The language of dreams is the strange experience of imagery and emotion. Dreams are constantly downloading information to us in answer to the questions we ask ourselves: what do we need to feel better, how can we stop what is going on, why can't we change to make it work? Through our dreams, we are continually advising ourselves how to de-stress, how to find balance, love and whatever our heart desires. Dreams are the most important advisors we have in our lives. They are precious jewels waiting to be discovered and accepted.
You've probably been told to write down your dreams when you awaken. If you don't, your dream is ignored and will very likely leave your mind and emotions. So writing down your dream-gifts first thing in the morning - before you even get out of bed or dress - will solidify what you do remember. Just jot down a few words about what has been revolving in your mind. Add the emotion you were feeling or reacting with in the dream. Then date it and, as an extra, add a few lines about any indecisive thinking you may have been doing in your life. Tuck it away and look at it later - perhaps days or weeks later - but for now, the simple act of transferring it to paper from the elusiveness of your mind is all that is required. And that's it. That's all you have to do. Whether in a designated dream journal or on scraps of paper, keep these entries and over time you will notice their value. Let me start to give you the basics.
Your subconscious mind, your dream mind, is in partnership with you. Through your dreams, it is trying to dialogue with you, to get close with you - to have a personally enlightened, inspired conversation. Your dream-self is your reflective partner, companion and friend. During the day, you sometimes talk aloud and sometimes keep your thoughts rolling around in your mind, emotions and body. But then the magic of the night enters. At night, the conscious mind becomes the listener, not the talker; your dreaming mind wants to share with you everything it has noticed and gleaned from those revolving thoughts, feelings and questions perhaps still unframed, perhaps begging for solution.
Many people can have a long conversation with someone and later only remember a fraction of what transpired - select bits and pieces that usually had emotional reference to them. A full night of dreaming is like a long conversation: by the morning, our memory has often retained only fragments of those emotional references. That's okay. Those are sufficient to jot on your paper and keep for later introspection.
If you don't yet remember even an emotion or an image from your dream-state, just realizing that your relationship with your subconscious mind is strained and not flowing is the first step. As in any relationship where you desire more intimacy and more real conversation, your heart needs to soften and open; your mind needs to slow down and take a back seat. Expand your listening abilities beyond your limiting, literal, logical mind. Listen wholeheartedly for essence and caring intent, not for fact. That means removing all defenses such as fear or skepticism from your channels. It means listening by opening wider, deeper than before. The only intention you need is to be in the present moment and open to receive the natural gifts your partner desires to share with you. Then, when your listening receptivity has been adjusted, when your partner is speaking and giving you the gifts of opinions and insights, acknowledge this - again, in the present moment - by writing down the multi-dimensional words, the essence of love and care.
Just talking isn't necessarily enough to establish a beautiful relationship of any kind. Another level of heartfelt bonding is required. Establishing that connection doesn't happen overnight: we're talking about more than a one-night stand here! The connection is cultivated, nurtured and patiently held until it flourishes. Dreams require your commitment to them. They want you to stretch your abilities to understand them, to do what it takes to honour them through a dialogue back in trust and genuine interest.
There are many great books, workshops and teachers who specialize in dream analysis. There are also amazing books, counsellors and programs specializing in couple intimacy. The key to the best dream understandings is in the magical combination of both.
Email Jonni at info@jonnioconnor.com
or call 604.733.9111.
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