Dreams

Dreaming constitutes an altered state of consciousness, the most common and most dramatic, elaborate hallucinations experienced by everybody every night. It is a major and integral part of many ways of growth. Brain waves show a high alpha to low beta level; there is rapid movement of the eyes and often movement of fingers, toes and genitals; blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing and adrenalin flow are typical of the waking state. Dream symbolism is a form of expression which is more complete and penetrating than that provided by intellectual concepts. It provides a sequence of messages from the individual's unconscious which by appropriate interpretation lead to personal growth. The process of dreaming is essential - an individual continually forced to waken when dreaming may become insane. Psychotherapy has paid considerable attention to dreams, whether in terms of interpretation (psychoanalysis), underlying archetypal qualities (Jungian analysis), or unfolding their content through re-enactment (psychodrama, Gestalt therapy). In theological terms, dreams may be "deceitful" when they arise from the depths of human nature anteceding rational planning and decision; but they may also be revelatory of something wrongly ignored in waking consciousness and the means of divine revelation.

Dreaming as a proportion of the time spent asleep increases when the individual has just had to learn complex tasks. It decreases with age, probably because the learning process also decreases.