A Resource Center for Dreamers

by Gillian Holloway

A client of mine was telling me about a dream of attending a party thrown for her by some Italians. I asked her what Italians meant to her and she gave me a blank look. “Nothing,” she said. “There’s nothing special about Italians.” “Um,” I paused. “Well, how would the party have been different if the hosts had been a group of Klingons?” She began to laugh. It had been a great party, from her description, and the image of Klingons substituting as hosts helped her to recognize that the boisterous, emotional, celebratory quality in the dream was something she associated with her stereotype of Italians, as people who “know how to live.” The remainder of the dream dealt with her recent decision to accept life on its own terms, good and bad, and to be present more fully in her own life.

Symbols and images don’t necessarily stand out immediately when someone records or re-reads a dream. In fact, they often seem insignificant, even to people who are well aware that all elements in a dream may be quite meaningful since they were selected from a huge range of possibilities. One of the easiest ways to highlight what is special and significant about an image is to contrast it with another image that is in the same logical subset. Someone who dreamed of driving a cute red Volkswagon might be unable to articulate their sense of meaning about the car, until you ask them: “How is driving a red Volkswagon different from driving a Buick?” They immediately are more in touch with their association; that a Volkswagon is more hip and unconventional, less materialistic, and more adaptable because it’s ugly-cute style transcends fashion changes. From this description they can also recognize these adjectives accurately describe their new business venture involving alternative health practices and meditation.

Another use of the contrast technique is to contrast the dream imagery against typical waking reality. If the symbol in the dream differs vastly from what you would expect to find in waking life, you expect the difference to be relevant. If someone dreams of chopping firewood with a butter knife, you may need to keep a straight face and ask them how that would be different from cutting firewood with an axe or saw. Only then will the light go on, and they’ll see how impossible is the task they have undertaken. This realization in turn, will remind them they have just been asked to take on the responsibilities of a second department while reducing their own staff by a third. They are extremely overwhelmed and have inadequate tools to accomplish the job.

When you are working with your own dreams be sure to pose these contrasting questions from time to time. Even when the balance of the dream is unfolding nicely, it is good practice to ask: how is the search for a goat different from say, the search for a cow? This may trigger the recognition that in this particular instance it was important to find a scapegoat.

I find this technique saves time and irritation, since questions that don’t help meaning unfold can be annoying to dreamers. It is much more pleasant to respond to a contrast question than a direct question, which can seem like a challenge. Using this technique as a thinking style can speed up the recognition of meaning, and help group members develop skills as they observe the process.

Dr. Gillian Holloway holds M.A and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from The Rosebridge Graduate School of Integrative Psychology. (Now known as The American Schools of Professional Psychology, Rosebridge Campus.)

Dr. Holloway is a recognized expert in the field of dream interpretation and is frequently invited to be a guest on television and radio programs throughout the United States and Canada. At home in the Pacific Northwest, she teaches classes in dream analysis and intuitive development at local colleges in Washington and Oregon. She leads small private dream groups and appears as a trainer and speaker for groups interested in dream analysis and activating intuition.

Dedicated to making dreams more accessible to everyone, Dr. Holloway has been involved in dream analysis for more than 20 years. Visit her website.

Article reprinted with permission of author. Copyright 1995-2010 by Lifetreks, all rights reserved

by Gillian Holloway

It’s a tricky business, identifying just who a dream character represents. There are die-hards in every camp. Many people believe each tree, couch or blade of grass is actually your spirit guide. Some believe we are afraid to dream about the real people we love so we project associations onto “safe” characters. Still others believe every creature or object represents an element inside the dreamer. Taken to its logical extreme, even the chair in your dream would be the “inner chair” in you…

All of these rules-of-thumb became rules because they hold the key to uraveling some Dreams, sometimes. But Dreamwork is an area where dogmatism brings you to a sharp halt. Instead of trying to memorize “rules” I suggest you try on perspectives and look, listen and feel for a charge or connection. Here are some generalities about dream characters that may help guide your inquiries:

• Exotic fictional characters are very often aspects of the dreamer.
• People who are an everyday part of the dreamer’s waking life should be considered first to represent themselves. If this doesn’t make any sense, examine them to see if they symbolize internalized traits within the dreamer.
• Unknown characters of the same gender as the dreamer are often alter ego aspects of which the dreamer may or may not be aware.
• Animals are often representative of qualities of the dreamer, especially caged, neglected, or starved animals.

Dr. Gillian Holloway holds M.A and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from The Rosebridge Graduate School of Integrative Psychology. (Now known as The American Schools of Professional Psychology, Rosebridge Campus.)

Dr. Holloway is a recognized expert in the field of dream interpretation and is frequently invited to be a guest on television and radio programs throughout the United States and Canada. At home in the Pacific Northwest, she teaches classes in dream analysis and intuitive development at local colleges in Washington and Oregon. She leads small private dream groups and appears as a trainer and speaker for groups interested in dream analysis and activating intuition.

Dedicated to making dreams more accessible to everyone, Dr. Holloway has been involved in dream analysis for more than 20 years. Visit her website.

Article reprinted with permission of author. Copyright 1995-2010 by Lifetreks, all rights reserved

by Gillian Holloway

If you sometimes dream of being shown a buried treasure, receiving guidance along a road or path, or buying something "perfect" for you, your dreams may be offering encouragement about your true place in life, or what I call your "life assignment."

Each of us has a contribution to make to others, and as well aspersonal lessons of great significance to our own growth. When we find our niche in terms of service, we always find the perfect training ground for our individual lessons as well.

Dreams of finding your way, sharing your gifts with others, flying your own plane, or melting illusory obstacles tend to appear when you are being asked to release the "constructed" life you have created and embrace a path that is aligned with your greater destiny.

Many mystics believe the current era is one in which no talent or contribution can be wasted; that all people present on the planet today have critical tasks and important gifts to share. In my work with students and clients I have noted the four most common contexts which dreams address:

1. Work – (Including money and what you do every day.)
2. Relationships -(Who you love, and how you wish to be loved.)
3. Healing – (Elements from the past that still hurt and cry for resolution.)
4. Life Assignment – (What you came here to do.)

The subconscious mind has a strong problem-solving directive. This means that whatever is most pressing, threatening or compelling in waking life will be the life context most dreams are focused upon. Once that area becomes better resolved and integrated the dreaming mind will direct attention to the next challenge, or the next level of growth. In recent months however, I have seen a dramatic increase in dreams focusing upon the life assignment of individuals. Images of stripping off clothing that is too small, wise women encouraging the dreamer down a path, weaving magical fabric on an ordinary loom, and stepping up to home plate are just a few of the beautiful dream clues that have acted as road signs for people who are hearing the call of their life assignment.

Because people share so many amazing dreams with me, I have come to believe that there are few pains as relentless as that caused by the destiny we refuse to fulfill. It seems as if part of the psyche remembers why you decided to be born, and will cause you any amount of anguish necessary in order to bring you to the fork in the road where you must choose that path, even if it is in a sense of surrender or resignation because you know nothing will ever give you any peace until you at least try to fulfill your heart’s desire.

Ask your dreams for more direction

If your dreams seem to be addressing your destiny, but you aren’t quite sure about the message, I recommend you incubate more dreams about the topic. My clients have had wonderful results by formulating a question prior to bedtime, and then repeating the question in rhythmic fashion matched to their breathing as they fall asleep. Be sure to place a pad of paper and pen, or a tape recorder close by the bed so you can record the dreams that result from the incubation. Don’t be disappointed if you recall a vivid dream, but it doesn’t seem to address your question. It is extremely likely that the dream is providing you with an aerial view of your situation, one which is not distorted by the blind spots of the conscious mind, and thus it may be unrecognizable at first. Work with the dream, deciphering its symbols and action-metaphors, and then decide whether it answered your question. In waking life, organize your thoughts and actions to support, rather than sabotage your willingness to remember your life assignment.

Adjust your self-talk and your image of the future to expand possibilities rather than cling to a personal mythology of not having what you love. Try to behave in ways that communicate to all levels of your being that you are willing to embark on the tasks presented to you. Think of your actions as rituals of acknowledgment that help close the circle of insight you gain from your dreams. (The one thing you are afraid to do next is probably the right thing to do.)

If you begin dreaming of famous and brilliant people beware of the tendency to discount these images out of false modesty. If you dream of the most respected person in your field, or in the field you long to enter, this is almost certainly intended to catalyze your inner talent into taking a more prominent position in your waking life.

Many people have a pretty good idea of what they are meant to do in life, the pull of our potential selves is after all the pull of life itself. We can stand in our own way by preoccupation with linear thought. We want to know the job description, the salary and the company benefits before we are willing to listen to the muse that softly whispers in our dreams. While it is wise to maintain a threshold of well-being in life, I believe we can accept the essence of our work before the form actually arrives and becomes well-defined. Start doing the things that make your heart sing. Notice what your friends always request you do for them, and notice the advice you give others, for we often project our fondest wish on others.Your life assignment is often something you do so effortlessly that you wouldn’t consider it as a livelihood because it doesn’t seem like work. It is often something you already do well without formal training or "credentials." You may have an enormous love for some activity and feel more alive as you do it, but there is some very convincing obstacle that prevents you from accepting the work. Try meditating on your willingness to transcend these "obstacles." If you are willing to do the work you came here to do, the doors will open often against all odds, and you will find challenges respond to your intention to surmount them. Life will not become a "bowl of cherries," but you will become who you really are.

Dr. Gillian Holloway holds M.A and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from The Rosebridge Graduate School of Integrative Psychology. (Now known as The American Schools of Professional Psychology, Rosebridge Campus.)

Dedicated to making dreams more accessible to everyone, Dr. Holloway has been involved in dream analysis for more than 20 years. Visit her website.

Article reprinted with permission of author. Copyright 1995-2010 by Lifetreks, all rights reserved

by Gillian Holloway

Every 90 minutes while you are sleeping an exercise in personal growth and spiritual unfoldment takes place. The imagery in your dreams not only reflects current conflicts, but contains powerful messages about your life purpose and destiny as well. The respectful uncovering of these messages is a stunningly effective avenue for reconnecting with the more essential and divine self.

Gary was a hard-working likable man, proud of his job and his abilities. Increasingly though, Gary found his job unpleasantly stressful and he strained to adapt to the increased workload. Even when his energy and health wavered, Gary continued to force himself through the daily tunnel of work. In a short time, fatigue turned from an office joke into a chronic haze.

Gary struggled by day, and at night was tortured by grinding nightmares. He dreamed he was a young boy again, and his father berated him for his every action. He responded by trying to please his father, even agreeing that he was indeed "a screw-up." Inwardly he vowed to become perfect so that his father would be unable to find fault with him again. Regardless of his actions though, his father was never satisfied, and expressed scorn for Gray’s nervous nail-biting while recounting a litany of the boys shortcomings. These "fingernail" nightmares made little sense to Gary, since his father is now deceased, but he found them terribly upsetting and draining.

Many people are unaware their dreams primarily address current life circumstances even while borrowing emotional "snapshots" from past imprinting to tell their story. In considering this Gary realized his current boss evoked a sense of worthlessness that originated in his early relationship with his father. Identifying context is important, but the power of dreamwork lies in the knowledge that every dream contains special gift for the dreamer. The subconscious mind operates at the genius level, and may act as an intersection between the soul and the personality.

Thus dreams do not merely reflect what we know; they reveal seeds of wisdom that can actually free us from long standing impasses. The gift within Gray’s dream lay in reflecting his perpetuation of the pattern that controlled him. How we are treated by others is indeed a mirror of how we treat ourselves. Gary "chewed" on himself in response to criticism, and damaged his real self by striving for false perfection. He experienced a profound shift when we discussed the way self-criticism magnetically attracts the criticism of others, just as his nail-biting provoked the scorn of his father long ago. While this dream did not eliminate all Gray’s challenges, it led to a turning point in his relationship with himself, and thus in his world-view. Gary uses this dream as a talisman whenever he encounters triggers of the old pattern, and his freedom increases over time. As he releases the inner critic, his truer talents, expressions and unlimited self are emerging naturally.

We dream several times each night, but research shows the final dream just before awakening contains the most practical solutions to challenges. The first dream of the evening on the other hand, contains the most revelatory, mystical and psychic material. This dream may occur just as you drift off, or within the first two hours of sleep. If you want help with problem-solving, record your final dream in the morning. If you seek visionary and psychic input try to capture your first dream of the night. Whatever your goal use a dream journal. Recording dreams on a regular basis connects the rational mind with the inner life, and forges vital partnerships between aspects of the self.

Record your dreams from start to finish using present tense, as if you are re-living the events. If the dream is quite long, record scenes in separate paragraphs and analyze them one at a time. Highlight action passages. They are most often metaphors for the targeted action in waking life. Struggling uphill often reflects burdens and extra challenges on the road to improved circumstances. What feels like an uphill battle right now?

Trying to find a parking place suggests career challenges. Where are you supposed to part your "vehicle" right now? Emotional upheavals may generate dreams of floods, or terrible earthquakes. Notice your attempted solutions and how they affect the outcome.

The action-reaction cycle in your dream gives clues to waking patterns and how they improve or perpetuate challenges. People with eating disorders often dream of starving or overfeeding their pets; both are attempts to correct an imbalance which instead perpetuate. it. Such dreams usually contain gifts of spiritual or psychological insights into the origin of the person’s pain, as well as clues toward possible solutions. If you recognize patterns in your dreams, look carefully for the part you play in the patterns, and at imagery that suggests healing and change.

How did you feel in the dream? Intense emotion is the subconscious mind’s volume control and increases recall. Scenes of natural disasters, sinking ships and mortal wounds are common shortly after romantic break-ups and other losses. Remember that violence in dreams is usually about violence to the self. Those gory scenes depict internal pain more often than physical danger.

One man dreamed repeatedly of a gathering tornado arriving at his home and tearing it apart. In a matter of months his wife left him, took their children and file:d for divorce, devastating his life as he knew it. This same man though, was later helped to rebuild his life by a series of dreams featuring angels assisting him at a construction site. Whenever fear overwhelmed him, a being of light arrived to show the next step. He understood these dreams to mean his spiritual connection would see him through the task of rebuilding his life. This appears to have come true, for he later regained custody of the children, developed a new career, and recently purchased a home where they have created a new and happy life together.

Many symbols have quite obvious meaning, as in the poignant dream of a of a man who discovered a compass within his heart. His sense of direction and life purpose did become clear when he followed his heart. When a symbol is less obvious, examine your associations by describing it with a few adjectives. Ask what in your life could also be described by those same adjectives. You may want to consider spiritual and transpersonal symbology as well. Double check the interpretation by the degree to which it is congruent with the action of the dream. For example: many people consider water a symbol for universal wisdom. While holding merit as one possibility, this belief fails the test of plot congruence more often than not. A recently divorced woman who dreams of water flooding her basement and threatening to pull her under is not dreaming of drowning in universal wisdom. She is of course dealing with a frightening flood of emotion, and her fears of becoming engulfed by a tide of feelings. The symbols’ meaning will generally coincide beautifully with the dreams story line. One woman dreamed of making breakfast for her children using a corkscrew to scramble their eggs. This was not only ineffective, but extremely upsetting to her. We discovered the corkscrew symbolized her increasing tendency to use alcohol, and warned that soon this pattern would impact her ability to "nourish" her children. Expect symbols to fit, use a light touch to unravel them, and they will reveal their secrets to you.

You may have noticed an increase in spiritual imagery in your dream lately. Many people are reporting flying journeys, recovering mystical abilities, explanations of planetary changes, and experiences of divine light and angelic contact. Whether we hold these events as experiences or dreams is a matter of individual truth. What I find most compelling is the undeniable personal transformation and healing that accompanies them. Barbara Marx Hubbard said of our evolution that we are now inheriting the abilities of the gods. The dream realm offers a training ground for practicing powers of healing, forgiveness and oneness that seem part of a developmental emergence. If the secret of life is indeed within, then our dreams are surely signposts along that inner journey. Trust in yourself by trusting those dreams, and explore them fearlessly.

Dr. Gillian Holloway holds M.A and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from The Rosebridge Graduate School of Integrative Psychology. (Now known as The American Schools of Professional Psychology, Rosebridge Campus.)

Dedicated to making dreams more accessible to everyone, Dr. Holloway has been involved in dream analysis for more than 20 years. Visit her website.

Article reprinted with permission of author. Copyright 1995-2010 by Lifetreks, all rights reserved