In Your Dreams: Common Dream Themes

We are such stuff as dreams are made of; and our little life is rounded with sleep.

~ Shakespeare , The Tempest

Dreams are often profound when they seem the most crazy.

~ Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams

Dreams offer private means of exploring one’s inner reality, a sanctuary to gain unique, undeniable, personal experiences. Dreams encompass yet another dimension of experience, a world as yet unexplored by most, where a fascinating sphere of activity awaits exploration and promising rewards for greater fulfillment in our waking lives.

Some dream themes are universal in their occurrence and likely in their meaning. Although every dream is connected with an individual’s background, emotions and experiences, dream experiences serve to connect us as a human race – who shares common concerns, hopes, fears, conflicts and desires.

In understanding dreams, one will have a better understanding and discovery of one’s self. Here are the most common dream themes.

• Chase or Attack. These dreams stem from feelings of fear, stress or anxiety in your waking life. Instead of confronting the situation, you are running away and avoiding it. The pursuer or attacker who is chasing you in your dream may represent a part of yourself – anger, jealousy, fear, love or self-destructive behavior – which subconsciously threatens or jeopardizes your relationships and careers.

• Falling dream. Falling is an indication of anxieties, instabilities and insecurities. It often reflects a sense of failure or inferiority. You may be feeling overwhelmed, weighed down, unsupported and out of control in your waking life.

• Taking an exam. This indicates that you are being anxious, distressed and frustrated about other people’s expectations of you. These dreams usually have something to do with your self-esteem and confidence, or the lack of it.

• Naked. Clothes are meant for concealment; and without them, you feel embarrassed, vulnerable or unprotected. When in your dream no one seems to notice your nakedness, you may be over-exaggerating your worries and fears. On the other hand, such dreams may signify your desire (or failure) to get noticed.

• Flying. Dreams of flying suggest your strong will and mind. Since the ability to fly is beyond our physical limitations, you believe that you can be anybody and do anything. These dreams create in you a great sense of joy, excitement and freedom.

• Falling teeth. Such dreams convey your anxiety about how you look and how others perceive you; since teeth are important features of one’s attractiveness. You may be harboring feelings of awkwardness, inadequacy and insecurity. In some cultures, though, losing teeth may indicate that a family member or close friend is very sick or even near death. It was also thought that falling teeth symbolizes money. Similar to the story that if you lose a tooth and leave it under the pillow, a tooth fairy will bring you money.