Lisa,
It all does seem to fit doesn't it? The good times of the 80s in your life and the symbolic positive representations in the dream about the 80s, there are in accord. Credit Jungian theories of the dream for whatever understanding we discover.

"I've shut down again, put up a wall, or lost it emotionally with my sudden outpouring of feelings about the relationship, although he opened the door".
The conflict in the relationship with your 'boy friend' probably needs some type of resolution. Your inability to 'trust' men is a problem do doubt but just to what extent is has in this part of your life may need deeper examination. You do need to confront those issues {trusting men} if you want to have that relationship you wish for. These are deeper issues that may require help from someone who is trained in psychology.

As for that creative self. That too could a lesser issue in your life, on the surface. But in Jungian psyche it is the creative aspect where we find our highest potential, our true being. For someone like myself who has been married three time, and divorced the same number of times, my mistress for the past 18 years has been my creative self. Myths-Dreams-Symbols is an offspring of that relationship as is my work with dreams and exploration of the deeper psyche. As I sit here in the early morning hours addressing the posts at the Dream Forum and providing my thoughts to the dreams, I am in that most blissful state of being, that place I love most. If not for the requirements of social obligations {my responsibilities to my business/work} I would be in total bliss. Jung, and Campbell both promoted this 'feminine' aspect of the psyche as the correct road to a harmonious life, even when there is an absence of any other 'love' in ones life. But to get there one must overcome those other 'psyche' conflicts, those that are formed from earlier life. Working on those inner conflicts and at the same time looking to resurrect the creative self, that is the heroic journey that is what life is all about. The myths speak about them, in different forms and speech, but they are a reflection of the deepest desires of the soul. Following your bliss is an endeavor to fulfill the soul's greatest desire. The metaphoric reference of the Holy Grail can be explained if one only look at the symbol as a reference to the soul and not some material thing. It is not an outer search that is required to discover the Grail, it is an inner search.

Jerry

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 60 Murfreesboro, Tn

Have You Posted Before? Date of Last Post {Use Search and Your Post Name to Help Find Last Post} Male

How Did You Find the Dream Forum? Yes