We all dream, whether we’re aware of it or not. And, as you’ve probably noticed, there are elements of our dreams that not only recur, but are common amongst all dreamers. For those of you fortunate enough to be able to remember dreams after you wake, you might be interested to know that such dreams can tell you a lot about your state of mind in waking life-more than you might think.
Let’s start with the one we’ve all had. You know, the dream that you show up to some important event, all ready to make a speech, or take a test or go on a date only to discover you managed to forget one very important thing: your clothes.
Though we’ve all heard about that all-too-frequent dream, not everyone knows what it can teach about a person’s waking state of mind. Dream interpreters believe that mortification over public nakedness is representative of feelings of shamefulness or vulnerability. A dream about being caught clothes-less means you may be hiding something from those around you, but are fearful that you’re going to be found out. Such a dream might be trying to alert you to realizations that you’re reluctant to be your “true self,” for fear of ridicule or being ostracized.
Another common dream would be one in which you’re falling-say, off a cliff or off a building. Some say that if a “falling dream” portrays you hitting the ground and dying, you are destined to die in real life, too. While this is nothing more than popular myth, falling dreams do offer a number of interesting suggestions. They are indicative of a feeling of having lost your footing, of a fear of failure or loss of status. According to Freudian theory, dreaming a fall might mean you’re contemplating giving into a sexual urge or impulse. But then again, Freud thought everything had to do with sex.
Here’s one every pre-med student has probably had somewhere along the way: the dream where you’re taking a test, only to discover you have absolutely no idea how to answer any of the questions, and are, alas, doomed to fail. Such dreams are typically related to your sense of confidence and self-esteem, or, rather, lack thereof. If you’re experiencing any kind of exam dream, it might mean you’re concerned about “making the grade” and living up to others’ expectations of you. Don’t worry too much, though: most people who have this dream don’t end up failing their actual exams.
If you experience a dream in black and white, it might indicate feelings of sadness or depression. A black and white dream is suggestive of a need to be more objective in your decision-making, that your opinions might be just a little too unyielding. In such a case, dream interpreters recommend making a conscious effort to listen to the opinions of others before making up your mind.
A dream in which you’re being chased is commonly interpreted as a manifestation of waking life anxiety. As running is an instinctive response to threats in your environment, such a dream might mean you’re avoiding dealing with an important issue, or have resisted coping with stress or fears. Dream interpreters suggest that the chaser in your dream, who is likely trying to do you harm, is actually representative of a part of yourself, and that by running from him or her, you are trying to protect your feelings of anger, jealousy, fear or even love.
Next time you wake up aware of having dreamed, pause to think for a moment. You might happen upon realizations about yourself you never would have otherwise picked up on while awake!