Some History of Dreams and Their Interpretation

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All humans and many animals dream every night. Humans seem to always be fascinated to learn what causes dreams and what they mean. The interpretation of dreams dates back at least as far as 3000-4000 B.C. and were recorded in permanent form on clay tablets. It is felt that many primitive people were unable to initially distinguish between the real world and the dream world. Many looked upon the dream world as an extension of the physical world around them, and in many cases they saw the dream world as more powerful than the waking one. Dream interpretation was a very important field to the ancient Greek and Roman world. Dream interpreters often accompanied generals and other military leaders into battles. Dreams were taken extremely serious. The Greeks and Romans in particular often viewed dreams as messages sent by their gods. What is your interpretation as to why people dream? Do you feel they have a religious meaning? Do you think people who are able to interpret dreams receive these gifts directly from a god or the gods? Did you know that there are over 700 mentions of dreams in the bible. People in biblical times saw dreams as being very significant. Dreams and their interpretations are mentioned in many places in the Bible. What do you think about this? Do you think dreams are a form of prophecy, or omens or warnings of some kind? Do you think dreams are the work of demons? And if so, are they meant only to trouble the dreamer? Do you think dreams provide clues to healers to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of illness? Do you think dreams are a way to commune directly with gods nd spirits? Do you think that when you dream your soul leaves the body and communes with the spirit world? The Chinese was a culture that believed the soul left the body each night during dream sleep. They believed that if the dreamer were suddenly awakened the soul may not be able to return to the body. Some Chinese people are still leery about the use of alarm clocks for this reason. This is also an example of how ancient legends can linger into the modern world. Some Mexican and Native American societies share this anciet view of the importance of dreams, and share the belief in a separate dimension that is visited during dream sleep. They believed that their departed ancestors ived in their reams, and that they were able to take forms like animals and plants. The dreams were seen as a way to gather wisdom and knowledge that would serve them in their waking lives. Dreams were also seen as ways to gather information about the purpose or mission in life. Do you think dreams can tell us what our purpose or mission is in life? In the 19th century, dreams were often dismissed as reactions to anxiety, outside noises or even bad food and indigestion. What do you think about these causes for dreams? Some people today think dreams have no meaning at all and that interest in dream interpretation is almost gone. Is this true for how you feel today about dreams? Sigmund Freud, in th 19th century, surprised the world of psychiatry by stressing the importance of dreams. He revived the once dead art of dream interpretation. Daniel, the biblical prophet, was a great dream interpreter as well.