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Dancing with Your Dreams
As a teenager the first dream I remember had me at a
carnival with carousels and roller coasters, clowns and games and most
importantly the cotton candy stand. In the dream the cotton candy
machine grew to ten times its normal size and I feel in. The only way to
escape was to eat my way out of the machine. This is a nearly impossible
task, given that the soft, fluffy pink candy is in a continual swirling
motion creating more of itself at every spin. This recurring dream with
cotton candy in the staring role had and continues to have significance
for me. I love sugar and this has been one area of overindulgence over
the years. As an exercising, non-smoking, vegetarian who never realized
an appreciation of alcohol, sugar has been my vice. This dream has come
to me off and on for years now when I am overdoing it in the sugar
department. It reminds me to take heed, to take care of my body, to
replace lemon meringue pie with sweet fresh fruit or raisons. In other
words, my dreams talk to me and I listen.
For me and a growing number of others, dreams offer an accessible
pathway to understanding ourselves and receiving guidance in regard to
any number of areas in our lives. Because we can enter our dreams with
questions in mind, the guidance we can receive is endless. “Is a career
move on the horizon?” “Should I hang in there with my current
relationship?” In the dream I was climbing a rugged mountain surrounded
by butterflies. What does it mean?” If we enter into our dream space
with an open mind, an open heart and clear intentions about what we want
to know, my experience has been guidance will come. For any who may read
this and think you do not dream, know that you do, even if you do not
remember them. My parents were a prime example.
Five years ago my 70 year old parents were certain they were not
dreaming. My mother was particularly adamant in her conviction that
dreaming had escaped her for seven decades. However, when she and my
father adopted the suggestions I offered them to use to remember their
dreams they had success in short order. This was my advice; embrace day
dreaming-what comes to you in your waking state is as valid as what
comes to you in sleep time. Always have a journal or tape recorder by
your bedside and record what messages come to you. Go to bed in a
relaxed state and wake up gently in the morning. Do not question
whatever comes to you-words, images, symbols, colors, smells. Write it
down and trust it. If you write the word “sea” but you think you should
have written “see,” leave it as it is. The relevance may show itself at
a later time. Dream with intention. What do you want to know? If you
have a question, ask the universe as you drift off to sleep to provide
you with an answer and jot your question down on a piece of paper and
put it under your pillow. Pay homage to your dream. Act upon it. If
someone appears in your dream that you haven’t spoken to in a while,
pick up the phone and call them. Do you see yourself at a doctor’s
office? Perhaps its time to make an appointment for a physical. Are you
lounging at the beach in your dream? Be open to such an opportunity
presenting itself in waking time. And importantly, remember that you are
the best interpreter of your dreams. A person who has studied dream
analysis can help by asking you questions that may cause you to remember
parts of your dreams, but at the end of the day it’s your dream and you
will know best what it means to you.
As for my parents, a few weeks after they started their dream
remembrance routine my mother called me very excited that she had a
dream (and remembered it). It was a linear story, which had her and my
father at the mall shopping. She could relate to this scenario given
that shopping is something she enjoys. The first dream my father
remembered, on the other hand was a lucid dream, (the ability to be
aware that you are dreaming while you are having the dream). He was
sitting with his mother who he adored and who had graduated over to the
other side many years ago. He delighted in this encounter, and was only
discouraged because he couldn’t hear what she was saying and he knew she
was trying to share an important message. I explained that he could
travel back into the dream with “clear intention” (asking that he hear
his mother’s message) and he was excited to know that he could do so.
Now five years later my 75 year old parents contact me on a regular
basis to share their dreams, with an ability to self-analyze having
increased over time.
The wonderful thing about dreaming is that it is an all inclusive
experience. Dreamers come in all ages. Little children are avid
dreamers, often enthusiastic to share their journeys and as adults we
need to encourage this magic. Teenagers, adults, our cherished elders—we
all have dreaming in common. I believe this willingness to embrace our
dreams at any age is good for our health and contributes positively to
our well-being. Acknowledging our dreams encourages us to be open-minded
(and open-hearted) and journaling our dreams helps bring the dream to
life in a way. You are transferring the information that comes to you in
the dream state onto paper. Once there you can re-read and recall the
dream, returning to dreamscape as often as desired. In doing so,
additional bits and pieces of the dream may return, offering an even
deeper understanding of the experience.
One of the most exhilarating things about dream journey is that you need
not do it alone. While dreaming can be done solo, each of us can invite
a dream guide (or many) to accompany us. Animals make grand dream
guides. They are terrific companions and can be of assistance in many
ways. If you have yet to identify your animal dream guide, pause now and
invite an image of an animal to come to mind. What animal(s) do you
resonate with? What is your favorite animal? If you could pick an animal
to hang out with what would it be? Now trust the first animal that you
think of and ask it its name. I’m happy to introduce you to one of your
animal guide. As you drift off to sleep at night ask your guide to join
you on your dream journey. She may offer you a ride and transport your
from place to place. He may walk ahead of you to protect you if you need
it, or provide guidance if you have a question. Different guides may
also appear to help you in different ways, depending on your situation.
When I need to look at situations in my life with a wide view and from
varied perspectives, my giraffe guide appears. Her name is Infinity and
her presence reminds me that my options are endless, but I need
perspective. I am often perched on her long neck when she appears to
provide guidance. When I need to get somewhere quickly and safely
Saratoga the panther appears. As you invite animal guides to be a part
of your world, they too will develop personalities and reveal a specific
purpose to you.
Decide to become a partner with your DREAMS. Delve into this divine
world of discovery. Remember that all of us are dreamers and dreaming is
not reserved for few, but is open to a collective community of all.
Embrace all the knowledge you can gain and the fun you can have by
working with your dreams. Acknowledge your self-power as a dreamer and
appreciate your willingness to explore. Master the power to interpret
your dreams. As with anything, the more you practice the better you’ll
get at it. Success is what you will find if you entertain the concept that
interacting with your dreams can be a playful experience and this is joy
you can bring into waking time.
Have fun on this journey. Dancing with your dreams can be an eye-opening
experience-spiritually, emotionally and physically. Working with your
dreams is like having your own personal treasure chest. What gems await
you in this fascinating and enlightening world of dreams? Put on your
dream wings and fly!
Published in the publication, The Door Opener in 2009
www.dooropenermagazine.com
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