Greetings from My Mountain Cabin,
Psychologists and psychiatrists have many and varied theories about why we dream. Some feel the images we conjure up when we are asleep are simply carry-over pre-occupations from a busy day. Others believe the symbols are actually archetypes common to the human experience.
The great Austrian neurologist and Father of Psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, was one of the latter. Dr. Freud had his own panoply of psychological encumbrances, including manifestation of a variety of phobias and psychosomatic disorders. He felt the primary motivation for all human behavior was sexual in nature. Dr. Freud also had a morbid fear of dying.
In his later work as a psychoanalyst, Dr. Freud abandoned hypnosis as a technique for understanding a patient's underlying pathology in favor of free association and dream analysis. He felt the images present in dreams could be important clues to a patient's complex psychological processes.
Walking into a house could be symbolic of vaginal penetration. A motorcycle or a cigar could be phallic symbols. Yet, toward the end of his life, Dr. Freud was reputed to have said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."
Although I am not a Freudian, I believe dreams can represent real-world situations in life. Perhaps because of my German ethnic heritage, I like to be in control of circumstances at all times. During those moments when I feel vulnerable to external forces, I often have unpreparedness dreams.
✶ I have a leading role in a dramatic production. The curtain is about to go up and I am standing off-stage. The problem is, I have not attended any rehearsals and have no idea what my lines will be. Or . . .
✶ I am back in college on my way to a final exam in mathematics (never my strong suit). It suddenly dawns on me that I cut all the classes during the semester and am not at all competent to take the test. Or . . .
✶ I am back on the aircraft carrier, which is preparing to leave port for an overseas deployment. I am attired in civilian clothes and need to find the ship's store to purchase an appropriate uniform. I have no idea where anything is located on this floating city. Much anxiety.
On the other hand, there are dreams I truly enjoy. So-called lucid dreams are situations where the person knows s/he is dreaming and chooses to go ahead with the adventure.
✶ I am standing at the top of a stairwell, wondering if I am dreaming or awake. I decide to jump. If I am awake, I will tumble into a heap at the foot of the stairs. If I am dreaming, I will gently float down. Once I have determined I am in the dream state, I can experience things that would not be possible when awake. I can choreograph extraordinary events, knowing there will be no real-world consequences since I am actually dreaming.
✶ I can run down my boyhood sidewalk, dive forward while stretching out my arms, and fly! I can make myself invisible and walk into a strange house to view what its occupants are doing. I can breathe under water. I can sit in the left seat of an airliner and see if I can get the thing off the ground!
Lucid dreams can be delightful experiences, and they also have some practical benefits. According to writer, Joe Kissel, "Interacting with dream characters in a lucid state can help the dreamer to interpret the meanings of dreams in real time. Lucid dreams can also enable the dreamer to find creative solutions to problems, work through difficult emotional issues, and promote physical and mental healing."
According to dream researchers, one way to encourage lucid dreaming is to develop a habit of using a visual trigger (such as looking at your hands) while asking yourself, "Am I awake or am I dreaming?" when encountering routine daily events. Then, in the dream state, you would be more inclined to look at your hands and ask the same question, thus prompting an awareness of the lucid state.
Life should be fun. Lucid dreaming certainly is.
So if you find yourself seated in the cabin of my Boeing 787, you'll know I put you there. Don't worry. I'll find some way to fly this thing.
Dream on,
Ed
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