How Can Our Dreams Prevent Us From Awakening?

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From Denny: Carl Jung, often touted as the father of modern psychiatry, specialized in dream analysis. He was also a very spiritual person with a deep faith in God. What he discovered in his studies is that often when we look outside ourselves for answers those answers elude us. Yet when we look inside ourselves the awareness comes as to what unconscious obstacles we have been throwing in the path of achieving our dreams.

Looking outside ourselves sets us up for frustration. We can reach outside to others for information to help us look within. We read posts like this and books on the subject we are trying to learn more about before we begin the long process of introspection; all that is helpful. The problem arises, and this is what I think Jung is stressing here in this quote, is that people can become co-dependent on the next speaker at a seminar, the next church class, the next DVD series all in the name of learning more. At some point it becomes "busy work" setting us up to doubt ourselves to the point of inaction.

The step two in the process after information gathering is to turn inward for introspection. This act is not about doubting or beating up yourself with negative and regretful self-talk of what you did or didn't do. It's about allowing your own spirit to reveal to your every day conscious mind what is holding you back from achieving your dreams and goals. Our spirit understands our desires and knows how to meet them.

The disconnect comes when our conscious every day mind (the one who makes lists and goes grocery shopping = the left brain) doesn't listen to our spirit revealing insight through the right brain. Basically, because of our Western culture we shut down and close the door from our right brain, essentially shutting out half of the information we need to make good decisions in life. You could say the left brain is downright bossy in it's need to dominate rather than cooperate in a partnership for the benefit of all.

Carl Jung stumbled upon a profound insight. Lucky us that he chose to write about it for the benefit of future generations. Because he listened to his own spirit within we now have a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips. All that is left is action on our part to look within.

Quote

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." Carl Jung


Carl Jung, Psychology, Social Sciences, Dream interpretation, Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic, Dream, Psychiatry, Brain, Consciousness