Why Interpret Dreams?

What happens in our minds when we're asleep?  Why do we experience scenes that range from seemingly-random, to lighthearted and comical, to intense and mysterious?  Is it significant?

Of course it is.  But that's not to say anyone is completely clear on why it's significant, or how.

One thing is certain:  Your dreams are a sign of your state of mind. 

What are Dreams?

A dream is, basically, a hallucination.  Your deepest feelings and thoughts are always "in there somewhere," but during R.E.M. sleep, something's different. 

During the day, your brain produces a chemical that keeps you focused on reality.  That chemical is the only thing standing between you, and a constant state of confusion.  Without that chemical, you'd never know the difference between what's really happening, and whatever fleeting thoughts you might happen to have. 

Without that chemical, every feeling, memory, bout of inspiration, and analytical thought process would all seem to be "out there" in the real world.  You'd see, smell, hear, taste and touch all your thoughts as if they weren't thoughts at all. 

While you sleep, that chemical is suppressed, and after a few hours of solid sleep, its effect wears off in the brain.  That's when you start to dream.

But let's get back to the original question:  Why should we interpret our dreams?  That's actually two questions in one:  Why should we interpret our dreams ourselves, and, what are the benefits of dream interpretation?

Reading Your Mind

For many people, dreams are the only "direct access" you have to certain parts of your mind.  Dreams are created by the most mindful part of your mind.  It's a part of your brain that knows your priorities and your needs, whether those are emotional, spiritual, or temporal needs.  In essence, your dreams are an intricate mental health "status display."

When we have dreams that seem heavy, disturbing, or which carry a lot of gravity and demand our attention, it's often the mental equivalent of realizing we've left the stove on at home.  It's not always bad news, though!  The cause of these attention-grabbing enigmas can mean we've let a tricky situation develop too far, or can be a case of recognizing our own inner growth spurts.

On the other end of the spectrum are the dreams which seem to be pure fun.  Was your brain giving you a reward?  Is this a stamp of approval, a gold star from yourself, to yourself?  Or is it a sign that you have neglected fun in your waking life, and your dreams are compensating?

Doubling Yourself

There's another benefit to do-it-yourself dream interpretation.  The part of your mind that produces your dreams isn't dumb, and it's not just an emotional fountain that spews feelings.  While you're asleep, this part of your mind is working on problems, imagining solutions, and thinking as creatively as you ever could during the daytime - sometimes more so. 

So, ignoring your dreams equates to a daily ritual of throwing away all your best work.

You Are The World's Leading Dream Expert

When it comes to your dreams, nobody is more qualified to do the interpretations.  Why?  Because the symbols and scenarios in your dreams only have the right meaning in your mind, where the symbol was used. 

You don't need to memorize a dream dictionary in order to be a great dream interpreter.  It's more important that you ask yourself honestly, and think creatively about the question:  What did I dream about?

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