Dream Interpretations

ANCIENT MYSTERY
Johnnie J. Lim
For thousands of years now, dreams still remain as an ancient mystery. In my attempt to answer my curiosity to find out if some dream experts have common interpretations to a specific dream, I went through different book stores and surfed into the internet to gather facts on the matter using related reviews.
Out of thirty reading materials, including studies, none has come up with similar interpretations to a certain specific symbol one sees in dream. Each writer attempts to execute his own uniqueness in trying to elaborate the meaning of this ancient mystery. Yet the validity and reliability of these are still in questions and will still remain to be questioned if none has not yet proven it to be true, especially the dreamer himself/herself. The analysis to this could be concluded that not all have the same pattern of interpretations.
Experts have been trying to disclose their point of views by saying that dreams take place when a part of the brain is consciously awake while sleeping. Carl Jung is one of them who spend a lot of time studying dreams. According to Jung, (cited in http://www.dreammoods.com/dreaminformation/dreamtheory/jung.htm) “dreams are a way of communicating and acquainting yourself with the unconscious. Dreams are not attempts to conceal your true feelings from the waking mind, but rather they are a window to your unconscious. They serve to guide the waking self to achieve wholeness and offer a solution to a problem you are facing in your waking life.” This is in contrary to the theory of Sigmund Freud who believed that “the world of dreams allows a person to exercise subconscious desires which have been suppressed during waking life.” He said, “these desires are manifested symbolically during dreams.”
In Freud’s Theory of Dreams (cited in http://www.smithwebdesign.com/
worldofdreams/theory.html), Freud classified the subconscious in three different sections:
The Id - The ‘id’ contains the most primal and primitive desires, such as unrestrained sexual desire and the pursuit of pleasure.
The Ego - The ego is the self-aware section of the mind. It is the section which is aware of the perceptions and senses of the world and works them into understanding to aid the functions of the individual.
The Superego - The superego acts as a censor of the id. This is the section which will suppress desires and prevent a person who performing the actions that may be interpreted (in a modern society) as immoral. It is the part which will turn desires of the id into the symbolic figures inside dreams.
Freud said, “the ‘id’ would be suppressed by the superego during the waking day. When a person is asleep, the influence of the ‘superego’ would be lessened and the ‘id’ would reveal the mind's deepest inner desires. This is why dreams may seem strange and unrealistic and also why they are difficult to remember, as the superego would immediately try to wipe them away once the conscious awakened cycle is resumed.”
Marlon Xavier pointed out in his essay entitled “Dream Interpretation in Jung's Theory: A Comparative Analysis” (cited in http://www.meta-religion.com/Psychiatry/Analytical_sychology/
dream_interpretation.htm),that Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung are two of the most influential dream interpreters who have theoretical difference concerning the unconscious. Freud’s theories created psychoanalysis, while Jung’s ideas illustrated the archetypes we dream in. Both of these doctors are instrumental in identifying the symbols and meanings behind dreams.
To give us a tip on how to work with a dream, Jung said, “the simplest way is to keep it in mind and turn it over and over throughout the day--or week--endeavoring to see what messages it holds for us.” Jung believed that some dream symbols are quite transparent and can be taken at face value if we are willing to hear what they tell us.
I agree with Jung considering dreams as signs that hold messages, but I disagree with the assumption of Freud especially on the part which considers dream as manifestation of the hidden ‘sexual desires’ which emerges during sleep. I am not either convinced by most of the dream interpretations given by him in his book entitled “The Interpretations of Dreams” ('Die Traumdeutung'; literally 'dream-interpretation'), which was first published in 1899. His attempt to decipher some symbols and its associations ’sound strange’ to my knowledge being a dream interpreter. Most of these interpretations are partially vague or merely assumptions though they are intentionally written to serve as a guide for those who believe.

In dealing with dreams, one has to condition his/her mind to believe. This could be the best element one must possess. TO BELIEVE. If not, it would be difficult for a person to experience meaningful dreams. Whether it is a good dream or a nightmare, the mind would probably not register any meaningful symbols while sleeping. This is partly the reason why some people don’t remember their dreams. Since dreams serve as signs of what is going to happen in the future as emphasized by Jung, it is best to learn how to interpret it or consult someone who is knowledgeable about meanings of dreams.

One might say that the act of studying dreams or putting them into meaning is tainted with lunacy since it is believed that no one can fathom the real meaning behind the scenes that a person sees and experienced in dreams. In my ability to interpret dreams, I believe that if a person dreams of anything he saw before going to bed, there’s no corresponding meaning to it. It is a manifestation of the subconscious in the brain. Likewise, if a person prepares himself with an intention to dream of something before sleeping, whatever dreams he may have are insignificant and meaningless, but if a person is not conscious of what he sees in dreams, a corresponding meaning is set to happen if not on the next day, two to three days after or a week. As experienced, A lot of my clients confirmed that the interpretations I made for their dreams are authentic. Because I always see to it that the dream being presented is really a product of the dreamer’s unconscious mind. At one point, I should say that dreams are tend to be meaningful or have meanings if the person never thinks of what he/she sees in dream before going to sleep. In other words, if the dream is influenced by the conscious mind, anything in this dream represents no corresponding meaning.
Here are few of my interpretations:
1. If a person dreams of cutting his/her hair, breaking up would possibly happen between him/her and his/her beloved. Cutting of hair symbolizes ‘separation’ between two people who are in a relationship.
2. If a person dreams of so many lice crawling on his/her hair or shoulder, separation would happen between him/her and his/her loved ones. The dreamer may have possibility of living or staying away from his/her parents for example.
3. If a person dreams of catching birds or the birds simply fly into his/her palm, the time for his/her to find a thoughtful lover or a loving person has come.
4. If a person dreams of writing something using a pen, a pencil, or anything with a pointed tip, he/she would receive something that would make him/her feel happy.
5. If a person dreams of being wounded of which blood flows out of it, he/she will be forced to spend money for a certain problem. The amount of blood represents the sum of money.
6. If a person dreams of being chased by a dog, a man is looking for him/her due to a certain purpose. The number of dogs suggests the number of persons. If bitten by the dog especially when the dreamer is a girl, the man has an indecent intention toward her. If the dreamer is a boy, the man is mad at him.
7. If a person dreams of swimming in the sea, ocean, river, or lake, his/her plan will not yet be fulfilled, or it is not yet the right time to fulfill his/her plan.
8. If a person dreams of flying high and lands on a certain place, he/she will receive good news that will make him/her happy. If flying is disturbed by falling over and over again, the good news is still affected by some factors.
9. If a person dreams of talking to someone who is already dead, trouble is on the way, or something that will make the dreamer utter a lot of bad words which may possibly result to conflict.
10. If a person dreams of being bitten by a snake on his/her foot or feet, someone is planning to marry him/her. The color of the serpent will suggest the attitude of the lover.
These are only examples of my interpretations which I have already given to some of my clients.

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