Why We Must Study the Ordinary and Extraordinary of Dreams
Why do we dream? According to Angel Morgan’s speech for the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), the answer is often existential. Many people explore dreams because they have questions about life and existence, hoping to uncover a deeper meaning.
This resonates deeply with me. I have been interested in dreams since an early age, and as a clinician, I believe that analyzing dreams is a powerful tool to help clients find healing. But studying dreams isn't just about interpreting symbols; it's about understanding the phenomena that happen when we sleep.
From Sleep Paralysis to "Big Dreams"
One phenomenon mentioned by the IASD is sleep paralysis. This hit home for me personally. I have experienced sleep paralysis many times. In the past, I’ve received religious and spiritual explanations for why I couldn't move while my mind was awake. Now, I am excited to explore this through a transpersonal lens, understanding it not just as a terrifying event, but as a unique state of consciousness worth studying.
I was also fascinated to learn about "Dream Circles" and the development of dream arts curricula, new tools I hadn't considered for therapy but am eager to investigate.
The Spiritual Bridge
In a panel discussion with experts Rubin Naiman, Deirdre Barrett, and Kelly Bulkeley, the conversation turned to "Big Dreams", those impactful, realistic nightmares or visions that are impossible to forget. Bulkeley suggested that dreaming is a way of connecting the spiritual realm with the physical realm.
This aligns with the Eastern perspective on psychopathology, which views mental health issues as external manifestations of unconscious problems.
If we view the mind this way, then dreaming becomes the access key. Through dreaming, we can access the unconscious mind via the spiritual realm, finding answers to questions that manifest as "symptoms" in our physical reality.
A Question for Neurofeedback
One point that sparked my curiosity was the discussion on brain activity. It was suggested that dreaming takes up a specific, efficient amount of brain activity.
As someone interested in neurofeedback, I immediately wondered: How does the brain activity of a dreamer compare to an individual in deep meditation? If both are accessing altered states of consciousness, are the neural signatures similar?
Dreams are not just random firing of neurons; they are a gateway. And whether we are looking at them through a spiritual lens or looking at the brain waves on a monitor, there is so much more to discover.
