Looking ahead

We often think of dreams as rehashing past scenarios: We saw a scary movie–the next night we dream about it. We dream of forgetting our homework–30 years after it was due. We dream of our grandmother, though she is long gone.

Science confirms this. Research shows that dreaming helps us consolidate, organize, and dispose of memories that are no longer of use to us. But there is also evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, that the dreaming mind has an important prospective function, too.

In an article published in the New York Times, positive psychology guru Martin Seligman talks about the ways our forward-thinking brain helps us as a species (i.e. making sacrifices today for rewards tomorrow, planning how and where we’ll find our food, etc.).

The authors write:

… it is increasingly clear that the mind is mainly drawn to the future, not driven by the past. Behavior, memory and perception can’t be understood without appreciating the central role of prospection. We learn not by storing static records but by continually retouching memories and imagining future possibilities.

Making your dreams come true

What’s true of the mind awake, is often true–though in altered form–of the mind asleep. The dreaming mind is also adept at helping us move forward by scoping out future possibilities, as much as our dreams help us rehash the past.

Precognitive dreams (dreams that literally come true) are a phenomenon that, according to anecdotal evidence at least, is fairly common. Some research supports the idea that dreams help us play out possible future scenarios in a virtual-reality-like setting in our mind at night, so we can make better decisions, solve problems, and plan better for the future.

How to use your dreams to help you look ahead:

• Keep a dream journal, and review it from time to time. Take note of any pre-cognitive elements in your dream. It’s amazing what you might find when you write them down.
• Before bed, ask your dreams to help you solve a problem. Write your question down and mull it over as you fall asleep. Then keep pen and paper by your bed to write down any dreams, or ideas you wake up with. (Even if the dream doesn’t seem relevant at first, take a closer look. Remember, dreams usually communicate in symbols and metaphors.)
• You can also ask your dreams to show you possible outcomes for a decision you are trying to make. They don’t work like a Magic 8 Ball giving yes/no answers, but dreams can help by showing you different angles on a question you are mulling over, thus preparing you to choose the best path for moving forward.

© Copyright Tzivia Gover  2019 All Rights Reserved

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