It’s Time To Face Childhood Issues

Dear Nancy: I have had frequent dreams with this same theme. Although I have been going through many changes recently, the setting of these dreams reminds me of my childhood, working with my family as a fruit picker. These dreams are beginning to drive me up a wall. If you can help me, I’m hoping I will be able to rest in my sleep and not be afraid. - Sylvia

I am running through an orchard. At times I am having to hide from someone or something that is chasing me. I wake up in a panic.

Dear Sylvia: Many dreams come to us with the purpose of bringing up our childhood issues. On the phone you indicated that your father was extremely abusive during this period in your life and that this may be who you are running and hiding from. Your psyche may be pointing out to you that you still carry those fears from your childhood and it may be time to face up to them and to find some resolution in your relationship with your father.

I would recommend that you try to turn around and face your pursuer, in your dream or during a waking meditation, and ask for understanding. Although facing a fear requires courage, the willingness to act on our own behalf in a dream, as in life, is an appropriate and necessary response.

At times, in a dream, we may need to slay our attacker. Most often, when we stand our ground and ask for information, we will receive the gift of understanding. The questions “Why are you chasing me?” “What is it that you want from me?” and “Why are you here in my dream?” are all valuable sources of information.

Most likely, Sylvia, these dreams are telling you that it’s time to deal with those painful childhood memories. Using dream work as a guide, perhaps you and a counselor can resolve these nightmares. I wish you the best.

Tips for readers

For the past three weeks I’ve given you some pointers on sharing dreams in a dream group. Here is the last installment of those tips:

Dream re-entry. Enter the dream in a meditative state and take yourself through it. Make changes where you would want to act differently. Where you have been timid, call on your strength. Where you have been wounded, find a healing source.

Dialoguing with the dream images is a means to be more intimate and have further knowledge of them. Invite them, as living beings, into the room. Look into the being’s eyes. Then be the being looking back at you. What is it like being that person or creature? How does it feel, what does it know? You can ask any questions of the image. Be patient; allow whatever is communicated to come.

Follow the dream images, let them take you on a journey. The dreamer will usually receive a gift, whether it be in the form of an object or an understanding. Thank the image for being with you.

Members of the group may at this point suggest, “If this were my dream, I would want to know, or do, or be, etc.” Only after the dreamer has worked out as much as possible in the dream should this be done. This is honoring the dreamer and honoring the dream. Any suggestions for further exploration of the dream may be given at this point. For example: artwork, active visualization, etc.

Ask the dreamer if he or she feels complete.

xxxx