Dream Language - Robert J Hoss, MS

Dream Work Guide

This guide provides a simple but powerful approach for understanding a dream in relation to your waking life and inner self. Refer to the book Dream Language by Robert Hoss to explore your dreams further.

Part #1 – What Does My Dream Mean?

Step #1 - Record the Dream: tell or record the dream as if you are re-experiencing it (use first person, present tense). Give the dream a short meaningful name, one that spontaneously comes to you.

Step #2 - Life: record any emotionally significant situation that is going on in your life at the time.

Step #3 - Metaphors in the Dream Story: Look for phrases in your description of the dream, or activities in the dream, that also sound like a figurative description of something going on, or a way you feel, in your life at the time. Describe the situation, who was involved and how you felt at the time. How might this life story relate to the dream story?

Step #4 - Work with the Dream Imagery - scripted Gestalt role play (“6 magic questions”):

a) Pick one or more dream images (things or characters) that you are “drawn to”, seem important, curious or emotionally significant to you. You might try picking a colored dream image so that you can work on both the image and the color.

b) Let the Image Speak - Go back into the dream and bring the image (that thing in your dream) to your mind’s eye. Take 3 deep breaths bring the image closer and on the 3rd breath imagine yourself as that thing in your dream. Now speak as the dream image would. You can try a simple approach and just state what you are and how you feel in that role in the dream (this will provide some basic associations). A more comprehensive approach is to answer the following 6 questions and record your statements. Speak in the first person present tense, using “I am” statements. If “becoming” the dream image is too difficult then imagine yourself asking the dream image these questions, and imagine what the answer might be.

1a) Who or what are you (describe yourself and how you feel): “I am ______”
1b) Alternatively - if the dream character is someone you know, then as that person:
a. describe your personality; b. in what ways are you like the dreamer;
c. in what ways you are different.
2) What is your purpose or function (what do you do)? “My purpose is to _________”
3) What do you like about being that dream element? “I like ____________”
4) What do you dislike about being that dream element? “I dislike ____________”
5) What do you fear most as that dream element? “I fear _____________”
6) What do you desire most as that dream element? "What I desire most is to _________”

Step #5 - Relate to a Life Situation: Now look at the statements now as if it is YOU speaking them about YOUR life. Do one or more of the statements sound like a way you feel or a situation in your waking life? Do the “I am” and “My purpose” statements sound like a role you are playing in waking life? Do the “I like” versus “I dislike” statements sound like a conflict going on within you? Do the “I fear” and “I desire” statements sound like waking life fears and desires, perhaps feeding the conflict? If the dream character is a person you know, do one or more of the personality statements relate to a manner in which you are approaching the waking life situation? Or alternatively, does this dream character have a personality trait that you admire or wish you had more of, in order to better handle this waking life situation? Describe the waking life situation and any new feelings or awareness’s that the dreamwork has revealed.

Step #6 - Color Work (revealing additional emotional content):

a) What color was the dream image you worked on above? If none then select any other color, color pairs or color images you feel most drawn to.

b) Pick the closest color(s) in the Color Questionnaire in the next section (below) that best matches the dream color(s)

c) Read the statements for that color and select any that trigger a “connection”, that “aha” response, with feelings or a situation in your waking life. Note that the emotional themes in the table are based on ‘common’ subliminal emotional responses to color and are therefore intended to trigger your own personal associations; they are NOT the “meaning” of the color – the true meaning remains with the dreamer.

d) Describe the waking life situation that the color statement reminds you of, and your feelings at the time. e) Does the color work add a new perspective? If you selected a pair of colors, and thus chose two sets of statements, do the two sets of statements relate to conflicting feelings surrounding your situation?

Step #7 - Reflect On What the Dream Reveals: does the work with the imagery and it’s color above reveal conflicting feelings or fears in your life that tend to leave you stuck at times? Reflect on some of the statements revealed in the dreamwork that describe your feelings, beliefs and fears about your situation. Ask yourself if some of these may be exaggerated fears or misconceptions. According to Jung it is these misconceptions that dreams try to correct – with further work (below) you can therefore help your dreams to correct these misconceptions.

Part #2 – How Can I Use It To Change My Life?

Step #8 – Dream Compensation (the ‘message’): Jung stated that dreams try to correct for misconceived beliefs and fears that leave us stuck. He indicated that some dreams present information (the ‘message’ that some call it) to compensate for those misconceptions. The point of compensation in a dream is usually found by exploring the presence of: Surprise; Guidance and/or Positive Endings. In order to explore whether your dream contains a compensating message, review the dream from the most emotional part to the end: a) Did the dream contain a Surprise event or surprise imagery combination? b) did you receive direct guidance (verbal, words or otherwise) from some dream character or implied guidance in the dream setting a new direction? c) Did the dream end positively and if so what happened to bring about that positive ending? Such ‘messages’ are rarely ever literal, they are presented as metaphors, parables, analogies and associations just like every other event and image in the dream – so look for actions that might be analogous to a solution to the situation the dream is dealing with. Once you suspect a ‘compensating message’ go to Step #10. If none is obvious go to Step #9.

Step # 9 – Finish the Dream (new metaphor): If the dream did not contain an obvious ‘compensating message’ or it either did not conclude or did not conclude positively then if you can ‘finish the dream’ and if done correctly, create that new metaphor that may be useful in suggesting a waking life resolution to your situation. To ‘finish the dream’ you need to relax your thinking mind, and let your subconscious do the work. Close your eyes and go back into the dream and briefly review it until the end. Hold yourself at the end of the dream and think about how you got there, what you were trying to achieve in the dream if anything, and how you feel in the situation at the end of the dream. Now spontaneously without thinking about it, imagine a new ending (no matter how strange) that makes the dream work out in a positive fashion for everyone involved.

Step #10 – Potential Resolution: How might either the Dream ‘Message” (from Step # 8) or the New Dream Ending (from Step #9) be a metaphor (analogy) for a solution to your waking life situation? The new ending is still a dream segment so sometimes you will have to explore your associations with some of the unclear imagery (try part or all of step #4 if need be). Describe the new solution that you think the dream or new ending has provided.

Step #11 – Check it Out then Define Next Steps: Ask yourself if this new solution is healthy, practical and allows you to move ahead – OR – does it leave you stuck again? If it is healthy and practical, then imagine when you might have an opportunity to put it into practice, and define what specific next steps can you take to bring it about. Often defining just one next step is adequate. This is a necessary step in actualizing the solution. Otherwise it will fade away.

Step #12 – “Token” Reminder Image: it is helpful to have something to remind you of your new solution and next steps when you find yourself in the situation again and at risk of slipping back. Find an image in either the compensating part of the dream or the new or positive dream ending and use that image as a reminder image. Bring the reminder image to mind to help keep the solution in mind, if you find yourself back in the situation.

1) I feel intense, vital or animated. 2) I feel transformed. 3) I feel assertive, forceful. 4) I feel creative. 5) I want to live life to its fullest. 6) I want to win, succeed, achieve. 7) I feel sexy or have strong sexual urges. 8) I have a driving desire. 9) I need something to make me feel alive again. 10) I need to be more assertive and forceful. 11) I need to get out and enjoy myself.

12) If red appears as blood or inflammation – it may relate to an illness or injury

1) I want to expand my interests and develop new activities. 2) I want a wider sphere of influence. 3) I feel friendly and welcoming. 4) I want more contact with others. 5) I feel enthusiastic, outgoing and adventurous. 6) I am driven by desires and hopes toward the new, undiscovered and satisfying. 7) I feel driven but need to overcome my doubts or fear of failure. 8) I must avoid spreading myself too thin.

1) I feel a sense of joy and optimism. 2) I feel alert. 3) I am seeking a solution that will open up new and better possibilities and allow my hopes to be fulfilled. 4) I feel the new direction I am taking will bring happiness in my future. 5) I am hopeful. 6) I need to find a way out of this circumstance or relationship. 7) I need a change. 8) I may be compensating for something. 9) I am acting compulsively.

1) I need to establish myself, my self-esteem, my independence. 2) I want recognition. 3) I need to increase the certainty of my own value and status, through acknowledgment by others of my achievements or my possessions. 4) Hard work and drive will gain me recognition and self esteem. 5) My opinion must prevail. 6) I must hold on to this view in order to maintain my self-esteem. 7) I want what I am due. 8) I must maintain control of the events. 9) Things must not change. 10) Detail and logic are important here. 11) I need to increase my sense of security. 12) I need more money to feel secure. 13) I want to withdraw and retreat into my own center. 14) I need healing or better health.

1) I feel tranquil, peaceful and content. 2) I feel a sense of harmony. 3) I feel a meditative awareness or unity. 4) I feel a sense of belonging. 5) I need rest, peace or a chance to recuperate. 6) I need a relationship free from contention in which I can trust and be trusted. 7) I need a peaceful state of harmony offering contentment and a sense of belonging.

1) I like to win others over with my charm. 2) I feel an identification, an almost "mystic" union. 3) I have a deep intuitive understanding of the situation. 4) I feel a sense of intimacy. 5) The feeling is erotic. 6) I seek a magical state where wishes are fulfilled. 7) I yearn for a "magical" relationship of romance and tenderness. 8) I seek to identify with something or someone. 9) I need intimacy. 10) I engage in fantasy in order to compensate for my feelings of insecurity.

1) I seek a secure state where I can be physically comfortable and relax or recover. 2) I am uneasy and insecure in the existing situation. 3) I need a more affectionate environment. 4) I need a situation imposing less physical strain. 5) I want to satisfy the physical senses (food, luxury, sex).

6) If it is a Natural or wood brown: a) I am concerned about matters of family, home, or my "roots". b) I am concerned with a son or daughter. c) I am searching for my true self or natural state of being.

7) If Dirty Brown: it may relate to a physical problem or illness.

1) I want to shield myself from those feelings. 2) I feel emotionally distant, only an observer. 3) It is as if I am standing aside, watching myself mechanically go through the motions. 4) I want to remain uncommitted, non-involved, shielded or separated from the situation. 5) I do not want to make a decision that will require my emotional involvement. 6) I have put up with too much and wish to avoid any further emotional stimulation. 7) I am trying to escape an anxious situation. 8) I am compensating for something.

The unconscious realm. Moving into darkness = suppression, “death of the ego” (first stage of transformation). Beautiful shiny black = a positive view of the unconscious from which a new self emerges. Try: 1) I am anxious and don't know why. 2) I am fearful of or intimidated by the situation. 3) I have been dealt an unacceptable blow. 4) Nothing is as it should be. 5) I refuse to allow it/them to influence my point of view. 6) I can’t accept the situation and don’t wish to be convinced otherwise. 7) I feel the need for extreme action, perhaps in revolt against or to compensate for the situation.

1) This is a new experience. 2) I’m becoming aware of new feelings. 3) I’m experiencing a new beginning, a reawakening. 4) I have a new outlook, a new awareness. 5) I feel innocent or open and accepting. 6) I feel a sense of purity.7) I feel unprepared. 8) I feel alone, isolated. 9) It feels cold or sterile.

Pastels: Note that white adds a newness, an innocence and a fantasy nature, as well as a subdued coolness, calming, pacification or transformation of the emotion associated with a base hue.

Ex: pink (white + red) might relate to the romantic side passion; or a cooling or pacification of “red” emotion into nurturing, compassion and the discouraging of aggression.

B&W

BLACK & WHITE Patterns - forces of unification, an integration of conscious (white) and unconscious (black) from which a greater self emerges; a unity of opposites; an internal change

[ref. C. Jung]