In other cultures and in earlier times even in western culture, dreams have been taken seriously. The Bible tells us much about pharaoh's dreams, Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, Joseph's dreams and so on. Yet more recently in the West we have become reluctant to even mention our dreams to others, even though when we do mention them we discover that we often have similar dreams — about not studying for a college test, about being naked in public, about flying, etc.
Robb argues that our dreams can tell us something, but that also we can tell our dreams something. As for the latter, she writes about techniques that some people use to guide the direction of their dreams and to make nightmares less common or less frightening. Other techniques she describes help some people remember their dreams or to dream more lucid dreams.
Dreams offer "a window into our psyches," she writes. They can tell us what's really bothering us, and in some cases they can even provide solutions. There are many examples of individuals solving problems because of inspiration gained in a dream. Such people as Stephen King and Salvador Dali have used dreams as inspiration for some of their creations.
A sitcom husband is often chastised by his wife for something he did in her dream. Robb tells us this sort of thing can actually happen when dreams are confused with reality.
Robb suggests keeping a dream journal and sharing dreams regularly with like-minded individuals. If our minds are going to provide us with so much nighttime entertainment, why not remember it, share it and discuss it — just like one might do with a good book or movie?
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