True dream
The true dream describes a type of dream , the content of which deals with real events, and which is unencrypted in the context of psychoanalytic terminology and therefore does not require a “ dream interpretation ”. It should be characterized by an intense experience and be able to appear as a retrospective or forward-looking true dream. True dreams are the subject of esoteric and parapsychological discussion.
distribution
Sociological studies show that one in three people can report true dreams. Socio-demographic characteristics such as education and religious affiliation of the people do not play a role. Only age has a significant effect, with younger people being more open to these phenomena. Such field investigations, however, cannot make an objective distinction between true dreams and “ordinary” dreams.
Demarcation
First of all, a dream is called a true dream if it tells the dreaming something about their concrete life situation. It is also characterized by the impression of a real experience that is otherwise only experienced in the waking state. The dreamer observes an event, possibly also from the perspective of another person or a bird's eye view , which in brief and haunting images represents an urgent problem or a solution. The actual meaning and, in particular, the demarcation from “ordinary” dreams with symbolic content can only be recognized by the person concerned - possibly with the help of an experienced companion.
A qualitative , scientific investigation is - apart from sociological studies - very problematic, since an experimental situation can hardly be established. Clinical research is therefore ruled out; One can only speculate about neurological causes and interactions. It has not been proven that physiologically measurable changes would set the true dream apart from the "ordinary" dream.
The quantitative verification of the contents of the true dream, such as the verifiable, actual occurrence of a predicted event, should differ significantly from a random distribution . However, this approach is problematic because
- the database, i.e. the number of verifiable events, is low
- the occurrence of an event can also happen gradually,
- the time horizon is often not fixed and
- the influences of a conscious induction would have to be excluded.
meaning
CG Jung described events that occur in a close temporal and contextual context, but not causally affect one another, as synchronicity . The apparently coincidental connection is therefore only revealed to the individual through a very personal “meaningful connection”. A large part of science rejects the acausal and holistic approach.
Retrospective true dream
A retrospective, retrospective true dream allows past events to be experienced in dreams. A depth psychological explanation for this is that the dreaming in sleep processes unclear or persecuting topics or questions from the past in a compensatory manner and thereby gains new insights and answers, which turn out to be applicable in a subsequent check in the waking state.
Prospective true dream
A prospective, forward-looking true dream allows future events to be experienced in dreams. The dreaming should be able to access "unconscious knowledge" in sleep and extrapolate an accurate prediction from it.
On the other hand, the principle of self-fulfilling prophecy can also be used to explain prospective true dreams.
Telepathic true dream
A so-called " telepathic true dream" is supposed to show current but locally distant events, such as an accident of a relative, as a dream experience.
Cultural aspects
The true dream had a certain social meaning in different cultures like in ancient Egypt. The tradition of Islam knows the prophetic dream as ruya sahdiqa (literally: true face ). The apocalyptic visions of the prophet Daniel in the book of the same name in the Old Testament are often referred to as true dreams.
literature
- Eberhard Bauer, Michael Schetsche (Ed.): Everyday miracles. Experiences with the supernatural. Scientific evidence. Würzburg: ERGON Verlag 2003, ISBN 3-89913-311-0
- Margit Haupt: The Book of Dreams: What your dreams want to tell you. Scherz, Bern 2003, ISBN 3-502-12301-2
- David Ryback, Letitia Sweitzer: True Dreams. Your transforming and supernatural power. Schirner Verlag, Darmstadt 2005. ISBN 3-89767-462-9