so many ways are there to interpret dreams, indian & otherwise.

Dear Ramesh,

Yes there are many ways to interpret dreams . Why don’t you interpret it if you have one ?

i will be happy to if one has a query.

i got it..interpret 1..hidden desires to hit, due unfulfilled desires,2. lots of reading of such novels by dreamer.3.desire to act in oo7 type movies.4.never say die type attitude. Pl comment on these.

@ Ramesh

Thanks for attempts to interpret it . But selective interpretation or generalization would not serve the purpose .I dismiss the interpretation 3&4 .I haven’t read these type of novels since 90’s .Also I haven’t watched 007 type flicks in the past few years .Regarding interpretation no.1 , I can just state that nearly every individual has hidden desires but then barely few of them have dreams flying at great speed !!!I am also a writer therefore question of suppression of desires (read hidden desires) cannot be the case since I am all the time jotting down my emotions on blank sheet of paper . The interpretation no.4 ,however,aptly describes my temperament but then it needs to be interpreted in context of the dream .Well, I want U to interpret the symbols in context of the dream’s theme . However , I must thank U for spending your precious time on this interpretation .I look forward to your further interpretations .

Dear Jayashree ,

Thanks for your effort.However , I disagree with your interpretation because it vaguely deals with Freud’s hypothesis .Every symbol needs to be interpreted in the contexts in which it appears . Well, I am not challenging Freud’s view but I do fell that had flying been linked with repressed sexual desires nearly every teen would have talked about flying in the air experience . Or for that matter , since repressed desires for sexual intercourse is integral part of Indian people psyche at some point in their lives nearly everyone should have flying experiences at great speed .Is that’s the case ? No.I agree that we Indian do have repressed sexual desires more so in age marred by globalization when movies , debates on gender issues like live-in-relationships convey the impression that having intercourse is the most important phenomenon of human life . However , since we are more or less guided by morals and ethical values a dilemma of intense nature revolving around sexual preference has become order of things .So according to Freud each of us should be flying at great speed . So what’s the solution ? Get above such desires by fulfilling them ? Are you sure if one get’s above such repressed sexual desires such a flying at great speed would stop ? Anyway, I am thrilled by the experience to be flying at such a great speed . Every day I wish to have such dreams but they rarely appear .And the most funny thing is that I find myself in distant lands like China and Russia .Like to inform you that I am very convinced in the dream sequences that if I jump from the rooftop of a very high building I wouldn’t fall down with a great speed .On the contrary ,I would be flying at a great speed.It’s very clear to me in the dream that the best way to avoid the baddies is to stand on a rooftop and then jump .Interestingly , baddies are unable to do the same ,making me the winner !!!

And I know very well that no amount of sexual pleasure can meet the wonderful feeling one has when he/she is floating in the air like birds . More so when it provides you to trespass the boundaries of nation without a visa !!!

Dear Jayashree ,

Many thanks to you for your delayed response . You have virtually accepted the fact that modern psychology is unable to trace the real cause of mental illness all because of the fact that mind is too a subtle thing to come within range of theories having mathematical precision . Doesn’t this very fact makes Feud theories in the dock ? Just because a certain thing can’t be refuted does not grants it validity.No doubt they have helped in expanding the reach of modern psychology but a blind acceptance of his theories would only lead to fatal consequences.That’s what happening in the modern world.Going by the psychological theories almost all of us are victim of psychological disorders.Is that’s the case.No.In my eyes , there are certainly better ways to tackle the mysterious realms of mind instead of viewing them under the lens of psychological theories.Anyway ,it was an interesting response.

Freud would tell you that your dreams involving flying symbolise repressed desires for sexual intercourse. And at supersonic speed..ahem..

Dear Jayashree ,

Thanks for your effort.However , I disagree with your interpretation because it vaguely deals with Freud’s hypothesis .Every symbol needs to be interpreted in the contexts in which it appears . Well, I am not challenging Freud’s view but I do fell that had flying been linked with repressed sexual desires nearly every teen would have talked about flying in the air experience . Or for that matter , since repressed desires for sexual intercourse is integral part of Indian people psyche at some point in their lives nearly everyone should have flying experiences at great speed .Is that’s the case ? No.I agree that we Indian do have repressed sexual desires more so in age marred by globalization when movies , debates on gender issues like live-in-relationships convey the impression that having intercourse is the most important phenomenon of human life . However , since we are more or less guided by morals and ethical values a dilemma of intense nature revolving around sexual preference has become order of things .So according to Freud each of us should be flying at great speed . So what’s the solution ? Get above such desires by fulfilling them ? Are you sure if one get’s above such repressed sexual desires such a flying at great speed would stop ? Anyway, I am thrilled by the experience to be flying at such a great speed . Every day I wish to have such dreams but they rarely appear .And the most funny thing is that I find myself in distant lands like China and Russia .Like to inform you that I am very convinced in the dream sequences that if I jump from the rooftop of a very high building I wouldn’t fall down with a great speed .On the contrary ,I would be flying at a great speed.It’s very clear to me in the dream that the best way to avoid the baddies is to stand on a rooftop and then jump .Interestingly , baddies are unable to do the same ,making me the winner !!!

And I know very well that no amount of sexual pleasure can meet the wonderful feeling one has when he/she is floating in the air like birds . More so when it provides you to trespass the boundaries of nation without a visa !!!

Relax, breathe breathe.. that’s why I said ”Freud would tell you..”. It wasn’t my interpretation at all. As for me, when I dream of flying I know it’s because I’ve been reading Harry Potter too much!

However, I don’t believe that jotting down our thoughts means we are void of repressed desires. You might have had a wish to be a crime fighter, instead of a writer, maybe?

you don’t have to be worried about any repressed desires anyway. they occur not just because of pain, shame and guilt but also because we may not have any means of making them come true. So instead of facing the pain of a lost or unrealised dream, we tend to ignore it unconsciously.

You might want to pick up a copy of Freud’s ’The Interpretation of Dreams’. It’s a really cool book, even if you can’t believe everything written in it.

Chill!

Dear Jayashree ,

Before I come to intercept your comment , let me say something about psycho-analysis .In my opinion there are many phenomenons which are beyond the realm of psychologists despite the fact that they are leaving no stone unturned in dissecting the brain. On this very site , a debate has taken place on limitations of psychological healing (refer to article written by Jayant ).The debate clearly indicated that there are many flaws in psychological assumptions. Although Jayant failed to place my answer in real perspective , I had made it clear there (others to echoed the same line of argument there )that Psychological assumptions often leave one in the lurch .Probably , this is why many people suffering from psychological disorders fail to show any sign of progress despite being treated amid state-of-the-art facilities . Whether you accept it or not the modern psychological theories have many missing links .Today it has become some sort of a fashion to quote Freud even as there is no substantial basis to approve the validity of Freud’s hypothesis in tackling cases of myriad types . Freud was able to successful in arriving at right interpretations because he was gifted or in other words there was X factor too . For example , Cheiro has left behind number of books related with occult science but that has not produced masters like Cheiro .Even Cheiro was not able to interpret in light of his theories during his last phase of life because that X factor was now missing . In sum , it’s highly dangerous to rely on fixed line of interpretations while intercepting mysterious phenomenons of nature .

Lastly , let me tackle your comment . Although you are trying to give the impression that there is a gap between your thinking and Freud’s assumptions , you are more or less under great influence of psychological theories of modern era.I am not against it but then to rely too much upon them would always produce fallacious interpretations .Your recent assumptions from Harry Potter to crime fighter are interesting but are far away from the truth .And when I say that I jot down my thoughts it simply means that an outlet is there to channelize the emotions . It reduces the scope of suppression .

If I get a chance I will surely love to read the book recommended by you .Although , for the reason mentioned above, I know it’s not going to serve the purpose.I don’t have faith at all in mumbo jumbo of psychological intricacies .

(Sorry !!I couldn’t prevent myself from writing a short reply .It’s indeed time to chill !!)

It seems I take way too long to reply, but then I can’t help it.

If you read Jaiyant’s article about the state of the psycho field these days, especially in India, and you followed the comments you would know that I completely agree with him. Psychologists, at least in this country, have done more damage than good. And psychoanalysis has no place in a country where people unashamedly tend to discuss personal matters with almost anyone they come in contact with, or in loud voices in public places.

You are right about one thing, I am a huge fan of Freud’s. I see him as someone who had the guts to speak about a lot of things people did not want to accept. He was realistic, born way too early in time; it showed in his ideas and in his attitude. His theory may seem like a lot of crap, but it was based on intensive studies that he conducted over decades, and he included things he learnt from introspection of his own self. Like when he spoke about repressed memories, there was a time when he had memories about being sexually aboused by his father though he was not sure his memories were true. Thus, he mentions in the theory that no one can be sure recalled memories can be absolutely right.

Freud’s theory has not been completely disproved because he left everything to doubt. He was sure that the mind, such an extremely complex thing, could not be explained like a mathematical formula. Nothing, in this field, is absolutely black or white. I don’t quote Freud because it is ’fashionable’ to do so, but amongst psychologists his theory remains the best that I’ve read so far (and as all selfish humans, I shall talk about my favourite and not someone else’s). Also, the biggest criticism that Freud received from other theorists is that his theory fails to ’predict’ behaviour, although it does a great job in ’explaining’ behaviour once it has occurred.

I recommended Freud’s book to you not because I thought you would be able to interpret your dreams with the help of the book (many people have tried and failed) but because it is an interesting read and should be be read by anyone interested in dream interpretation. Freud, like you say, seemed to have a knack in hitting upon the right meaning but that doesn’t mean we would be able to just because we read his work.

You misunderstand the concept of suppression and repression. It is not the same thing, there is a humongous difference between the two. Jotting down our thoughts helps reduce suppression, not repression. Repression occurs unconsciously so we never know what we are repressing, or why, or for how long. Suppression happens consciously, when we know what we don’t like and choose not to dwell on it. Repression is not a choice.

And people suffering mental disorders don’t show a very good prognosis because because we aren’t equipped to deal with such delicate matters yet. Much of the human brain remains unknown; the effects of what goes on in there is even less comprehensible. What’s more, we live in a world where what is sane or not is decided by the majority who change their mind every alternate day. And it isn’t a very easy job to cure a mental disorder when the ’curer’ is just as liable to develop the disorder. None of us are immune to it; at the end of the day, no matter how hard we try, the disorder has the last laugh.

What else, the comment about Harry Potter is about me, me, ME, and not you! And I couldn’t stop myself, either!

Dear Jayashree ,

Many thanks to you for your delayed response . You have virtually accepted the fact that modern psychology is unable to trace the real cause of mental illness all because of the fact that mind is too a subtle thing to come within range of theories having mathematical precision . Doesn’t this very fact makes Feud theories in the dock ? Just because a certain thing can’t be refuted does not grants it validity.No doubt they have helped in expanding the reach of modern psychology but a blind acceptance of his theories would only lead to fatal consequences.That’s what happening in the modern world.Going by the psychological theories almost all of us are victim of psychological disorders.Is that’s the case.No.In my eyes , there are certainly better ways to tackle the mysterious realms of mind instead of viewing them under the lens of psychological theories.Anyway ,it was an interesting response.

Arvindji,yaar visit some good places,at least in dream.Now with new technology you can have dream according to yr need,that means you can spend a full night[not free] in your dream with any lady[or the person] of your choice.
The brain waves are electromagnetic and the Machine is based on that,look for it.

@Vijay ,

Kya Kare Vijayji ,Agar Dreams Ko Apne Hisab Se Sanchalit Karne Ki Kshmata Hoti To Kya Baat Thi.It’s not possible .And yes I am in no mood to have mechanical dreams .Let they appear disappear in a natural way.Some dream based songs for you :

1. Dekha Ek Khwaab To Yeh Silsile Hue Door Tak Nigahon Mein Hain Gul Khile Hue ...- Silsila

2. Zindagi Khwaab Hai.. Jagte Raho

3. Raat Kali Ek Khwaab Me Ayein....Buddha Mil Gaya

4. Dekho Maine Dekha Hai Ek Sapna ..Love Story

5. Khwaab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat....Teen Deviyan

Take note of this list as well...

Day dreaming? Lot many people consider day dreaming as a bad habit. My filmi friends tell me that day dreaming is an essential part of creativity.

Scriptures do not attach any importance to dreams seen during day. Dreams after midnight and before sunrise may have some significance.

I am told that in Hinduism a Goddess called ”Swapneshwari Devi” has control over our dreams.

@ Ramesh ,

Thanks for your interesting input.I know there are some people who can interpret dreams since there exists a methodology to interpret them . However , in modern times I feel that people in league with Spiritual and Mystical insights are being replaced by people having half-baked knowledge labeled as scientific findings .Since I don’t have filmi friends ,I am not aware of the method to use day dreaming for gaining creative success.More so, when I am not a day-dreamer .I am yet to read an authentic work about dreams in Hindu scriptures .Though I have sketchy knowledge about this subject as far as Hindu scripture is concerned ,I don’t find it fit and proper to bring it in application.However,I have read works of Western Mystics but ,for the reasons best known to me , I don’t want to discuss about them at this moment of time .

@Jayashree

The line ” Sorry !!I couldn’t prevent myself from writing a short reply .It’s indeed time to chill! ” should be read as ” Sorry !! I couldn’t prevent myself from writing a long reply .It’s indeed time to chill ! I regret the error .