Friday, September 11, 2009

I had a dream with my Grandma in it

Quick Question: I had a dream w/my grandma in it & she was worried about something I had told her. Does she not want me to do it or is it my own doubts? It was about something I have felt guilty about doing but haven't done yet.

Quick Question Lady Answers: First of all, apologies for getting back to you so late. I have been on vacation (yep, even counselors need to unplug, have a change in scenery, etc). I hope to bring more perspective and freshness to all the things on my plate.

Dreams are really interesting to consider, and there are so many ways to interpret them. The style I like is to ask you a series of questions, rather than for me to peer into your dream and try to map it to a list of symbols. I don't know you like you know yourself, and so you are the key to the interpretation of your own dream.

Who is your grandmother to you, besides being your grandmother? Is she a lot like you? Do you admire her? Do you wish to be like her? Is there a part of her in the dream that is also you (Jungian theory on dreams seems to suggest that we are every character in the dream).

Where is the guilt coming from? Have you talked over whatever this action is, objectively, with someone you trust? Is the action worthy of guilt? If so, what do you want to do about it?

What does it mean to have your grandmother know about either your actions or your thoughts? She is another set of eyes, but does it have a deeper meaning (i.e. shame, self-doubt, lack or validation, fear, etc)?

Lastly, as the Dreamer, what does the dream seem to be saying to you? There may be the obvious implications. Are there some less obvious ones that have come out since you had the dream?

As a follow up, you may feel that there was more to the dream you'd like to explore. Before sleeping, try giving yourself permission to go back to the dream and explore what else might be there. It is possible to finish the dream or encourage it play out a bit further.

Good luck!

Quick Question Consult Lady