A Dream About Fears And Renewal
Dear Nancy: This dream came to me shortly before I attended my family reunion in New York. My family all lived in Maine and I have settled in the West. One of the hardest parts of this distance is that sometimes I feel forgotten and abandoned. - Linda
I am back East with my mother and in-laws. We are in an old brick building, a railroad station. It is a very beautiful building with sunlight streaming in the windows and an Olympic-size swimming pool in the middle. The pool is beautiful and I see railroad tracks running right into it under water. Everyone, including my father-in-law, husband and brother, unexpectedly jump into the pool. I am anxious but I dive in. The water seems difficult to swim in but it is refreshing. When my father-in-law gets out of the pool, he looks like a kid again.
Dear Linda: This dream came at a time when you were anticipating your family gathering. The old railroad station in the East is the gathering place. Railroads were the first connecting link between the East and the West in our country. This was an important and influential part of our history. Your family chooses a railroad station as the place to make their connection with each other.
It is a beautiful place with a pool. The swimming pool suggests relaxation and play, certainly an aspect of your family gathering. The alchemical moment when everyone jumps into the water brings to mind a renewal or baptism. Water is cleansing and a common symbol of new life or healing. Your father-in-law becomes like a kid again, restoring his youth-like vitality.
Your dream suggests that your feelings of being forgotten by your family are probably more your own fears than the actual truth. The joy and camaraderie shown in this dream should give you reassurance of that, Linda.
Tips for readers: Are you having a hard time remembering your dreams? Here are some tips I’ve found to be helpful.
The most fundamental key in dream recall is simple and heartfelt desire. The commitment to learning about your own inner nature through dream work and viewing each night as an adventure will be beneficial in remembering your dreams. We spend a third of our lives in sleep. Why waste the dream state, which is probably the most creative time of our lives? Making this commitment is the first step.
Keep a dream journal by your bed, and upon awakening, write the first thing that comes to mind. Even dream fragments will be helpful. Many times writing these fragments will trigger more of the dream to your consciousness.
If you can possibly do this, wake up naturally, without alarms or music. I trained myself to wake up according to my “inner clock.” If I need to be awake at 5 a.m., I just give my inner self that information before I go to sleep and it has never failed. Try setting your inner alarm a few minutes before your clock alarm goes off. You’ll be amazed how this works.
Upon awakening, lie still in the same position. Don’t move. Just think about what you were experiencing before you woke. Then change positions and see if other dream memories emerge. Many times you will recall the dream you had while sleeping in that particular position.
With a little practice you will soon be remembering three to four dreams a week. Don’t forget to write them down and send one to me!
xxxx