Dreams while we are sleeping

Have you read the Reader's Digest article titled Dare to Dream: What happens in your head at night is more important than you think?

According to scientific research, our dreams communicate to our conscious mind what our subconscious mind is worried about (or not), thus helping us work through the day's emotional quandaries.

For example:

1) Several years ago, I met a woman that I wanted to be friends with, but in my waking life I wasn't sure I could trust her. That is, until I dreamt about two different people (one man, one woman) in my distant past whom I couldn't trust. When I juxtaposed how I felt when I interacted with this woman vs. the other two individuals, my subconscious was telling me I could absolutely trust her.

2) On another occasion, I was stymied by how to approach a problem at work. Thanks to a dream in which my younger brother and sister, each of whom have very different problem-solving styles, were sitting around a table with me, I recognized that I could add their styles to my own to cobble together a workable approach.

3) Then there's my dream titled The Banquet Awaits. Because of this dream's relevance to 'dare to dream', I commissioned yet another painting by Mallika Sundaramurthy.


Used by permission. Copyright Mallika Sundaramurthy and Whitney Johnson, 2008.

In this dream, I was speaking to a man with whom in my waking life I had been discussing the possibility of joining the investment bank Goldman, Sachs. Though I was mesmerized by him, I found his girlfriend, who was also there, to be an annoyance.

Despite my disdain, she invited me to her home for dinner which I grudgingly accepted, not knowing I was in for something very special.

Her home was a welcoming, single story house with sleek lines, high ceilings, a fountain pool for a front yard, while the inside had a loft feel and inviting furniture. Once the guests had arrived, she proceeded to serve a sumptuous meal, a banquet really. Each course was beautiful to behold, and exquisite to the taste.

There was enough for all, an unending feast.

As I shared my dream of The Banquet Awaits with a friend, I recognized this dream was symbolic of systergy. I had discounted the woman who had invited me to her home, believing her boyfriend held the key to achieving what I wanted. When in actuality, IF I would connect with other women, what I wanted would unfold not only for me, but for all the women who had accepted the invitation to the banquet.

Do you remember your dreams?

What is your most memorable dream?

What can you learn from this dream?

In re-reading The Banquet Awaits, I've actually thought of another interpretation besides the one I've outlined -- do any of your dreams have multiple interpretations?

Related posts:
The sweetness of systergy
Of pineapples and friendship
Why I liked Wicked
Will kirtsy please take a bow?
Redefining ladies who lunch

Comments

[Dana King]

Beautiful painting...I LOVE color. I see systergy as a beautiful way to paint our lives full of color.
Dana

[Jessica]

I kept a dream journal for a short period of time and that was helpful. I love the idea of taking a few minutes in the morning to ponder what you can learn from your dreams...I think we must have them for some reason.

[EHD]

I'm just impressed that you can REMEMBER you dreams! Unless they are truly bizarre, mine fly out the window the minute my eyes open. Ah, the joys of four children and a hectic schedule! :-)