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Dreams
Dreams are the mental experiences (sensory, emotional, narrative) that occur mainly during the REM phase of sleep. They are studied both by neuroscience (which investigates their cerebral basis) and by psychoanalysis (which reads them as symbolic material).
Neuroscience of dreams
During the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase, brain activity is similar to waking, with the visual cortex active and the voluntary muscles paralysed. The most vivid dreams occur in this phase. Memory of dreams fades within minutes of waking if not noted down immediately.
Symbolic reading
Freud (1899) saw in dreams the "royal road to the unconscious": disguises of repressed wishes. Jung read them as messages of the individual and collective unconscious, with archetypal figures. In esoteric traditions dreams are often regarded as channels of spiritual messages. Keeping a dream journal is the simplest practice for working with them.
FAQ
Why do I forget my dreams?
Upon waking, long-term memory activity reactivates with a delay. Noting dreams immediately or changing position less abruptly helps recall.
Do dreams predict the future?
Scientifically no. They can, however, reveal worries and unconscious material that subsequently influence choices and perceptions.
Do recurring dreams have meaning?
They often indicate an unresolved inner theme. Psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioural therapy work effectively on recurring dreams.