Dreams are essentially a form of imagination. Though subconsciously directed, the dreams come from the mind and are wandering thoughts that are not especially guided toward anything specific, or at least in a conscious manner. Where the waking imagination involves some control either in the fact that the thinking is purposely instigated or, if the result of absent-minded free associated thinking, we still have some cognitive sense that we are imagining and can shake ourselves loose from these thoughts in a relatively easy manner in most cases.
When the imagination is relegated to the subconscious then the thought processes can seem to be unorganized with a free association pattern similar to waking imagination, but with greater symbolic significance. Our wakeful imagination will typically take us to places that we purposefully will upon our minds and we will in most cases take control of that imagination story. However in sleep dreams the imagination is guided by inner forces less related to logic and more in touch with body functions and memory traces that linger from a previous time.
In sleep, imagination goes just a bit wild communicating in some primeval code perhaps or a language that is not necessarily intelligible to everyday reason. What we imagine in dreams is either accepted and then forgotten or puzzled upon and if we wish, deciphered through interpretation. In some cases that interpretation can be reasonably correct while at other times it may be pure speculation based on what we wish the meaning to be or what we think dream analysts have determined that meaning to be. When the dreams are deciphered either wrongly or rightly it is the result of waking imagination trying to second guess the imagination of the subconscious mind.
Have you ever developed a story based on a dream that you've had? Do you ever awaken to finish out your dream using your wakened mind reasoning? Do you think dreams are mostly nonsensical doodling of the subconscious imagination?
I think dreams are some kind of subconscious desire to resolve things in our lives, even when they manifest themselves as super weird and bizarre.
ReplyDeleteI think this is frequently the case.
DeleteLee
I think I had a dream last night that was a warning. I told someone at work a secret about someone else, and then was furious and flabbergasted when she told several other people. My conclusion was: keep your lips zipped. Usually my dreams are just strings of random crazy things happening, though.
ReplyDeleteI think we often get good sense messages from the dreams that our subconscious mind wants us to heed.
DeleteLee
I'll wake up during the night while dreaming, but it didn't finish and sometimes I can get myself to continue the dream to see how it plays out. Usually, I am able to direct the way I want it to go, too. That's always cool! Most of the time, my dreams are mismatched fragments that make little to no sense. I don't often put a lot of stock in my dreams, but I do enjoy having them.
ReplyDeleteDreams can have great entertainment value!
DeleteLee
I once dreamed I was given a flute, and in waking life I then went and bought one and learned how to play it...never considered myself to be musical but it did bring moments of pleasure
ReplyDeletezannierose A-Z
I have some of my best spurts of imagination when I am sleeping (and I remember it when I'm awake). I think it's because my mind is clear from everyday worries and concerns. Keep up the good work! Found you on A to Z! www.dianeweidenbenner.com
ReplyDeleteJust thinking how this post takes the Dream Psychology up a notch..really two or three with the deeper delving into the question of subconscious vs conscious imagination. I wonder if being extremely imaginative in a conscious awake state precludes the same level of imagination in ones dreams....or visa versa.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your always thoughtful questions...Yes, I have written stories based on dreams. Definitely on finishing the dream with a wakened mind. As an artful doodler, I often am surprised at the results of what I unconsciously create. However, I am purposeful in making them make sense and represent something I can recognize. My guess would be my dream doodling would be the same. I'd like it to be the opposite...it's tiring trying to make sense out of everything.
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I've taken snippets of details from my dreams, but not entire dreams as mine are a whirlwind of confusion:)
ReplyDeleteAll I know is I have woken during a dream and fell back to sleep to pick it up in the same place again a number of times. And I have dreamed answers to problems at work and to computer issues. What those things say about me, I don't know.
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Thanks Arlee - what I think is valuable about dreams is that we have no control over them. It's not possible to control the unconscious. It is '..guided by inner forces less related to logic..'. as you say. What is possible is to let our imagination take flight when we reflect on or dreams. I'm wondering now whether I've used a dream in a story, I don't think so. Many writers do, Edgar Allan Poe comes to mind. No, I do not think dreams are nonsensical doodlings! Have a lovely weekend!
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