AN EXCELLENT DREAM INTERPRETATION METHOD

In this discussion taken from my Masters Degree Thesis on Dreams, I have treated the dream as a stage play. This fun type of treatment is intended to get people thinking in a new and different direction about their dreams, and introduce an element of play into the experience. In each unique play, the dreamer is both the playwright and the director. Dreamers also select the supporting cast, pick the location, and paint all of the scenery and props. They are the choreographer and write all of the dialog, lyrics, and songs. The dream play is the total creation of the individual. Hence the individual is the most highly qualified person to explain and understand this theatrical masterpiece.

THE SEVEN STEP PROCESS

1. SETTING THE DREAM STAGE - The first step is to write out the entire dreams and give it an appropriate short title. Titles work best when they mention key symbols or unusual actions occurring within the dream. Titles are of some help in the interpretation process. However, their main purpose is to help in looking back through your dream journals to find a particular dream.

2. FINDING THE DREAM THEME - This highly critical step involves finding the theme of the dream. This is done by condensing the dream into a single sentence that contains the core message of the dream in very general terms. Do NOT attempt to interpret the dream at this point. Keep your theme statements very short and non specific. Some typical themes might be as follows:

- Some where in my life, someone wants to start a relationship with me.
- Some where in my life I am failing to complete something
- Some where in my life I am being attacked by someone
- Some where in my life I am not prepared to do something.
- Some where in my life I am rushing into something.

Do not short cut this process and attempt leap into interpretation of the dream. This may require some practice but will pay huge rewards over time. For more details on this process, take a look at the recommended books at the end of this section.

3. REVIEWING THE STAGE PLAY SITUATION - In this third step we will closely examine the questions involving Where, When, Who, and What that can be applied to the dream material:

- WHERE - Noting the dream location provides a vital clue to the overall meaning. A location in a church may be telling you that the dream is about your spiritual life. A location at your business office, on the other hand, points toward a job related message. A dream located in your home may well be telling you about your home life.

- WHEN - Most dreams occur in the present time. If an alternate time element is given (your age, year, previous life situation, etc) it can provide key information to understanding the overall dream message. If it is set 10 - 20 years ago, it may be calling your attention to how you acted then. A dream in the daytime suggests that you are seeing things clearly, while one at night may be telling you that you are in the dark about some issue. If the dream mentions your are, you may be acting like that age now. If you appear as a teenager, you may be acting like one now. Or if you appear as an elderly grandparent, you may be acting that role now.

WHO - Note who is present in the form of people, animals, or objects. Leave nothing out as they are all there for an important reason. Be sure to note all of the features including size, shape, color, features, age, etc.

WHAT ACTION IS OCCURRING - Take note of all the key symbols and actions in the dream. Are you active or passive? This may be vital clue to how you are behaving in real life. Where were you located when the dream starts and when it ends? The key point will reveal where you are headed in life. Look for repetition in the dream. If the same words or actions occur more then once, they become increasingly important. Are you headed to the right or left? This can be an important indication of proper or improper actions in your life. Are you headed up or going down? Going up may represent a difficult challenge or a movement to a higher spiritual level. Going downhill may mean and easy path or an indication of falling down on the job. What words are spoken in the dream. If someone speaks directly to you, pay particular attention to this as a key message. Note the use of numbers, prominent colors, over or undersized objects. Are you experiencing growth or deterioration in the dream? Are you accepting or avoiding something? All of these are keys to understanding your dream message. Over time, you will no doubt discover key actions that are unique to your own dreams and will add these to your list of things to look for within your dreams.

4. SYMBOL AMPLIFICATION - In this step we will more closely examine the individual dream symbols. Note that all of the questions always come back and start with the original symbol. This keeps the procedure closely focused on the original content of the dream.

List each symbol - What does it represent in relation to the theme of your dream?

- Is the symbol an aspect of yourself or does it show how you are behaving in real life? To assist in this process, read back through the dream and insert the words "I am" after each noun and see what connection you can make with this revised wording. Most (about 85%) of your dream symbols will be an suspect of yourself.

- If the symbol is not an aspect of yourself, it may be a literal symbol or have some cultural or universal meaning. Or it may be a pun or play on words.

5. UNDERSTANDING YOUR REVISED STAGE PLAY

- Re-write your dream using the new information gained in steps 1 - 4. Be brief but leave nothing out.

- Then ask yourself how your revised stage play fits with the theme of your dream. Do you need to revise the theme of the dream?

6. FEELINGS AND COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR REVISED DREAM

- How do you feel about your revised dream? You should feel very comfortable with the revised dream message and may even experience and "AHA" sense of enlightenment or new understanding,

- How well does the revised message relate to some part of your life?

- How would you react in the future based on your new interpretation?

7. DREAM APPLICATIONS

- What is you action plan from this dream?

- When are you going to complete this application
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DREAM INTERPRETATION BOOK

For more complete details on dream interpretation complete with many examples of dreams processed by the Seven Step Method, we recommend you read our new book "Dreams - My Lamp Unto the Darkness" available now:



$16.99 (Plus S/H) 180 pages ISBN 10: 1-58776-856-9 ISBN 13: 978-1-58776-856-9