SimplyNumbers

Working with new beginnings (part 1)

As January is the start of a new year, it's an excellent time for new beginnings. What project have you imagined starting, but have held off for one reason or another? Numerologically, now is the time to initiate your projects, especially as they relate to the needs of your heart.

If you're reading this in January, you may also feel compelled to review your life before moving on, or make major life changes. You may feel introspective in light of any intentions or resolutions that you've made. Perhaps, you simply have a few changes that you would like to integrate into your life now.

Reviewing your life is a powerful and healing process to undertake and you may wish to look to your Core Numbers to aid you in this process. They can help you to see where you've been fully listening to your heart, and where you might want to bring focus and energy to. Perhaps, you're not letting the world see where you shine? Perhaps, you can help others to shine! Find a way to work with the areas of your life that you may have neglected in the past, and you can begin to heal your heart. Your life will then begin to unfold in new and exciting ways.

It can also be powerful to work with your dreams, especially when you are pondering changes in your life. 2012 is a great time to tap into your dreams, as the Numerological theme for the year involves understanding the mystery of our lives. Working with dreams really can help you to learn about, and work with, the symbolism and imagery bubbling up from deep within your own heart and psyche.

However, if you haven’t worked with dreams before then the Tarot is a simple, fun and powerful tool to begin working with symbols and images. Utilizing the card that is related to any of your Core Numbers, especially your Life Path, can help you to learn more about your own personal story. The symbolism on each card is stirring, unique and powerful. In the next post, I'll post the cards and the Life Path they correlate to.

As you work with your Life Path Tarot card, the images on the card may reflect ideas you have about changes that you'd like to make, or even parts of dreams that you've been having. Spend enough with the card to learn how it fits into your life. Have fun with it. Draw it. Dance it. Act it out. Do whatever you need to do to express how the card makes you feel. See where the energy, and theme, of the card is in your life.

Find ways to work with what you've learned by working with your Tarot card, Life Path and other numbers to help guide you in any new beginnings that you've been planning. Don't be afraid to ask for help, or even lend a hand to others who are starting their own new beginnings.

Quote ~ C.G. Jung

No amount of skepticism and criticism has yet enabled me to regard dreams as negligible occurrences. Often enough they appear senseless, but it is obviously we who lack the sense and ingenuity to read the enigmatic message from the nocturnal realm of the psyche.

Seeing that at least half our psychic existence is passed in that realm, and that consciousness acts upon our nightly life just as much as the unconscious overshadows our daily life, it would seem all the more incumbent on medical psychology to sharpen its senses by a systematic study of dreams.

Nobody doubts the importance of conscious experience; why then should we doubt the significance of unconscious happenings? They also are part of our life, and sometimes more truly a part of it for weal or woe than any happenings of the day.

Understanding numbers in dreams

I'm often asked about numbers in dreams. I believe that your numbers have importance for you, and a book, psychic or Numerologist can really only give you guidance. Of course, that guidance can be extremely helpful, but these resources may only point you in a direction. They won't help you reach your goals, without some of the work being taken on by you. Truly understanding the meaning of your numbers is up to you. Curiousity and imagination are required.

Everyone is curious! As you think about your numbers, let your mind wander! Work with any connections, memories and emotions that come up as you think about the numbers that have appeared in your dream. Over time, once you learn to understand what certain dream symbols mean for you, working with your dreams can become exhilerating.

Of course, discovering the meaning of each number and symbol within a dream may seem a little difficult at first. It can make things easier if you break the dream down into manageable parts, and then look at the basic elements within those parts.

The most basic dream symbols are often the four elements: air, earth, water, and fire, which I explain in the dream tool post. Often we may have dreams about escaping a burning building, drowning, swimming, flying, falling, or being in an earthquake. Looking at the "elements" within your dream can help you to develop a basic understanding of the message that the dream has for you. Use the tool to get yourself started, but try to make your own connections and build up your very own dream dictionary.

Looking at the elements within a dream from a numerological perspective can be illuminating.  Again, you can work with the dream tool mentioned above to learn more about the numbers, elements and symbols within your dream. From a numerological perspective the fire in the dream above can relate to the numbers 3 and 9 (as these numbers are correlated to the fire element). These numbers deal with joy, passion, excitement, daring, romance and spirituality. You may want to ask yourself where in your life these qualities are missing or readily available. Perhaps you are afraid of going deeper into a relationship or your unconscious is encouraging you to take some kind of risk.

I would recommend taking the process a step further and looking at the appropriate tools that you are comfortable with, such as Tarot, Runes, or I Ching. By bringing these other tools into your work, you can make the process of understanding your dreams fun, exciting and easier.

 

Is there anything you would you regret not having tried?

As you probably already know, your Life Path represents those things that you're passionate about within your life. Your Life Path represents your inner drive and passion. It’s the “What do I want to do with my life” impulse that is buried deeply within your heart and soul. It’s a question that must be answered, but you can only fully answer it by following your heart.

You can really think of your Life Path as an essential blueprint or treasure map for where you can have passionate life experiences. Your Life Path can be a powerful ally, that has the potential to guide you toward learning and working with the skills, qualities and talents that will be beneficial for you and can come easily and naturally to you.

Generally, you will feel naturally drawn to experiences and situations in which you can develop and express your particular talents and abilities. As you will feel drawn to these activities, it's best to find ways to encourage yourself to move toward these dreams and aspirations. All of us have our own dreams, but unfortunately there are times when we let life get in the way, and we're pulled in other directions.

Over time, we can let our dreams fade and they become memories of dreams that we used to believe in. Then we build up stress and regret about not pursuing these dreams. Instead of living with the regret, why not embrace your dreams and try to find a way to pursue them? You might not become an expert in your field, but you can still satisfy your inner calling by pursuing the activities that you're drawn to. Following a dream may not have an immediate and observable benefit, but may help you to open new doors and possibilities.

Have you seen the 2007 movie the "Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? The movie is about two men who are dieing and have a list of things they want to accomplish before they pass away. The two men make a pact to do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die. As you watch the two men go through challenges and adventures, something is stirred in your soul. You as the viewer are somehow inspired to fulfill the challenges on your own list.

Now, if you were to create your own bucket list, what would be on it? What activities would you have regrets about, if you never pursued them during your lifetime? What things would you have liked try?

Find some personal space and time to explore and identify your dreams that you may have put on hold. You can make a list of desired activities and dreams, and order them by importance. By following your dreams, you're actually working toward living out your passion. And, you'll have the added benefit of not having regrets.

The importance of dream journals

Karin Violino, at ezinearticles, has an excellent post about the vitalness of recording our nightly dreams. I've discussed journaling your dreams before, but she eloquently helps you to understand the personal importance of keeping your dreams logged. By keeping logs, you'll be able to revisit particular dreams at a later time for deeper exploration.

All of your dreams have something to say about you, your life and the changes that you can make for growth and fulfillment. Karen, also explains that even our nightmares hold value for us, if we are open and willing to explore them.

She says, "The key to dreams is to take them as they are." And, that is wonderful and powerful advice. Be open to the possibility that the dream has meaning. Once you accept that a dream can have meaning, you'll be drawn into a personal dream exploration practice.

I believe that any single dream contains the essential message about our existence. ~ Frederick Perls

A new illustrated edition of Freud's "The Interpretation of Dreams" is available. Art by modern artists included - http://lat.ms/fLxtO2

Book ideas: The Three Only Things - by Robert Moss

"The Three 'Only' Things - Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence & Imagination" by Robert Moss.

Robert Moss has written several books on the subject of dreaming and leads popular seminars about learning to understand your dreams all around the globe. He even offers an intensive training to learn to teach his dream interpretation techniques.

Moss was born in Australia, where he managed to survive multiple life threatening illnesses in his childhood. During his early career he worked as a journalist and as a lecturer at the Australian National University, where he taught ancient history. I believe that the skills and training he acquired in these fields adds further depth and validity to his wisdom that he tries to portray in an honest, simple and fully intelligent manner throughout his books.

The title "Three Only Things" refers to dreams, imagination and coincidences. The book urges that we not be dismissive about them. How often do you find yourself treating a dream, idea or chance encounter as if it were meaningless. Think about how often you hear phrases like the following:

• "It’s only a dream."
• "Our dreams are meaningless."
• "That was only pure chance."
• "That was only a coincidence."
• "It was only in my imagination."
• "Don't let your imagination run wild."
• "I was thinking of X, and I bumped into him at the market."
• “Funny meeting YOU here.”
• “I was just thinking of you.”

The ultimate goal of the book is to help you to begin to see that your dreams, imagination, experiences and synchronicities have value, importance and meaning for your overall life and well-being. The well structured guidance from the book can help you to better appreciate that what you once considered "only" a dream might actually offer a solution to a particular challenge. Perhaps, what you consider "only" to be your wild imagination might be important guidance to keep you out of harms way. A remarkable opportunity might unfold from what you initially perceived as "only" a coincidence. Moss helps you to look at dreams, imagination and synchronicities as personal guidance. 

“In our everyday speech, in our unconsidered reflexive behaviors, we discount or put down dreams, coincidence and imagination as only this or that. Ironically, these three ‘only' things are extraordinary sources of guidance, healing and power - if we will only pay attention.” ~ Robert Moss, The Three Only Things

Throughout the book Moss shares stories that help you to see that somehow, buried within the trappings of everyday life, important personal symbols are awaiting your discovery. Through various simple, yet often fun, games and exercises Moss teaches you how to recognize the value and uniqueness of your experiences. The book is packed with powerful examples of people who have begun to recognize the power of the "Three Only Things" within their own lives. Personal stories from anonymous and well known people are included. He mentions Mark Twain, Winston Churhill and others. For many of these people, it's interesting to see that their lives were probably not that different from yours, but they learned to work with their intuition, and became keen observers of the events and surroundings in their lives. Their stories make you eager to try out the examples and exercises for yourself.

The book offers plenty of tips, practical guidelines, ideas and tools. For myself, and I hope you too, the exercises and the stories were both motivational and inspiring. The book helps to melt away your disconnect with reality, symbolism and intuition. You learn that there is a place for mystery and wonder in your life. By being alert to the symbolism within your everyday waking life you can tap into an important, and often hidden, source of personal guidance.

Reading the book really helps you to begin to want to listen to the voice of your intuition. Gradually, the book will help you to begin to be able to decode messages hidden in your dreams, imagination and chance encounters. As you begin to work with the exercises, you'll come to understand the validity of the "Three Things" and realize that they do often contain guidance and insight for making changes, being creative and healing. You will come to realize that you can be your own guide, if you're willing and able to listen to your intuition. Your dreams, coincidences and chance encounters all can be vital sources of intuitive guidance. Moss teaches that by being discerning, yet curious, you can find meaning within all of your experiences by peering beneath the surface of your life. The process is about becoming more alive, awake and conscious of your choices and actions. It's also about having a sense of wonder. This process will help you to more deeply embrace and appreciate your life and the richness that it has to offer.

You'll find many simple exercises and suggestions for how to develop and sharpen your intuitive skills. One of the exercises I found most exciting is one done with a group of people. The exercise has everyone in the group write down something that "pops" into their mind on an index card. They are only instructed to write something on the card, but not about what is about to happen after they are done. They can jot down anything that they are thinking of in the moment. It could be a quote, song lyrics, something they said to their kids or whatever they are inspired to write or draw on their card. The cards are then collected and shuffled and placed in a basket. Then one at a time, everyone asks a question that they want an answer for. They do this aloud or to themselves, and then pull a card from the basket. The card is now treated as if it was a Tarot or oracle card, and you can use it to answer your question. I worked with this at a workshop that I attended and many people had amazing answers that brought wisdom and clarity to their questions.

The "Three Only Things" is a practical and simple to understand book that will help you to develop and enhance your intuition. I encourage you to read it, especially if you have an interest in dream interpretation or understanding more about the the power of your imagination, or the significance of coincidences in your life.

Find out more at: www.mossdreams.com

 

On most days, most of us, sequestered from soul and its knowing, are merely receivers of the results of choices made in this realm that is hidden from the ordinary mind. ~ Robert Moss, from blog post: "The soul throws an image before her"

Introduction to Dr Matthew Edlund

Sleep researcher Matthew Edlund has recently published a brief post about the science behind the movie “Inception”. He looks at whether or not the world from the film can exist in reality. In the movie, Leonardo DiCaprio is able to enter into other people's dreams. DiCaprio's character is given the task of finding a way to get another character to change his mind about the course of action that he will choose.

In the article, Edlund dismisses most of the techniques that are used in the movie, but gives some helpful advice about shaping and altering your dreams. Here are some of his tips:

1. Write down an old, favorite dream or experience in three to four sentences.
2. Add two sentences that remake that dream's plot you the way you want.
3. Visualize the new dream three to four times a day a minute each time.
4. When you wake up, record your dreams.

In addition to dreaming and sleep, Edlund, director of the Center for Circadian Medicine, focuses his research on the importance of rest and body clocks. He’s published several books about the importance of sleep and rest. He says that achieving real rest is a vital skill, that can help to rebuild and renew mind and body. He says that we don’t just need sleep, but “Active Rest,” which is a conscious resting of your mind, body and spirit. For Edlund, Active Rest can involve techniques like deep breathing and self-hypnosis. Some of his primary research on rest involves looking at ways in which we can use rest to: heal from disease, work in conjunction with our diets, and fight against normal workday exhaustion to become more productive on the job.

Edlund teaches that we need both active and passive rest. Sleep provides “passive” rest, because it’s not goal-oriented or directed. We don’t control what is happening with our bodies when we’re asleep. But, tools like meditation and deep breathing can help us to achieve what Edlund calls “Active Rest”. There are four types of Active Rest: 

Physical rest - You pay attention to your body processes to slow down and relax (Yoga, Tai Chi)
Mental rest - You focus attention to obtain a sense of relaxed control (self-hypnosis, breathing)
Social rest- You connect with people in different ways (Sharing about issues, Social gatherings)
Spiritual rest - You connect with things greater than one’s self (meditation)

Read more:

  Rest & Sleep with Dr. Edlund at lifescript
  Blog talk radio - With Dr. Edlund