Dream
Pictures
“The
basic idea behind Jungian dream theory is that dreams reveal more
than they conceal.”
Ryan Hurd
(“Dream Theories of Carl Jung,” Dream Studies Portal)
All of us dream when we
sleep. Some of us remember our dreams and some do not. And, some of
us write down our dreams and ponder them for their relationship to
our waking lives. I fall into the latter category. For more than
forty years, I have studied my dreams, and loved being in analysis
with Jungian Analyst, Nancy Qualls-Corbett for many years. Dreams
are, for me, and were for Jung, a symbolic language with depth and
meaning. I have learned a great deal about myself and my relationship
to the world through my dreams.
For instance, I dreamed
last night that I had returned to my home town to visit my cousins.
The cousin I was staying with was part of a country dance group that
met weekly, and she invited me to go with her to their meeting. When
we arrived, the young woman who led the group was not happy to see
me; a visitor inserting herself into their group. She insisted that
if I were going to be there, I had to dance. Since I didn't know
country dance, I asked to just watch them dance, and when I felt
comfortable, I would join in. The young woman balked. She offered to
give me lessons then and there, but I was too self-conscious for
that. I didn't want to be singled out for lessons and look awkward
before the others. Finally, she said that I could not be in the room
if I were not willing to dance. I left the room feeling embarrassed,
and my cousin was incensed that her guest wasn't allowed to stay in
the room.
Since all characters in a
dream belong to the dreamer, I could see just how rigid my “young
instructor” is when someone does not do things according to
protocol—my protocol. I learned that I am terribly self-conscious
in new settings, and often cut off opportunities to be spontaneous
because I feel awkward. And I learned, that being told what to do by
someone younger, and especially, someone who is autocratic, embarrasses me
and makes me angry. In other words, the dream landscape showed me a
revealing picture of my inner self—not one that surprised me, but
one that reminded me that I carry with me even now some of the traits
that were learned “in my hometown.” No one likes to feel awkward,
but some people are willing to look foolish in order to have fun. I
think the dream pointed out quite clearly that I am not one of those,
and perhaps I should “lighten up.”
I find dreams to be
instructive. I don't always remember my dreams, but when I do,
especially when they are as intact and clear as this one, I listen.
If you are open to receiving dream information, you could keep a
diary to write them down as soon as you wake. You don't have to put
in long hours of study; just hold the dream, ponder it. It will give
you information that may not be obvious to your waking self. Remember
that in the Bible, dreams were often God's way of communicating with
God's children about what to do next. According to mystic, Edgar
Cayce, “Dreams are today's answers to tomorrows questions.”
It's always smart to listen when God whispers in your ear.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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