Clients often ask if their dreams have any significance. There are many differing opinions regarding the significance of dreams. In fact interested academics have spent life-times studying and researching dreams and yet still there are still many unanswered questions regarding this topic.
What we do know is that we dream a number of dreams every night – although most often we don’t remember them.
We go through cycles while we sleep and dreaming occurs in the cycle known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Dreams may last for as little as 5 to 10 minutes or they may last for 30 to 35 minutes. The longer we sleep the longer the dreams become.
So what, if anything, should one do after a disturbing dream?
- In my experience it may be useful to look at what happened during the day before – was there anything out of the ordinary, anything disturbing that may relate to the dream.
- Also examine the emotion connected to the dream and see if it has any significance.
A person who is processing trauma may become more acutely aware of his or her dreams. The brain is trying to process events which are beyond everyday occurrences and are difficult to comprehend. Dreams during these times could be viewed as a form of healing.
Recurring dreams may be pointing to something which requires serious consideration.
Over a period of years I had a recurring dream. The dreams differed slightly in content but essentially they had the same message or meaning. A few years ago I confronted some issues in my life and sought professional help in the form of counselling. The dream has dissipated and no longer troubles me. Was this God pointing me to areas in my life that he wished to heal? Was it internal dis-ease? Was it my brain trying to process something? I believe all are true.
Typically during the course of one’s life a person will spend 6 years dreaming. Most will never be recalled in the morning but a few may have significance.