Hi all,
Wonder if someone can help me with the meaning of the nightmarish dream I had last night. It happened in the first 30 minutes after going to sleep as the clock only said 11.30 when I was woken!!
It started with me sitting on our sofa facing our TV, and out of the corner of my eye I saw my husband (or thought I saw him) going into our kitchen. Soon afterwards I was aware that there was someone behind me and they grabbed me around my face from behind me. Presuming it was my husband larking about I just tried to grapple free, but as I struggled the hands became tighter around my mouth and nose, to the point that I couldn't breathe.
Now the weird thing is that although I was asleep in bed in reality, I was aware of the feeling and was trying to wake myself up (or so I thought) because I simply could not breathe. In the end it was my husband who actually woke me up because I had started screaming, I think it really frightened him. Once awake I was still really scared and was very cautious about looking around the bedroom.
I quite often get dreams where I am trying to wake myself up because I don't like the dream, and often it takes several attempts for me to break out of the dream state. I don't recall actually screaming before though!!
Can anyone shed some light please?
Crabapple
RE: Waking up screaming!!
Hi Crabapple.
This is lucid dreaming...where you are consciously awarethat you are within a dream. The dream becomes a 'reality' to you andso you try to awaken yourself.
However, you are 'awake' andbecause ofthis it is possible to change the nature of your dreams, whilst you are still within them.
Obviously not being able to breathe is downright scary and highly distressing...it is a survival instinct after all...but this is your dream and you have the ability to bring about the outcome you want, and not what someone else, within yourself,wants.
The man I feel represents 'the dark man,' or the negative force within everyone of us, who wants to destroy our consciousness, knowingand awareness. He is 'bluebeard' and he is a predator..preying on our fears and keeping us naive to our own power.
He wants to'kill' that part of us, but he can be banished.
Your lucidity has activated him, but you are awake now and canovercome him Crabapple.
Happy dreaming, and outcomes.
RE: Waking up screaming!!
Thanks for that, Sarah.
It has started me thinking!! Maybe you could give me further feedback.
In the last 4-5 years I have had these lucid dreams, (didn't know that was what they were, just knew I was dreaming and trying to wake myself) sometimes I would think I had woken myself and still hadn't!! Previously they have always been associated with a drowning or 'whirling vortex' sensation, pulling me down (I have this genuine fear of drowning/ water on the face).
It was more this 'bluebeard' that I am curious about - I am becoming more and more aware ofmy own spirituality, something that my husband has always believed I should explore. He feels that Ihave particular energies that I should encourage. Would this 'man' be representing my reluctance, particularly as I had seen my husband (in the dream) disappearing out the door! I would love toopen myself up more spiritually but something keeps stopping me.
Do you think this sounds daft or am I on the right track here!!
Crabapple
RE: Waking up screaming!!
Hi crabapple.
Iwould say you are right on track......and you have the support of your husband too, which is wonderful.
The spiritual path is not a straightforward one, and others around us can become alarmed and scared as the changes manifest.
Do be aware of this as you begin to explore your spirituality because it will change you.
Bluebeard the predator is a part of the psyche, and he will need to be met and harnessed.
The predator aways comes across as a charming and seductive person, whatever sex in theouter life; but in the inner world it usuallycomes in the form of a man.
This part of the psyche, and going on the spiritual path is going into the psyche, wants to suppress intuition and knowing....so the ego can carry on 'being in control.' The ego is necessary, it is our sense of 'I,' but it is usually ruled by fear. ie. fear of lack, loss, greed, anger, jealousy, control etc.
As we become knowing, or more aware of these aspects of ourselves, we need to accept and assimilate those aspects to make ourselves more complete. The predator does not want us to be complete as he rules through our fears; and to start listening, and acting, upon our intuition, relegates him to his rightful place within the psyche.
I feel that your reluctance could be this force, because you are scared, deep down, of what could happen if you embrace the spiritual path. The fear of possibly losing those we love and think we need, can stop us exploring ourselves, because as we become more knowing,what may have been suppressed can no longer be denied and will need to be looked at.
In your dream you saw your husband disappearing out the door.....so this is a fear within you, and this could be what is stopping you.
The predator is desperate to stop 'knowing' or intuition as he knows that you will see right through him. We have all been in situations or with people who seem charming and open, but that little voice within nags, or an alarm bell goes off; however, we tend to ignore it thinking we are being silly.
Spiritual development is about trusting our intuition and acting on it, now matter how strange it seems.
It is not a prophetic energy...it will not keep us safe within our boundaries, or guarantee our dream job, or tons of money...that is ego-based; but it will lead us down a road that twists and turns and seems to be leading us into nowhere...but that is the key...nowhere is now here...and that is what intuition is about, keeping in the moment and following our guidance, which will lead us right out of our comfort zone...big time, so we can face and embrace our fears.
A very good book I always recommend is, 'Women Who Run With The Wolves' by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.
I feel it is very appropriate for men as well.
The story of Bluebeard is in this book.
Good luck Crabapple and don't hesitate to contact me if you wish to.
Blessings.