Dreams: A Source of Inner TruthThe Importance of Dreams as a Daily Help in Our Lives

“Dreams touch every level of our life. They may let us glimpse the future, or give suggestions for healing, or share insights into our relationships. Above all, they can and will steer us more directly toward God.”—Harold Klemp, The Art of Spiritual Dreaming, p. 2

      Dreams have always provided the primary experiential evidence for the reality and importance of “an unseen spiritual world.” The universal experience of dreaming of the recently dead is, for example, a primary piece of evidence for “life after death.” The reports of their postmortem experiences are also a primary source of religious beliefs around the world regarding “karma,” and pervade virtually all world religious traditions.

All dreams, (even in the worst heart-pounding nightmares), come in the service of life and speak a universal language of metaphor and symbol. But usually, the only one who can say with any certainty what the deeper meanings and implications of his or her dreams are is the one who experienced the dream directly. However, without the help of others’ projections and suggestions, we dreamers can often be uniquely and selectively blind to the deeper resonances and unconscious truths given symbolic shape in our own dreams.

Gathering and sharing our dreams individually and particularly in groups, using a few simple guidelines for mutually respectful group process and the acknowledgment of our inevitable unconscious projections, can help us all become more conscious of the deep spiritual nature out of which our dreams spring, and towards which our dreams direct our attention. The simple fact that most of our dreams seem so strange and confusing upon first encounter proves that “the book of revelations is not closed.” This is an exciting realization for religious seekers and secular explorers alike.

Do you ever wake from a dream unable to quite remember where you were? Then an image may gently float in, or something sparks your memory. Suddenly you recall a scene as real as the world in front of you.

Dreams are windows into worlds beyond the ordinary. Some people have dreams that give them guidance about the smallest details of their daily life along with profound spiritual insights. Others experience unconditional and transforming love in their dreams.

We can learn how to look at our lives and our dreams from a spiritual perspective. Working with our dreams from this viewpoint can help us handle daily challenges and learn from them. The understanding we gain can bring us more patience, compassion, and love. Dreams can also give us the courage to recognize and pursue our divine purpose in life. Dreams are real and are an easy and natural way to pursue spiritual unfoldment.

Eckankar teaches that Soul exists because God Loves It, and that we are each on a personal and unique journey of self-discovery. Dreams are an important part of that spiritual journey as are keeping a dream journal and a dictionary of our own unique spiritual symbols.