How to process your dreams

I attended a dreamwork workshop over the weekend called Tending our dreams. It was refreshing, because it concentrated on how we can process our dreams rather than interpreting them. Our workshop leader rightly mentioned that the best person to 'interpret' our dream is us, because the imagery and meaning in our dreams can really only be accurately processed by the dreamer.

Here are the steps to process dreams:

1 - Write down the dream in present tense and in as much detail as possible.

Writing it down in present tense takes us back into the dream, which may remind us of the little details that may be missed if written in the past tense.

Note: Step 2 onwards are questions that we then ask of the dream and of ourselves.

2 - What is the setting in the dream?

The setting may reveal my mental or emotional state. Eg: a dream about an earthquake may reveal that I'm feeling unstable, or that my resolve is being shaken, etc.

3 - What/Who are the main characters in the dream? What are 3 characteristics/adjectives that describe them?

People who appear in my dream may not necessarily be the point. Instead it may be what they stand for or represent. Eg: a generous friend appearing in my dream may represent generosity.

4 - What are the outstanding features or striking symbols in the dream?

These features/symbols may reveal inner thoughts/emotions. Eg: standing beneath a massive tree may represent me feeling small.

5 - What feelings did I have during or after the dream?

We are gifted dreams to help us resolve thoughts and emotions that we may not be able to while awake. Feelings that dreams evoke are often a big giveaway for the reason we have them.

6 - What questions do I have about this dream?

This one is interesting, the more questions I have, the closer I get to the answer of why I dreamt the dream.

7 - What questions does this dream ask of me?

This one I found to be the most interesting of them all! What does the dream want to know about me? That may very well be the exact reason I'm dreaming!

8 - What is the underlying theme or message?

This one is particularly useful in the event of recurring dreams. If there's a theme that pops up over and over again, it's definitely something that I should pay attention to.

9 - What is happening in my life at this time?

This final question ties everything together.

If there was one thing I got out of the day, it's that God can speak to us in many ways.

Dreams are one way by which He can speak. And the more we pay attention, the more He will speak.