Interesting Research Facts on Dream Interpretation (or some other creative title)
General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: To describe to my audience three interesting research-based facts about how to interpret dreams.
I. Introduction
A. Attention Setter: According to the famous Dr. Sigmund Freud (Verbal Citation #1), and I quote: “The interpretation of dreams is the royal road to knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind (Sigmund Freud).” What comes to mind when you think about your dreams? Have you ever been interested in what your dreams really mean?
B. Credibility : There have been multiple instances in my life when I have awakened either in the middle of the night or the next morning trying to recollect and interpret my dreams. I have engaged in academic research, seeking to find the meaning behind my dreams, and today I will share with you what I have learned from my readings.
C. Statement of Relevance: Dreams happen every night whether we remember the dreams or not. One-third of your life is spent sleeping, and in an average lifetime you would have spent six years of dreaming, according to dream moods.com (Verbal Citation #2). If you look at historical religious writings, such as the Torah, Koran, and Holy Bible, there are stories in the Scriptures about dreams and individuals like Joseph who interpreted dreams for the kings and pharaohs.
D. Preview of Points: Like our fingerprints, dreams are unique and there is no person who can have your background, your emotions, or your experiences. Dreams can only be connected to your own personal “reality.” Today, I am here to assist you in discovering ways to make sense of your dreams. First, I will discuss the history of dreams, second, I will provide intriguing facts about dreams, and third, I would like to cover the most common dreams people have and their general meanings, according to experts in the literature. In understanding your dreams, you will have a clearer view on your personal relationships, an uncensored view of your real feelings and a better perspective on life issues, according to dream moods.com (Verbal citation #2).
II. Body:
A. History behind dreams
1. People have recorded dreams for centuries; this is not a new phenomenon. Dream interpretations date back to 3000-4000 B.C. where they were documented on clay tablets. The earliest recorded dreams were acquired from materials dating back approximately 5000 years, in Mesopotamia, again, according to dream moods.com (Verbal citation #2)
2. Throughout history dreams have been associated with sacred revelation and prophecy. Originally, in Ancient times, dreams were thought to be a part of the supernatural world. Many people who lived in those times believed dreams where messages from gods and the dead as warning devices for disaster or good fortune.
3. During Hellenistic period, people of that period believed that sick people would be sent cures for their illnesses through dreams. Some people with significant dreams were considered special people believed to be have been blessed.
4. During the Middle Ages, dreams were seen as evil and that the images were sinful temptations from the devil. Most of the dream interpretations were related to religion.
5. Looking back shows that people have always had an inclination to interpret dreams. However, despite modern science, dreams continue to remain mysterious and the causes of why we have dreams in the first place are still unknown.
B. Facts about Dreams
1. Fact #1- You forget ninety percent of your dreams. Within five minutes of waking up, half of your dream is forgotten and within ten minutes, about 90 percent is forgotten. Sometimes you do not remember any of what happened in your dreams at all, but know that you had one
2. Fact #2- Every human dreams and has sexual reactions to their dreams. Although men and woman tend to have different dreams, we all have a sexual reaction to our dreams even if the dream is not sexual in nature.
3. Fact #3- Dreams prevent psychosis. You dream many times a night, even if you do not remember. If your body does not fall into REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is the stage of sleep you must be in order to dream, you will be subject to hallucinations, irritability, and signs of psychosis within 3 hours of waking.
4. Fact #4- In our dreams, we only see faces that we already know. We will dream about people who play out parts, but our mind did not make up those faces. Those faces are real people whom we have seen at some time in our life that we may not have noticed or remembered.
5. Fact #5- Dreams are symbolic. Your dreams are never about the actual subject that they are about when they appear in your dreams. Dreams are not straight forward; instead, dreams are deeply symbolic in language. Your unconscious mind tries to compare the dream to something else that is similar.
6. Fact #6- External stimuli invade our dreams. A sound from reality is heard in our dream and incorporated in some way, according to a website that discussed the ten amazing facts about dreams (Verbal Citation #3) http://listverse.com/2007/11/14/top-10-amazing-facts-about-dreams/)
C. Seven of the most common dreams people have and their meanings
1. First, Lost or Trapped: These dreams are usually of a person lost and trying to find your way out of a maze type area and are unable to find the exit. In dreams with you being trapped, usually involving being buried alive or caught in a sticky web you cannot get free. Dreams like these mean you are having conflict in deciding how to react to a situation in real life and unable to make the right choice.
2. Second, Missed Transportation: In these types of dreams you are running to catch a bus, train, plane, or any other type of public transportation and missed, but only by a fraction of a minute. These dreams usually mean that you feel that you missed out on an important opportunity in real life.
3. Third, Sick or Dying: In these dreams, either you or one of your loved ones is injured, sick or dying. These dreams usually mean that you have a fear of losing that person. Or, could be a warning of a physical risk of you or your loved one.
4. Fourth, Being Chased: These dreams are usually of you being chased by a monster or a person that is frightening. These dreams mean someone is making you feel threatened in your life.
5. Fifth, Bad or Missing Teeth: These dreams involve you discovering missing or extremely decayed teeth in your own mouth, or you see your teeth falling out. These dreams usually mean that you are afraid of feeling unattractive or are afraid of being embarrassed in your real life.
6. Sixth, Nudity: These types of dreams are when you are in a state of undressed, partial undressed or inappropriate dress in front of a large group of people. These dreams mean you feel embarrassed and ashamed in your real life. These dreams mean you are feeling exposed, awkward or vulnerable with a situation in your life.
7. Seventh, Falling: The most common dream among people. In these dreams you falling through the air and frightened. Typically a person having this dream is feeling insecure or having a lack of support in his/her waking life. These dreams occur most often when you are overwhelmed and ready to give up on a situation..
