Meaning of death in dreams
Dreams have always possessed a certain fascination to man as they provide us with the key to our subconscious.Of all the subjects of dreams, death remains one of the most curious and at times frightening ones.This can be quite disturbing when we dream about deaths because it brings many emotions and interpretations.Supported by relevant statistics and a range of different points of view, this article examines the various meanings associated with death in dreams.
Psychological perspective
Psychologically speaking, dreaming about dying may not be considered as something horrible.
Dreaming is a way that our unconscious minds communicate to our conscious minds – Carl Jung(A Swiss psychiatrist).
Death in dream symbolizes an end of one part of life and beginning of another part.Personal transformation could be represented by it while letting go off old habits or finishing important chapter in life.American Psychological Association conducted a research which indicates that 55% have dreamed about death once throughout their lives.
Research reveals that such kind of dreams are more common during major shifts in life-like starting a new job, breaking up a relationship or moving to another town.
Cultural and Spiritual Perspectives
It is also important to note that cultural and spiritual beliefs have a great impact on the interpretation of dreams about death.Different cultures regard death as a transition rather than an end.
For instance, in Hinduism, dreaming of death might be synonymous with rebirth or starting over again.Similarly, some native American traditions dreams’death were seen as the advice and warnings given by ancestors.
According to Pew Research Center, 60% of religious or spiritual people believe that their dreams are more significant than they seem thus reveal a lot concerning their lives.
(source: Pew Research Center).
Scientific Perspective
When looking at it from a scientific point, there are stress-related dreams about dying.The National Sleep Foundation informed us that higher levels of stress can lead one into having more vivid and emotionally charged dreams, this includes those involving death.These nightmares are used by some individuals as escapes through which they could handle their fears and worries without any harm.
(source: National Sleep Foundation).
Personal Experiences and Anecdotes
Different experiences on these types of dreams differ greatly depending on personal experiences.For some people these dreams bring peace making them feel complete or comprehend.
For others, they can cause a lot of anxiety and stress.
According to the Journal of Dream Research, in a qualitative research published about dreams of dying frequently show that people who dream about death on a regular basis usually have higher levels of stress and emotional disturbance
(source: Journal Journal of Dream Research).
Conclusion
From a psychological, cultural, spiritual and scientific perspective, dreams about death hold many meanings.Although they can cause anxiety, most times they reflect our innermost thoughts and true feelings thus unveiling rich insights into our subliminal minds.By knowing the meaning behind these dreams we may move through our current situation with better focus and understanding.
For additional readings or specific numbers look at
1.American Psychological Association
2.Pew Research Center
3.National Sleep Foundation
4.Journal of Dream Research
The dissection of various interpretations and causes beneath the surface in death related dreams should help us to know ourselves better as well as the world around us.
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