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Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of Your Subconscious

"Carl Jung once said that the dream is a small, hidden door in the deepest and most intimate sanctum of the soul, opening to a primeval cosmic night that was soul long before there was a conscious ego and will be soul far beyond what a conscious ego could ever reach.

Dreams have a way of bringing to the surface what is buried deep in the subconscious. Some dreams are mundane, while others leave a lasting impact on our consciousness. Keeping a log of your dreams can help you sort through psychological tools, esoteric teachings, symbols, and much more.

I have been journaling my dreams on and off for as long as I can remember. As I dive deep into my inner shadow work, I realize the importance of keeping a log of my journal. One particular dream from 2014 shook me so gravely that I scrambled to find my journal to write it down. The call to action was clear - I had to find out who I was. 

A dream, I Dreamt One Night Long Ago 

My dream begins on the top of a towering sand dune, overlooking a vast and desolate desert. The air is thick with the scent of sand and solitude, and I am completely alone with nothing but miles of tiny grains of sand stretching out before me. It is a stark and eerie landscape that leaves me questioning whether I am dreaming or not.

As I stand there, my heart begins to pound in my chest, and I feel the thrum of its vibration throughout my entire body. Suddenly, a beam of bright white light illuminates me, and in that moment, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose and curiosity. Who am I? What is my place in this world?

As I look out over the horizon, the landscape shifts and transforms into a breathtaking mountain range, stretching as far as the eye can see until it meets the distant ocean. But as I try to take in the beauty before me, the scene blurs and morphs into a screen.

On this screen, I see images of conflict and chaos: bombs exploding, guns firing, blood staining the ground, and bodies lying lifeless. The scenes shift rapidly, taking me on a whirlwind tour of places like Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, South Sudan, Mexico, and Thailand - all hotbeds of conflict and strife.

Despite the darkness of these images, I am transfixed by the stories unfolding before me. The tales of misunderstanding, mistrust, and heroism are powerful and poignant, leaving an indelible impression on my mind.

As the dream fades and I awaken, I am left with a sense of purpose and a desire to understand the world around me. It is a dream that will stay with me, driving me to seek out the truth and to make a difference wherever I can.

The dream’s call to action is clear, it wants me to explore, who am I. 

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Contemplation: 

  • Do you make it a habit to record your dreams on a daily basis?

    Moreover, what are some of the insights and connections you have gained through your dreams?

Consider taking a deeper look at your dreams and exploring the discoveries and connections you can make during dream time. Your subconscious may be trying to communicate something to you that wants to be seen and understood. Until tomorrow, sweet dreams.

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Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of the Subconscious a Personal Tale
Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of the Subconscious a Personal Tale

At the beginning of December 2013, I found myself at a breaking point. I had been feeling lost and stuck in my life, and the weight of my own confusion was starting to feel unbearable. I knew I needed to make a change, but I had no idea how to do it.

That's when I stumbled upon Meetup.com, a website that helps people find groups and events in their area. I started searching for courses and workshops that might help me deal with my existential crisis, and I found two that caught my eye: a Shamanic Drum Journey Class and a Rebirth and Renewal class. Both were being held in Oakland, California, which was a bit of a journey from my home in Redwood City.

Despite the distance, I felt drawn to both courses, and I decided to take a chance and sign up for both. The Shamanic Drum Journey Class was happening that weekend, so I packed a bag and headed to Oakland.

Peeling Away the Persona: Becoming Your Authentic Self According to Carl Jung
Peeling Away the Persona: Becoming Your Authentic Self According to Carl Jung

“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” Carl Jung

According to Carl Jung, the persona is the social face or role an individual presents to the world. The root of the word persona comes from the Greek word "actor's mask." When used under Carl Jung's model of the psyche, persona also means the social mask. Therefore our persona, much like a mask at a Masquerade, is designed to make an impression on others. It also conceals the authentic nature of the individual.

Understanding the Ego: Using it as a Tool, Not a Master"
Understanding the Ego: Using it as a Tool, Not a Master"

"The ego is not a thing but a verb" - Alan Watts

The ego is a complex phenomenon that has fascinated psychologists and philosophers for centuries. It is a term that is often used in our everyday language, yet its function and importance are not fully understood. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of the ego and its role in our lives.

Carl Jung defined the ego as the center of our field of consciousness. Imagine an egg-shaped circle around our human body, and the ego is the yolk. The ego resides in our psyche and is part of our conscious awareness, although not all of the operations of the ego are conscious. Ego gives us our sense of identity and existence. The ego is the organized part of our personality and works as a command center performing defensive, perceptual, intellectual-cognitive, and executive functions. In layman's terms, the data organized by the ego comes in the form of sense, feelings, thoughts, intuition, and modulates our access to memories. The ego is the connection between the inner and outer world, which then sets the constructs on how we relate to the external world.

The Shadow: What It Is, Obstacles to Look Out For, and the Benefits of Doing Shadow Work
The Shadow: What It Is, Obstacles to Look Out For, and the Benefits of Doing Shadow Work

John Welwood coined the phrase "spiritual bypassing." In his words, it means "spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep personal, emotional 'unfinished business,' to shore up a shaky sense of self, or to belittle basic needs, feelings, and developmental tasks." I sheepishly admit I have done my fair share of spiritual bypassing in my day. It was always with good intentions, I promise. I wanted to focus on all the positive qualities within myself and shut out the rest. I thought it would lead me to be a better version of myself. However, just as the saying goes, "The road to hell is paved on good intentions."

It got to a point where I was living so high vibe that I found myself triggered by all that was opposite of that state. However, the time came when I had to sit with the dissonance growing in my heart. I had to face my shadow. The shadow is the repressed parts of ourselves that tend to show up in other people in present circumstances. However, if someone triggers you, it is not necessarily always your shadow. Regardless of what it is, the key is to explore the possibility that it might be your shadow. To better understand the trigger and what is happening within, inner reflection is required. The other intriguing thing about the shadow is that just like in real life, we don't see our own shadow well, but others around us can often clearly see it.

Exploring Carl Jung's Concept of the Collective Shadow: Moving Beyond "Us vs. Them" Mentality
Exploring Carl Jung's Concept of the Collective Shadow: Moving Beyond "Us vs. Them" Mentality

"None of us stands outside humanity's black collective shadow," said Carl Jung.

These words ring true even today, as we continue to grapple with the deeply ingrained societal issues that plague us. We live in a world where it's all too easy to take sides, to see things in black and white, to label people as "us" or "them." But this divisive mindset only serves to further fuel the collective shadow that looms over us all.

The individual shadow, as we have previously discussed, is the repressed parts of our own selves. But what many fail to realize is that this individual shadow is but a small part of a larger, collective shadow that encompasses our entire society. This shadow is made up of the suppressed and repressed parts of our culture, the traumas we've experienced as a group, and the dark aspects of our collective psyche that we would rather ignore than confront.

Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of Your Subconscious
Decoding the Meanings of Dream Symbols: Exploring the Depths of Your Subconscious

"Carl Jung once said that the dream is a small, hidden door in the deepest and most intimate sanctum of the soul, opening to a primeval cosmic night that was soul long before there was a conscious ego and will be soul far beyond what a conscious ego could ever reach.

Dreams have a way of bringing to the surface what is buried deep in the subconscious.

The Anima and Animus: Understanding the Inner Opposites
The Anima and Animus: Understanding the Inner Opposites

In the world of psychology, the concept of the anima and animus is an essential part of understanding the human psyche. These archetypes were first introduced by the famous Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung, who believed that every individual has both masculine and feminine qualities within them, regardless of their gender identity.

The anima represents the feminine aspect within a man's psyche, while the animus represents the masculine aspect within a woman's psyche. These aspects of our psyche can manifest in various ways, depending on how well they are integrated into our conscious awareness. When these aspects are not well integrated, they can cause trouble in our relationships with others and ourselves.

Cultivating The Self: Practices for Self-Discovery and Personal Growth
Cultivating The Self: Practices for Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Carl Jung once said, "The Self...might equally be called the 'God within us.'" In the depths of our being lies the Self, the totality of our conscious and unconscious, the place where we access our divinity. But how do we connect with this higher Self, and what happens when we do?

For some, the path to the Self may come through meditation, yoga, a vision quest, or even a near-death experience. For others, it may involve examining our shadows, integrating our anima/animus, and encountering the wise man/woman within us. Whatever the journey, the experience of connecting with the Self can be transformative and life-changing.

Archetypes: Unveiling the Mystic and Significance
Archetypes: Unveiling the Mystic and Significance

Carl Jung once said, "The primordial image, or archetype, is a figure--be it a daemon, a human being, or a process--that constantly recurs in the course of history and appears wherever creative fantasy is freely expressed. Essentially, therefore, it is a mythological figure..." These archetypal images are symbols, motifs, and universal patterns that are buried deep in our collective unconscious and our primal nature. They have been present since the beginning of human history and can be found in religion, business, myths, and in the timeless characters we love.

Understanding archetypes and their significance can give us a better insight into our internal conflicts, the role society plays in our lives, and how we can use them to create meaningful change. Archetypes help us to understand ourselves and others, giving us a framework to work with in our everyday lives.

The Path of Individuation: Understanding Carl Jung's Model of the Psyche
The Path of Individuation: Understanding Carl Jung's Model of the Psyche

Have you ever felt like there is something missing in your life, like you're not quite living up to your full potential or purpose? If so, you're not alone. Many of us feel this way at some point in our lives. Carl Jung, a renowned Swiss psychologist, believed that the path to living a fulfilling and meaningful life is through the process of individuation.

Individuation is the journey of becoming your true self. It's a process of self-discovery, growth, and transformation that leads to a deep sense of inner peace and fulfillment. It's the process of integrating all aspects of yourself, both the light and the dark, into a cohesive whole.

What is Synchronicity?
What is Synchronicity?

Have you ever experienced a moment where you randomly bumped into an old friend you were just thinking about? Or received a phone call from someone you were just thinking of calling? These types of events are often called coincidences or synchronicities, and they can have a profound impact on our lives.

Synchronicity is a concept that was first introduced by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. He defined it as a meaningful coincidence that occurs without any apparent cause. Essentially, it's when two or more events happen in a way that seems to defy the laws of probability and suggests a deeper connection.

Understanding Shadow Projection: How Our Unconscious Beliefs Shape Our Perception of Others
Understanding Shadow Projection: How Our Unconscious Beliefs Shape Our Perception of Others

Projection is a complex psychological phenomenon that occurs when we unconsciously attribute to others the qualities or traits that we cannot or do not want to recognize in ourselves. This can happen in many areas of our lives, such as in our personal relationships, at work, in our communities, and even in our political views.

For example, if someone has an unconscious fear of being abandoned, they may project this fear onto their partner and perceive them as distant or uncaring, even if their partner is not behaving in that way. In reality, the person is projecting their own fear of abandonment onto their partner, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflict in the relationship.

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