The Spiritual Nature of Dreams by Michele B. Engoran, MA, CSW
Copyright 2004
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on” William Shakespeare
Frequently, I hear people state, “I can never recall my dreams.” Regardless of whether we remember our dreams or not, the fact remains that we all do dream. For centuries people have pondered the nature of dreams in as much as they have pondered the essence of human existence. Humans are forever seeking answers and absolutes. However, when it comes to dreaming there is no single explanation that is "right." Perhaps there are infinite explanations that all hold degrees of truth.
There are many contemporary models that attempt to classify dreaming. These explanations range from philosophical to scientific; from psychological to physiological. Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis, is one of the most prominent theorists in modern history to hypothesize about the nature of dreaming. Naturally, Freud’s theories were limited to purely psychological reasoning. He saw dreams as metaphorical fantasy and wish fulfillment due to repressed sexual and aggressive urges. Freud played an important role in legitimizing and validating the use of dreams in therapy. While Freud’s contributions were undeniably significant, his predecessor, Carl Jung, placed dreams into a spiritual context. Jung believed dreams are an expression of a collective unconscious which includes themes that are universally shared by all people. Jungian therapy continues to deal extensively with dreams and fantasies. Now let us turn exclusively to spiritual and metaphysical perspectives of dreaming.
Dreaming, as well as the sleep that envelopes it, is an inherent part of being human. For something we do automatically every night for a lifetime, we don’t give it a great deal of thought. Have you ever stopped to consider that both sleeping and dreaming are “altered” states of consciousness? This thought reminds us that altered states are common and normal occurrences. What makes dreaming unique is that is not limited to the usual confines of the conscious mind. In dreams we are not bound to the linear, predictable world. Each night when we dream we are free to roam our own self-created inner reality.
Contrary to popular scientific belief, dreams are not merely a phenomenon of sleep. A brief explanation of the conscious and unconscious mind emphasizes this point. The conscious mind is limited to our immediate focus of attention. While the unconscious mind continuously receives absolutely every other piece of stimuli from our immediate surroundings as well as the universe at large. So, when we sleep and turn off the conscious mind, the result is we become aware of this normally unconscious process in its raw chaotic form. This reason explains why dreams often appear bizarre, fragmented, and surreal.
Amongst familiar aspects of dreaming, they are widely considered symbolic communication from the unconscious. Some believe that dream symbolism is universal. Still others believe there are no experts of interpreting what your dream means: the dreamer is the only authority of his or her personal dream metaphors. While the interpretation of dream symbolism is extremely valuable, it is only one aspect of dreaming. Dreaming is so much more.
Without interference from the conscious mind, dreams provide us with direct messages from our higher self. As a direct portal to spiritual realms, dreams offer guidance that comes in the service of healing and spiritual growth. This guidance may come in the form of contact with guides, angels, or loved ones or glimpses into the future. Even nightmares are for our highest spiritual growth. They are “wake up calls,” alerting us to pay close attention to impending dangers or vital crossroads in our lives.
Some quantum physicists theorize that “physical reality” as we know it, does not exist. Instead, space and matter, everything we perceive, can be broken down into whirling bits of data and energy. In holding to this notion, the world we see is much more fluid and malleable then we imagine. Add to this the metaphysical idea that our “universe” is but one reality amongst multitudes of "realities." By this model, when we dream we possibly “cross-over” into parallel realities.
Are you 100% certain that this moment itself isn’t a dream? Consider a final theory- we are collectively dreaming a dream of this reality. All of us are simultaneously creating a dream called "being human on earth."
In some sense, we already know a great deal about dreaming. At the same time, in the vastness of this type of exploration, there will always be more to discover. No single theory covers all aspects of dreaming. So, instead of seeking consensus, consider all models as pointers toward expanding our spiritual horizons. Perhaps the common denominator in all of these models is that there is always more to life than our five senses detect. As the open-end dialogue about dreaming continues, one thing is apparent; dreaming is a rich and multidimensional part of this spiritual journey called life.
Amongst many services offered, Michele provides dreamwork by email or in person from her office in Plainsboro, NJ. Michele can also be contacted if you would like her to write a short article for your publication. Contact 609-750-7432.
