Most people ignore their dreams because most of the time, these seem to be meaningless and nonsensical.

Dreams are often difficult to understand since they come not in a logical or rational manner, but in symbols or metaphors. They are products of our subconscious mind, which does not obey the usual norms of logic.

Some dreams are so inscrutable, complicated or mysterious that no amount of logical or rational analysis can decipher their meaning. And that’s why they are ignored.

But why do people dream? What is its purpose? There are many reasons given by psychologists and dream specialists on why dreams happen. Among them are to warn us of danger, to remind us to act on a problem, to ease emotional stress or trauma, to find a missing personal object, to receive a message from dead relatives, and so on.

But why are dreams often so difficult to understand? Precisely because they are products of the subconscious mind, which does not think in a logical manner. Dreams have been defined as the “language of the subconscious mind.”

Ancient cultures always recognized the importance of dreams, and developed ways of interpreting their meaning. The Christian Bible is full of stories of how dreams are given so much importance, even by kings and the nobility. Dream interpreters are regarded highly in such societies. Today, they are unfortunately regarded as quacks.

Two of the modern pioneers in the scientific study of dreams are Dr. Stanley Krippner and Montague Ullman. In the ’70s, they conducted an extensive and systematic study of dreams at the Maimonides Dream Laboratory in the Maimonides General Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

Some of their interesting findings: Everybody dreams. Those who say they do not dream at all just do not remember their dreams. The dreaming state is accompanied by rapid-eye movement (REM). A person dreams an average of 30 dreams an evening. Persons who are interrupted or awakened repeatedly while dreaming suffer from some personality disturbances, irritability and disorientation, just like those who are deprived of sleep.

Not useless

It is not true that dreams are useless and we need not pay much attention to them, because dreams can be a tool for problem solving and new discoveries.

It is not generally known, but a few scientific breakthroughs or inventions and some of the greatest literary masterpieces were derived from dreams.

For example, the discovery of the chemical molecular formula for benzene was a direct result of chemist August Kekulé’s dream of molecules dancing and then turning into a snake biting its tail. His correct interpretation of his dream paved the way for the development of organic chemistry.

Elias Howe, who invented the first modern sewing machine, got the idea of putting a hole at the head of a sewing needle from a dream he had of being captured by cannibals, and while being boiled in a cauldron, he saw the natives dancing around him and holding spears with holes on top. That gave him the idea.

We can instruct our subconscious mind to solve problems. For instance, a female student of mine asked herself to have a dream to find a missing earring. And she dreamt where it was.

My second son, Jolan Alexander, while still in college, asked his subconscious mind to show him where to find the criminal who swindled him in a P100,000 deal. His dream showed him exactly where the swindler would be the next day at noon. He went to the parking lot of a well-known fastfood chain accompanied by the police, who arrested the culprit.

To understand and remember our dreams, it is best to keep a dream journal. This is just any notebook where you can write down your dreams on a regular basis. By doing this, you will be able to analyze your dreams and keep track of what happens in your life that may be related to your dream.

One thing more—no dream is unimportant. Each dream, no matter how ridiculous or nonsensical, is a message from your subconscious mind. So make an effort to analyze and understand your dreams. It may someday even save your, or somebody else’s, life.

The next Soulmates Karma and Reincarnation seminar is on Oct. 15 from 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Rm. 308, Prince Plaza 1 Condominium, Legaspi St., Makati City. Call 8107245.