Does anyone wish to contribute feedback to my post? You can disagree if you wish but please use specifics so I can address those issues.

gerard

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 58 Murfreesboro, Tn

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I am a young man who has been studying Jung for less than a year, and studying my dreams (thanks to Girard) for just over a month now. And I must agree, Jung is definitely onto something in regards to the concept of the collective unconscious and dream symbology. Already in my dreams I am starting to see issues and aspects of myself, and in so doing I am beginning to confront such things rather than letting them drift idly by as I have done in my life up until now. And I am just a rookie at dream interpretation.

Girard is seen to frequently come to an understanding of the issues in the person’s life from the symbols of the dream, and with a little feedback, manage to hit the nail on the head.

This is a fantastic website in this regard, and I feel may be a pivotal bend in the road of my own life. Where at first I figured it would be fun to see what would be made of an interesting dream I had a while ago, the real result of my coming across this website is that I have begun looking at my own dreams myself, and analysing what they are saying utilising the provided dream dictionaries.

The result has been astounding, and what has happened because of this is I have opened up conversation with an entity of me that until now I was completely unaware even existed. It is a path of self-improvement, and I am beginning to perceive the unconscious contents that I do not want to face, the monsters that I shall have to slay.

This really is a case of the old saying “give a man a fish and you can feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you can feed him for a lifetime.” Where I came with the interest of getting a free fish, I in fact learnt to fish myself, which I find of far greater value.

And this is basically what the website user can come out with. There is the opportunity to have dreams analysed, but there is also the tools to begin to develop the ability to undertake this analysis yourself.

On the issue of self-analysis I would like to put my own two cents in, that I can not stress how important it is to put the dream down on paper, get some feel of what the setting is, what the symbols are, what they represent, and how they relate to each other. I have thought I understood what a dream was saying when I have done all this in my head, but when I have written it down, dissected the contents, and completed my analysis I have come across a completely different conclusion that has opened my awareness about myself and helped me confront aspects that are already improving my lifestyle.

In addition to this I feel it is also important to get another’s input into the interpretation of the dream. As Girard states, there are multiple interpretations of a dream, all on different levels of understanding. As a professional cartographer I deal with creating symbols all the time, and I know that different symbols can be interpreted in different ways, and have multiple meanings. I use these facts to my advantage on a regular basis. At university I learnt ‘how to lie with maps’ which basically involves using different symbols to highlight a map’s specific meaning. The unconscious does this in our dreams (if you are a believer).

Going back to the reasons to get another’s input is your own focus-bias. If you are really examining a particular aspect of yourself consciously, such as spiritual growth for instance, you may completely overlook that your dream is saying that you are neglecting your physical health and miss a crucial ‘piece’ of self-analysis.

For this reason, there will always be a place for using the dream forum as a barometer on your own interpretations.

Something I think that is underutilised on the MDS website, that could be a unique and powerful tool, as well as generate something of a stronger community around this website, is the use of the discussion forum. I think it would be a most handy tool for the opening of communication between emerging dream analysts such as myself, along with the input of our veteran analysts such Girard. It could be an excellent forum for the exchange of ideas and expanding of mind. A collective conscious.

I will take up my own prerogative and go and introduce a topic there now.

Come join me.

Timmi

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 26 - Perth, Western Australia

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Timmi,
Thanks for the wonderful response. I will provide a more detailed response later today. I do want to comment on your suggestion about the Discussion Forum. I hope to expand that discussion soon. Time is the biggest obstacle but I sense that is about to change. I will definitely keep an eye on this forum and try to keep it up to date. i noticed you have a couple of recent posts which I will address later also.

Again, thanks for your input to this post.

gerard

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 58 Murfreesboro, Tn

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Hello Gerard and Timmi,

Regarding Gerard’s post, I do feel all dreams are meant to lead the soul to wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

Timmi wrote:

“This really is a case of the old saying “give a man a fish and you can feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you can feed him for a lifetime.” Where I came with the interest of getting a free fish, I in fact learnt to fish myself, which I find of far greater value.

And this is basically what the website user can come out with. There is the opportunity to have dreams analysed, but there is also the tools to begin to develop the ability to undertake this analysis yourself.

Going back to the reasons to get another’s input is your own focus-bias. If you are really examining a particular aspect of yourself consciously, such as spiritual growth for instance, you may completely overlook that your dream is saying that you are neglecting your physical health and miss a crucial ‘piece’ of self-analysis.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What you write is a perfect journey towards self-development. A great teacher guides and presents possibilities whereas you mark your own path.

Dreams certainly have multiple levels of meaning. I have been rereading Jeremy Taylor’s book WHERE PEOPLE FLY AND WATER RUNS UPHILL: USING DREAMS TO TAP THE WISDOM OF THE UNCONSCIOUS, and he feels strongly that EVERY dream in some way also presents the PHYSICAL state/condition of the dreamer. While this is hardly ever on my mind when I look at my dreams, it has caused me to experiment with and reconsider past dreams to see if any symbol(s) are presenting my physical state at that time, and especially if there is any reference to a particular body part.

I am also currently reading Clyde Ford’s book WHERE HEALING WATERS MEET: TOUCHING MIND AND EMOTION THROUGH THE BODY. In my opinion, it is an excellent resource to understand how our physical body holds all memories/emotions etc. and how through simple touch (by others or by oneself) we can release stored up physical pain/past trauma etc. This author also wrote COMPASSIONATE TOUCH. I am very much a true believer in self-healing. In line with what Gerard and Timmi wrote, with the right tools and right intention, you can accomplish anything .

Susanna

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Susanna,
There are many good teachers/guides to the dream world and personal growth. I have found those who are the best either have realized elements of Jungian psyche on their own or have studied Jung. Of course even Jung's conclusions were predicated on the oldest teaching guides in history, and continued with the modern teachers many of us will recognize {from Aristotle and Socrates to Kant, Spinoza and Schopenhauer}. It depends on the individual psyche to which guide 'catches' the imagination. And in many cases {as with my own} Serendipity chance that leads the individual down a path of true realizations. Discovery of a guide is usually the easier aspect of the journey. Enduring the tasks in life's journey is the hard part.

gerard

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 58 Murfreesboro, Tn

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Susanna, an interesting title of the book 'WHERE WATER RUNS UPHILL'. In my studies we found that it is rare, but possible for water to run uphill... Of course that is just technical definitions, it is complicated but makes sense scientifically speaking.

I most certainly am on a journey of self-development. It has been an eye opening journey all the way along, from its humble beginnings. It is interesting to note the guides that have marked the path, and even though not everything I have looked at has sat properly with me, it usually has led to a sign post that has directed me onwards in my search.

Where I will go from here is not crystal clear to me yet, but I think the answer I will find in my dreams.

Speaking of dreams and answers, the dream is a bridge between conscious and unconscious, but there is another bridge, meditation. This is something I have experimented with, with interesting results.

I suppose to me it is the mirror of dreams. Where dreams are the projection of symbols from the unconscious into the conscious, I see meditation as the projection of symbols from the conscious into the unconscious.

The biggest issue I face is not so much deciphering what the answers are, but rather what question should I ask?

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 26 - Perth, Western Australia

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Timmi,
"The biggest issue I face is not so much deciphering what the answers are, but rather what question should I ask?"

There is a quote from Joseph Campbell about mythology that provides much of the questions, as well as the possible answers.

Furthermore, we have not even to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known. We have only to follow the thread of the hero path, and where we we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god. And where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves. Where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world....

By exploring the myths and discovering the metaphors they present, and represent, you are able to realize the patterns of human behavior and how to reconcile those behaviors. Identifying with a myth or myths can lead you through the maze of life, guiding posts that provide clues to your won existence, and the clues to the mysteries of the universe.

And the same can be said of our dreams. Both myth and dreams use the same metaphors from the universal realm and these metaphors can also apply to the personal psyche. For instance. One myth that applies to my psyche, personality and mode of thinking is the 'Trickster' archetype. This pattern of behavior fits me perfectly and understanding the patterns for which my psyche best identifies with provides insights to my personality. There are other archetypes that fit but this one seems as if it were written specifically for me. "for the heroes of all time have gone before us", they have experienced the same experiences as I and thus provide experience of what I can expect.

Give that some thought and see if there is that mythological pattern that fits you. It may help.

There is one thing that should be understood about dreams, myths, archetypes and the quest for balance and harmony in life. It takes all of the above to get a sense of which direction to take, what path to travel in life. I do not use dreams exclusively as to how to live my life. I don't analyze all my dreams and even if I did if I wouldn't have the resources to understand the underlying message of the archetypes, unless I have studied the other related information that supports the unconscious psyche. Dreams are one aspect of te inner journey. It is the understanding of self from dreams that provide clues to what the true Self is about. Important yes, but not taken alone.

You may want to read more about Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth. It was this series of programs that awakened me to that other person within.

gerard

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 58 Murfreesboro, Tn

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I am a late bloomer, so to speak, in reading Jung. I read DREAMS... and thoroughly enjoyed the journey which evolved. I love to read dreams and one’s interpretations of them. I feel sharing dreams is important since our own perspective is not necessarily THE perspective. I began having dreams reflecting Jung’s concepts as I was reading the book and discovered for myself that certain concepts he relayed spoke of truth. Having your own experience says so much. I find Jung’s writing easy to read although some concepts may initially sound difficult because they are foreign in relation to what one is currently thinking.

I don’t accept everything I read and that includes Jung. I do not like the Personality Types he presents and that is due to my own dislike of “labels” and anything which might smack of being put into a “box” but that is my own personal concern. There are many people who like to identify being this or that personality type, etc.

I think Jungian concepts are a great basis for studying dreams. I also experiment with other angles/perspectives that other writers offer in doing dreamwork. Everyone has pieces of the puzzle but that puzzle may take on different forms in the process and not be what one first thought due to one’s ever evolving consciousness. One journeys where one desires to wander or stays where one wishes to set up camp. It’s all personal choice. The questions come when you desire to explore.

Susanna

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Susanna,
For me, and you, Jung comes naturally. That is the intuitive aspect of the psyche and Jung tapped into that with his philosophies on dreams and the collective unconscious. Like you I am not big on the personality types but most of those are not from Jung himself {Meyers-Briggs used his concepts of the psyche to formulate the 'types'}. For those who participate in the Individuation Process, 'stereotyping' of the personality is left behind. The goal is to incorporate and develop those traits that are less effective in the psyche. That sort of throws the whole concept of personality types on its head.

As for accepting other's concepts merely on faith alone. Well faith isn't something I subscribe to {Campbell's words, "I don't need faith, I have experience"}. But I have found that most reasonable concepts of the psyche by 'enlightened' teachers fall within the realms of what Jung proposed. That is because he did recognize the 'universal' aspects of the psyche and truth to be told is within that realm of knowledge. Most who I find to be the best 'tutors' of wisdom are females, ie Marion Woodman, Elaine Pagels, Jean Houston and so on. Of course there are many good male teachers also but it seems the feminine aspect, what I believe to be superior to the masculine, are better communicated by women authors and writers. But that is me. And i don't presume to be anyone special.

gerard

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*Follows the signposts, clicking heels, singing, and dancing*

The muddy waters are clearing.

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