Whether you notice it or not, we dream every night. Until now, scientists do not know why we dream,but many people believe that dreaming is the way our subconscious makes sense of our daily lives.

By Yvette Tan

It may be an indicator of what is making us happy or what is stressing us out (like if you dream about things going wrong at work, for example). Some people also believe that dreams may hold the answer to questions raised in our lives, and can even foretell the future. Dream interpretation has been around for a long time, and is even mentioned in the Bible. This interest in finding meaning in one's dreams is still alive today, though it is important not to give it too much importance, or put too much thought into it. After all, your future is one that you create yourself.

Here are some of the most common dreams and what they mean:

Accident
Dreaming of an accident doesn't mean that you're going to get into one. More often than not, dreaming about things going wrong means that you are anxious about something, either in your professional or personal life. If a dream about an accident is particularly unsettling, it would be a good idea to examine yourself. What disturbs you? Is it an upcoming presentation? Is it the health of a loved one? Do you have any repressed anger towards someone? Questions like these go a long way to figuring out the source of your dream.

Being chased
The dream of being chased by a mysterious figure is a common one. Oftentimes, this points to a deep-seated insecurity that the dreamer may not admit to herself, hence the running away from something. To figure out what your dream means, ask yourself if you are running away from something. Or if you are the one doing the chasing, ask yourself if there is something that you are after. Or, if you happen to find yourself in one of those dreams where you know you are dreaming, try a Native American trick and chase after your pursuer instead. Catch him and unmask him, and you will find out that what you were afraid of isn't so bad after all.

Falling
Dreams about falling usually belong to two categories. Scientifically, one may dream of falling as one drifts off to sleep. A change in blood pressure or some outside stimulus (such as falling towards your desk when you fall asleep in class) can trigger this dream. Symbolically, dreaming of falling could mean a fear of letting go or losing control of something in real life. Simply put, it could mean a fear of failure. Find out what is making you anxious in real life and take steps to either bone up on preparation, or loosen up and not take things too seriously.

Flying
A dream of flying is often the opposite of the dream of falling, since most dreams of flying tend to be pleasant ones. This often means that you have finally let go of something that has been weighing you down, or that you have discovered something good about yourself. If, however, your dream of flying is accompanied by fear, you may have set your ambitions too high.

Being naked in a crowd
Often portrayed in movies, dreaming that you are naked often means that you are insecure about yourself. You may feel vulnerable and are afraid that you will not be accepted for who you really are. Oftentimes, an honest self-examination of how you want to be perceived as opposed to the type of person you really are is instrumental in getting to the bottom of the nudity dream. Nudity can also mean that you are seeking the truth about something, or that you miss the innocence of childhood.

Falling teeth
In Philippine culture, dreaming of falling teeth signals that a death is near. In the broader scheme of things, however, dreaming of falling teeth may symbolize insecurity and self-consciousness. This dream often occurs when one's life is in flux. Ask yourself what is making you anxious. Is it because you feel that you are getting older and less attractive (a common source of anxiety dreams)? If so, find ways to get back in balance. Going to the spa or getting your nails done can do wonders for your self-confidence.


PHOTO:STEPHANIE HOFSCHLAEGER(WWW.SXC.HU)