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ISBN: Print 978-1-64152-284-7 | eBook 978-1-64152-285-4
For Tanner and Abby as they begin their new lives together
CONTENTS
Ive always been a vivid dreamer. As a child, my dreams were so intense I would sometimes wake up confused about which world was real: my dream world, or the one where I found myself tucked snugly under the covers in my bedroom. Once, following a particularly vivid dream in which I was a different person living in a completely different place, I got out of my bed, walked downstairs to my parents bedroom, and told them I was ready to go home. I was furious when they insisted that I was already home, and reluctantly trudged back to bed.
As I got older, my intense dreams continued. In college, I decided I needed to figure out not only why I had such powerful dreams but also what the dreams meant. I had a feeling they were trying to tell me something important, and I wanted to uncover what it was.
Fortunately, college attendance came with an all-access pass to the comprehensive university library where I checked out every book on dreams I could get my hands on. I also took a class in dream interpretation through the schools psychology department. Through the class and my own reading, I became acquainted with Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Calvin S. Hall, Jr., and others with theories on dreams. The more I learned, the more passionate I became about the power of dream interpretation.
Over the past 30 years, Ive continued my exploration into the world of dreams. When I found classes, I immediately signed up. When I discovered new books, I devoured them. Most importantly, I interpreted my own dreams. I discovered that, regardless of what is going on in my life, my dreams always offer valuable insight into my subconscious mind, put me in touch with my emotions, help me realize unrecognized ambitions, and show me any unacknowledged pain. The content of my dreams opens new spiritual pathways, offers me a way forward during difficult times, and encourages me to find ways to heal those parts of me that are hurting.
As you might imagine, the ability to interpret dreams makes for a great conversation starter. When my friends discovered that I was able to do it, they started asking me about their dreams. From recurring dreams about not having studied for finals, to deeply frightening apocalyptic dreams, Ive heard them all! Ive interpreted hundreds of dreams for others and myself, both in person and through the dream interpretation column I write for Paranormal Underground magazine. My ultimate goal, however, is to teach others to find the meaning in their own dreams. To do this, I turned the way I interpret dreams into a system that I teach in classes and at national conferences.
This book is built around my dream interpretation system and also offers a basis to understand why we dream, what types of dreams we have, and when we should pay attention to them because they might be telling us something. It relies on my years of study as well as work with dream and psychic symbols, psychological archetypes, and dream interpretation for myself and others.
If youre new to the practice of dream interpretation, dream dictionarieslike the one in of this bookoffer a great place to start. You can also find dream dictionaries that define hundreds, if not thousands, of terms and symbols, and I encourage you to use one or more along with the process I teach here. To get you started, Ive included definitions of the 100 most common dream symbols youre likely to encounter. What this book offers, however, goes beyond a basic dream dictionary. It will teach you to recognize the type of dreams you have and decide which are worthy of interpretation. Then, youll learn my step-by-step process for interpreting your dreams using context, universal dream symbols, intuition, and personal symbolism that cant be found in any dream dictionary.
I encourage you to start using these tools as soon as possible. Dont worry if you feel youre doing it wrong; practicing is the best way to learn. When my students start to use the process, they are often surprised at just how accurately their dreams address ongoing issues in their lives and how those dreams can offer guidance. You can experience this, too, if you allow it. I am humbled and grateful you have chosen me to guide you on this journey to discover the secret life of your dreams.
This book has two parts. In , I discuss the history of dream interpretation from ancient to modern times. I also explore the many theories from key players in psychological, spiritual, and cognitive dream interpretation, including Freud, Jung, and Hall. Youll discover why we dream and the various types of dreams we have, and youll learn some key features of each type of dream so you can discern if a dream is worthy of interpretation. Well take a look at the spiritual basics of dream interpretation as well, discussing how symbolism in dreams can come from various spiritual traditions and cultures, and how understanding dreams can lead to spiritual, personal, and emotional growth.
