The Science of Dream Interpretation

Description

The Science of Dream Interpretation presents a scientific, historic and psychological account of dream interpretation by introducing the biological and evolutionary foundations of sleep, dreams and dream interpretation. Chapters cover the theory of dream interpretation, the physiological and evolutionary reasons for sleep and dreaming, an overview of the role dreams and dream interpretation throughout history, including the cultural and religious significance of dreams, and how dreams interrupt sleep, including issues of insomnia, sleep walking, and more. The next few sections present influential dream theorists of the 20th century, including a review of their theories (Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Fritz Perls). The final section explains how dreams may be used to extract personal meanings and be utilized in psychotherapy, including case examples from actual psychotherapy sessions of the techniques used to interpret dreams. Front Cover THE SCIENCE OF DREAM INTERPRETATION THE SCIENCE OF DREAM INTERPRETATION Copyright Dedication Contents Biography Acknowledgments Author note 1 - An introduction to dream interpretation Myths of dream interpretation: A dream glossary Psychology: The field of dreams A contemporary sleep/dream theorist: Ernest Hartmann Summary References 2 - The evolutionary, biological, and cognitive foundations of sleep and dreams The evolution of sleep and dreams Biological foundations of sleep Sleep stages Stage 0 (W or wakefulness) Stage 1 (N1) Stage 2 (N2) Stage 3 and stage 4 (N3) REM (R) Major theories of why organisms sleep Cognitive consequences of sleep and dreams An empirical test of sleep insight and creativity The evolution of sleep continued Final thoughts Summary References 3 - A brief history of dream interpretation Mesopotamians Egyptians Jewish and Christian dream traditions Greek dream interpretation: the Oneirocritica Later Jewish dream interpretation: the Pitron Chalomot An uninterpreted dream is like an unread letter Buddhists Hindus Chinese texts Islamic religion Mormon religion Final thoughts Summary References 4 - Freudian dream interpretation The manifest and latent meaning of dreams Dreams as wish-fulfillment Freud's recurring dreams: Otto and Irma Freud: not all dreams are wish-fulfilling Freud's explanation for flying dreams and a physiological explanation A REM sleep explanation for reports of alien abductions and wish-fulfillment Summary References 5 - Jungian dream analysis The compensatory nature of dreams Dreams as a spontaneous self-portrayal The archetypal nature of dreams The five major archetypes of the psyche Animus and anima The persona The shadow The self-archetype and individuation Other archetypal themes Jung's explanation for flying saucers and aliens Summary References 6 - An introduction to Fritz Perls' dream interpretation techniques Gestalt therapy and dream interpretation Topdog and underdog The Gestalt prayer Here and now Dreams form a hierarchy of unfinished business Summary References 7 - Troubled sleep and dreams Insomnia Breathing-related sleep disorders Narcolepsy Nightmares Parasomnias: sleepwalking and sleep terrors Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder Restless legs syndrome Dream interpretation with people who have troubled sleep and dreams Summary References 8 - The prophetic nature of dreams History of prophetic dreams Prodromal dreams present early symptoms of future diseases Possibilities for the origins of prophetic dreams Mere coincidence Prodromal dreams Probability estimators Divine inspiration Synchronicity Summary References 9 - On the nature of recurrent dreams Freud Carl Sagan Carl Jung Fritz Perls Summary References 10 - A synthesis of dream interpretation techniques Principle 1: dreams form a hierarchy of unfinished business Dream example 1: Duke, the neglected dog Principle 2: people have a tendency to avoid and alienate the holes in their personalities despite their compensating need ... Example 2: I have headaches or I am a headache Principle 3: have the dreamer become part of the dream and write a script. I favor inanimate objects over animate objects i ... Dream example 3: take us out Principle 4: listen carefully to the language of the dreamer Principle 5: everything in the dream is a projected aspect of the dreamer. However, unfinished psychological issues can be ... Dream example 3: gone fishing Dream example 4: no dream, no time Dream example 5: don't eat here! Dream example 6: don't take me Dream example 7: move me Dream example 8: stuck in time and place Dream example 9: some dreams are wish-fulfilling Dream example 10: I can help Dream example 11: don't lean on me! Dream example 12: do not drink it! Dream example 13: I can't trust dead people Dream example 14: you are welcome here! Dream example 14: don't come here Dream example 15: don't lose me! Dream example 16: hold tight! Principle 6: listen carefully and be patient Summary References 11 - Pandemic sleep and dreams The COVID-19 pandemic, sleep, and dreams Summary References Index A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W Z Back Cover