakened by a
particularly vivid nightmare, and waking during dream sleep
means that the dream will most likely be remembered in its
minutest details.
What does it mean to dream about dreaming? Experiencing a dream
within a dream may be a way to deal with items from the
subconscious mind. A dream within a dream may prevent the
dreamer from waking up prematurely, and they often are
reflections of a critical issue that the dreamer needs to
confront and gain control of.
Will I really die if I hit the ground during a falling dream?
The many people who have described hitting the ground during a
dream about falling are proof positive that hitting the ground
in a dream is not a terminal experience. It is true, however,
that dreams of falling often wake the dreamer, and that is
probably where that old legend got its start.