How are dreams interpreted

[sarahsimagination]

Call me a conflict theorist but, I have a question about dream interpretation, how do you interpret what someone dreams and how is it scientific?
I've read on websites dream dictionaries but, who is to say those interpretations are right? Everyone has a different perspective in society
and the world. How one thinks is right another thinks is wrong in different societies. Every mind is a mind of its own and everyone's mind is unique and different like a fingerprint. Why should an interpretation of example: death = life? What is the scientific reasoning behind this? so everything is opposite? I don't think there is any specific rule to interpretation, people interpret with their instinct, spiritual guidance, religion, relation to the subject, psychology, superstition, and so on..... We all interpret according to our beliefs and society.

[karmicresponse]

Dear writer: I am in complete agreement with you. The application of precribed symbols to dreams is bound to be innacurate. You are also correct each persons intreptation is colored by their life history experiences, education and belief systems. In my opinion, the best way to begin the process of intrepretation is to take a few moments and try to visualize the situation the writer has described, or put yourself in that framework. Secondly look for obvious discrepancies in both flow of events, and items described in that dream. From that point try to interpret what items should be taken at face value versus the items which should be viewed as symbols. Symbols are often placed in dreams simply as locator points, such as are street signs in real life. Other symbols are placed as governers of energy. That is the energy will flow between a given time span, or the end result of the energy flow w3ill result in a given circumstance. There are a lot of clues, its just a matter of practice in putting it all together. Best Regards

[PandorasKyn]

I agree with both of you-

while it is not an exact science, it is something that takes time, practice, logic and a myriad of other things to hone.

everyone has their own way of viewing things and their own perceptions. my translation of a bird may be the complete opposite of your translation of a bird. however - when it boils down to it - most people will pick up on the same symbols within a dream. - and no matter who interprets it, the dreamer will take the meaning that they are most comfortable believing. they may even pick and choose.

so unlike science which is/can be exact - interpretation of dreams is an art, thereby allowing for creative differences.