In a dream, we create all the characters; the entire dream is our mental creation. We use characters from our daily lives—friends, parents, places, etc. For the purpose of this article, let’s examine dreams from the standpoint of our minds creating them to release or process unwanted emotions. Let’s add another layer: in your dream, you can switch and be any character. This is where playfulness comes into play, allowing us to see the same situation through different perspectives.
For example, imagine a dream where you’re standing in the kitchen with your parents and three childhood friends. Your dad makes coffee, but as he pours, one cup falls, leaving only three cups with coffee, which he gives to your friends but not to you and your mom.
Here are different ways to look at the dream:
- From my perspective, why I didn’t get the coffee.
- From my dad’s perspective, why I didn’t give coffee to my wife and son.
- From my mom’s perspective, why my husband is not taking care of me.
- From my friend’s perspective, why he takes care of guests before his son and mom.
These examples illustrate how we can open our minds to see situations from various angles, uncovering deeper meanings and insights. There’s no right or wrong answer—it’s the practice itself that enhances our ability to see more and fosters flexibility and creativity.
Now, here’s the cool part: we can do exactly the same thing in real-life situations. Just as in dreams, in real life, we assign meaning to the actions and words of those around us. This situation is happening to help us release unwanted emotions or patterns. If a situation triggers negative emotions like anger, upset, or feeling left out, it’s because we’re holding onto something that holds us back. As you shine light on the pattern that holds you back, just see it for what it is—it will process and get released.
Approaching life experiences and dreams from this perspective has helped me release patterns, resulting in feelings of inner freedom, more flow, and peace. It’s crucial to approach this practice with playfulness and avoid becoming attached or stuck in any one perspective. Over time, we develop the ability to fluidly dance between different perspectives.