What is The Meaning Behind Dreams?

Many people ask, "what is the meaning behind dreams?" for many different reasons. Do you want to know the meaning behind dreams because you have the same dream every night? Is it because you've had a nightmare? Or, do you wish to know the meaning behind dreams because you had a dream that was so vivid it seemed real? Some people experience a dream, which was so profound and vivid, they believe that their must be a meaning behind dreams because their mind is trying to tell them something!

Since written history began we know that everyone from the wealthy to the poor and kings to paupers have all wanted to know the meaning behind dreams. Ancient shamans, priests and holy men were consulted for their knowledge and ability to interpret the meaning behind dreams.

Even in the 21st Century we realize that the meaning behind dreams are important and can aid us in our normal waking activities.

Having an understanding of the meaning behind dreams can give benefits beyond just satisfying your curiosity. The meaning behind dreams are often a great indication of how you are viewing your life, aspirations and relationships. Armed with this knowledge you can use the meaning behind dreams to help you deal with emotions and thoughts that are either helping or hindering your progress in life.

Did you know that the conscious mind can only process between 3 and 7 things at any one time? However, your subconscious mind is aware of millions of stimuli every second? This data is stored in your brain until a time when you can analyse it properly. It is usually when you dream that your subconscious mind begins processing this stored data without the interference of the conscious mind. Everyday events that may have went unnoticed by you, important and unimportant, are processed by your brain and incorporated into the meaning behind dreams.

In addition to outside information we also have internal information, like questions or problems, which we keep in mind during an average day. The subconscious mind will also process these problems and try to find solutions to give you in the meaning behind dreams.

However, the subconscious mind deals in pictures, feelings and symbols. Many times the meaning behind dreams is not understood because you do not know how to read the symbolism. Learn to understand the symbols and you will know the meaning behind dreams

Symbolism can be subtle or profound in the meaning behind dreams. One example of easy to understand symbolism of dreams would be as follows; let's say you dream you are galloping a horse to a specific place. At every turn you are encountering hurdles like fallen branches or picket fences that you must jump or manoeuvre around. You refuse to slow down feeling you need to get to your destination quickly. You pass a carnival and groups of people laughing and having fun. Eventually you fall from the horse. What's the meaning behind dreams such as this one?

Well to understand the meaning behind dreams like this first determine what a horse means to you. Horses are majestic animals that are strong and fast. You are galloping the horse and having to avoid obstacles. Does this mean you are racing too fats towards a goal and not slowing down to safely manoeuvre the obstacles (remember you eventually fall off). You pass crowds of happy people indicating you are not taking time to enjoy yourself and relax. The meaning behind dreams like this would indicate you need to slow down and have more fun or you will derail yourself.

It is easy to understand the meaning behind dreams with a good dream reference book - meaning behind dreams.

However, there is another type of dream that can also show you the meaning behind dreams. This type of dream is known as a lucid dream. In a lucid dream you can control everything about it. You can be, do or have anything and the dream is so vivid that it is just like reality. If you wanted to know the meaning behind dreams you've had you could visit Freud and have him analyse them or even just talk to some dream people and ask them what the dream is about!

Using a dream guide will help you learn the meaning behind dreams and so will lucid dreaming. However, lucid dreaming will also let you experience your fantasies. Which one is best for you to learn the meaning behind dreams I will let you decide.