THE ORIGINS OF DREAM MESSAGES
WHERE DO DREAM MESSAGES COME FROM? The mechanics of dreaming begins in the unconscious, which holds memories and stored learning. The psyche—the part of your mind that never sleeps and knows all—sifts your daily experiences. The psyche catalogues new input and flags issues that need your attention, such as feelings that are disturbing, and unanswered questions or problems. At the end of its review, the psyche sends a memo to the waking mind, using a dream email to transport its message. For a detailed eplanation of, “What Is a Dream,” read “A Little Bit of Dreams.”
The Scientific Debate Behind What Causes Dreams
Scientists debate everything—including why we dream, whether dreams have meaning, and what causes dreams. Theories about dreaming have two main schools of thought that are called the “hardware” versus the “software” theories.
Those on the "hardware” side of the debate think the brain is “hardwired” and as a result, dreams are merely spontaneous firings of neurons (brain cells) that excite random memories. For those in the hardwired hardware group, dreams are meaningless.
On the other side of the debate are those who see dreams as built-in “software” of the mind. Researchers such as Milton Kramer, M.D., Montague Ullman, M.D. and Ernest Hartmann, M.D., did extensive studies that point to dreams as structured (not random), and show that dreams are linked in a meaningful way to waking events in daily life. Those in the “software” group see dreams and the unconscious as “built-in software” of the brain that process emotions and problems, generate insights, and guide us to needed resolution, as we sleep. Those who monitor their daily dreams agree with the software theory and thanks to direct experience—conclude that dreams have a practical, useful meaning.
Dreams Relate to Stored Memories. All experience and knowledge is stored in the unconscious, the part of the brain that acts like a video camera. The unconscious records and catalogues events, feelings, and thoughts and places them into your memory storage locker. As it creates a dream, the psyche selects memories about objects or experiences to play a game of Charades—using past items as a transformed message—about a current situation.
Many Types of Dreams. The psyche sees the big picture and as your inner self, wants what is best for you. It uses dream emails to conduct an on-going dialogue of helpful insights. Like a best friend, the psyche sends a variety of messages. Some heal emotions, some provide insights into problems, others put relationships into perspective. For complete examples of dream messages see, “A DREAM GUIDE—27 Kinds of Dreams and How to Recognize Them.”
The Soul Can Initiate a Dream. Some dreams are a direct message from the soul, a higher level of self, than the psyche. You may be the captain of your ship—but the soul is the ship's owner and occasionally has something to say about the direction of your daily journey. Angels Can Transmit a Dream Message. Even in modern times, many believe that guardian angels whisper a message in your ear at night during times of great distress—a message that is remembered as a dream. Why not? God May Talk to You in a Dream. On occasion, even the Divine gives you a special dream message, as an amazing grace and blessing. You wake up from a Divine Guidance dream filled with inspiration, hope and love, as a dream that you remember for a lifetime. HINT: You dream about whatever is important to you, so check what is on your mind during the day or as you fall asleep. That topic or feeling may lead to a dream.
The Soul Can Initiate a Dream. Some dreams are a direct message from the soul, a higher level of self, than the psyche. You may be the captain of your ship—but the soul is the ship's owner and occasionally has something to say about the direction of your daily journey. Angels Can Transmit a Dream Message. Even in modern times, many believe that guardian angels whisper a message in your ear at night during times of great distress—a message that is remembered as a dream. Why not? God May Talk to You in a Dream. On occasion, even the Divine gives you a special dream message, as an amazing grace and blessing. You wake up from a Divine Guidance dream filled with inspiration, hope and love, as a dream that you remember for a lifetime. HINT: You dream about whatever is important to you, so check what is on your mind during the day or as you fall asleep. That topic or feeling may lead to a dream.