When I first started having these experiences about 25 years ago, they would happen when I would lie down to take a nap in the afternoon. I would suddenly feel as if I was floating upward. Not knowing what was happening, they freaked me out! :) I also have always been a lucid dreamer. I taught myself how to do this as a very young child as a way to wake up from my nightly nightmares. I have lucid dreams frequently now but not all of the time. About 4 years ago, I began to have that "floating upwards" feeling and decided to investigate. What I found was very exciting to me. I have met archetypes such as a white wizard, a witch, and an old shabby looking wizard, a wise man...a character who told me he was the "animus" (which was really interesting, because I had absolutely no clue what that was at the time). I see various symbols too.

Most of the experiences I could relate directly to my life and knew exactly what they meant. I could talk to the characters and ask them questions such as why they were there, etc.

Even though these experiences sound fantastical and unusual to others, I merely see this as a continuum of the dream state. In fact, I occasionally use a lucid dream as sort of a launch pad to this more wakeful state. I also am quite intuitive and have been able to help out a couple of others using this.

Because I am able to ask questions, these are easier to interpret. This has been a very useful tool for me in my personal growth.

Most of the stuff I need help with I find on your site :) I am not terribly schooled on Jung except for what I've read here and have found it useful. I recently picked up a Jung book on archetypes with the intent on reading it cover to cover but then found it to be a very difficult read.

Angie

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 44, Minnesota

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

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Angie,
Don't give up on Jung. I think you will discover a lot of answers about your archetypes. You may want to try Joseph Campbell as a primer before taking on Jung full ahead. The one book I believe will provide the best, and simplest, insights to the archetypes is Campbell's interviews with Bill Moyers in The Power of Myth. You can watch the videos
here.


Another important book from Campbell is Mythos {Mythos at Amazon.com} which was originally named Transformations of Myth Through Time. The Mythos video which is available is hosted by actress Susan Saradon.

In Mythos/Transformations Campbell explains the origins of the archetypes which are Bastion's universal symbols. This book is vital to the understanding of the evolution of the man, God and the psyche. Along with The Power of Myth it provided me the tools to understand Jung {which indeed can be difficult reading}.

Jerry