Sigmund Freud – The Interpretation of Dreams

By Lauri Jean Crowe

In order to do an adequate study of the dreaming process, we must discuss those people who have been influential in dream science throughout the ages and into the modern day.

A predominant figure in the history of dreams is Sigmund Freud, the renowned psychologist who, although not originating the concept of dream interpretation, was integral in developing some methodologies of utilizing the dream as a means of deciphering the psyche of the dreamer – particularly in uncovering and analyzing the dreamer’s psychological problems.

Freud’s dream book deals with the intersection of fantasy and reality. In his view, the purpose of dreams was to allow the individual to experience those instinctual urges which society deems unacceptable. As Freud was a product of the Victorian age, much of his dreamwork focused on the symbolism of dreams as projections of feelings of sexual frustration and guilt, and he was often dubbed “the Vienesse Sexologist.” Freud felt that the dreaming mind transforms and censors dream content so as to disguise its true meaning and therefore the fantasies created in dream will not evoke the strong emotional response in the dreamer that would typically cause the individual to wake. As such, Freudian dreamwork is about uncovering and discerning the meaning behind the dream, to penetrate the disguise and interpret the true dream behind the fantasy.

The important work Sigmund Freud: The Interpretation of Dreams is still argued by modern day researchers as a viable tool for studying the dream process. In it, he describes five distinct processes which are brought into play during dreamwork:

Displacement: This is where the dreamer represses an urge, and then redirects that urge to another person or object. If the individual were to engage in the literal dream of killing their mother-in-law (a repressed urge), the strong emotions evoked in the dream would awaken the dreamer. Instead of killing the mother-in-law, in displacement the dreamer might instead have the fantasy within the dream of the mother-in-law being crushed in a car accident.

Condensation: This is the process whereby the dreamer disguises a particular urge, emotion or thought by condensing, or contracting, it into a brief dream image. This brief event symbolizes the deeper meaning behind it, which in most cases is not readily evident.

Symbolization: This is where the repressed urge is played out in a symbolic act. For instance, in Freud’s methodology the act of inserting a key into a keyhole would have sexual meaning.

Projection: This is the projection of the dreamer’s repressed desire onto other people, but should not be confused with displacement as it does not involve objects. In projection, instead of dreaming about sleeping with their co-worker, the individual would dream of their boss in bed with the desired sexual partner, projecting the urge onto the boss rather than literally dreaming themselves in the bed.

Secondary revision: This is the expression Freud uses for the final stage of dream production. After the individual undergoes one or more of the other four dreamwork processes, they then undergo the secondary processes of the ego in which the more bizarre components of the dream are reorganized so the dream has a comprehensible surface meaning. This surface meaning, once arrived at through secondary revision, is called the manifest dream.

The process of dreamwork in Freudian theory is to interpret the content of the manifest dream, using psychoanalysis to decode the manifest content of the dream, and discover the hidden, “real” meaning of the dream which is termed the latent dream. This is discussed extensively in his book, and has been built upon by a variety of other researchers through the ages. Others, however, entirely discount Freud’s work. Their methodologies for the interpretation of the dream will be discussed in future articles.

Lauri Jean Crowe is a freelance writer known for such diverse topics as dreams, sexuality, gardening, health and parenting. She is a freelance writer, artist and designer living in Michigan, USA.

Are Women Really Superior to Men?

By Salma N. Ajani

While doing my search for this idea, I came across something interesting on the web. At a hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where a family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and serious.

Surveying the worried faces, the doctor said, “I’m afraid I’m the bearer of bad news. The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain transplant. It’s an experimental procedure, very risky, you will have to pay for the brain yourselves.”

The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a great length of time, someone asked, “Well, how much does a brain cost?” The doctor quickly responded, “$5,000 for a male brain, and $200 for a female brain.”

The moment turned awkward. Men in the room tried not to smile; avoiding eye contact with the women, but some actually smirked. One man, unable to control his curiosity, blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask, “Why is the male brain so much more expensive?”

The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and said to the entire group, “It’s just standard pricing procedure. We have to mark down the price of the female brains, because they’ve been used.”

Keeping all kidding aside, let’s answer this age old question; evaluate what we know up to this point, scientifically as well as culturally. Are women really superior to men?

Now research is confirming that the brains of men and women are somewhat different. Studies show that human male brains are, on average, approximately 10 percent larger than female brains. Certain brain areas in women, however, contain more nerve cells.

We must pay special interest on the amount of “gray matter,” the part of the brain that allows us to think. The researchers wanted to know if women have as much gray matter as men or more to make up for the smaller brains. Later, it was proven that women have 55.4 percent gray matter, vs. 50.8 in men.

Men listen with only one side of their brains, while women use both, according to information on brain imaging presented in November 2002, at the 86th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Other research suggests that on average the female brain performs better on some skills, while the male brain executes other tasks at a higher level. It makes sense that brains vary between the sexes. Each sex had a very defined role in ancient time, which helped ensure the survival of the human race. Cave men hunted. Cave women gathered food near the home, and cared for the children.

None of these show superiority, but does show that we are made differently, with different needs, and different ideas. Why do we then compare for superiority, or even expect the other to be just like us?

It is important to realize that man and women are made differently, for a reason. Especially women, need someone she can talk to, share her ideas with and grow with. Man need to hunt, to protect, not ask for directions when they are lost, or I should say just be Men.

In old times, especially in Asian and Eastern cultures, women had many disadvantages (compared to now). Male Emperors would marry many women. Society did not provide woman with many rights. Women were pretty much confined to their homes. However, despite of these disadvantages, there were few women who had access to that woman wisdom, or power. Now, what was the difference between those women, who found their power, vs. those who did not?

The answer is synergy. These powerful women were each other’s support. No jealousies, no putting other women down; just supporting each other to the best of their ability. In fact, when the male emperor would mate with one of his wives, other wives would take care of that wife ahead of time. Give her massages, feed her wonderful and healthy foods, talk to her, and provide her with all the emotional support that was needed.

Today, women have more rights, more freedom, better living conditions. They are lot more aggressive, but they still do not feel as empowered, peaceful and in control.

In today’s society, the concept of women bonding is pretty much lost. Even when a woman goes to different feminine organizations, her goal is networking, improving her business, and benefiting anything and everything, but herself.

If you pay close attention and realize that the difference between a plant, which is alive, and a plant which is dead, is the plant which is alive, is growing. In order for our children to survive, and humankind to flourish in the future, our children must evolve beyond us. In order for them to go beyond us, they need to understand life from all points of view, both male and female. That is why we are here, to teach, to guide, and to help the universe expand and evolve with our differences.

One day I was flipping TV channels where I came across one of those shows where a priest was giving a sermon. He asked something very interesting to his congregations. The question was, “What is the best thing a father can do for their children”? The answer was “Love their mother”. Now this is something I have learned all through my life in my family as to how much powerful a woman can be. I do not mean physically or even mentally. In fact, I grew up learning that my brothers were much smarter and stronger then I was. But there was always this converse of women power or women wisdom, which was always talked about, but was never clarified.

Many women do not realize that their superiority and strength comes from bonding with other women. Man can’t full fill all of your needs and desires. When it comes to emotional bonding, which usually comes from talking, sharing and connecting, girlfriends are the key. Cherish your friends, and specially your women friendships.

Both Man and woman need to be supportive and a source of strength for each other, but timing is the key. Women who have other women to bond with, to share with, to educate and grow with, have more peaceful marriages. These women do not desire to talk to their husbands as soon as he walks into the home, tired from work. In fact, they become source of strength and support for him.

More then half of the marriages end up in divorce in this country. Some time it feels that all the advancement are coming to us with a hefty price. More and more women find themselves helpless, in one form or the other. All it boils down to is that all the power and freedom did not come with the wisdom it required. Woman before us got us the power to move forward, now, it is our responsibility to add wisdom to this power before passing on to our next generation.

The difference between man and women are logical. It makes sense that brains vary between the sexes. Men tend to be more natural-born protectors while women are natural-born nurturers. When women use these natural abilities to form, cultivate, and foster business relationships, they can create lasting business associations in the business circle.

To answer the question, are women superior to men? The answer is, it does not really matter, if we choose not to use that power and wisdom already given to us. From the beginning of the time, only a handful of women are using their full power and wisdom. They understand, and choose to learn and choose to use their strengths. Whether you are a at-home mom or a working women, understanding and connecting with other woman, educating ourselves and truly supporting each other, will help us be who we naturally are, phenomenal women.

Salma Ajani is the Managing Consultant at Ajani & Associates. She is a full-time professional speaker/trainer, author, and consultant, and specializes in the concept of “Women” and “Accelerating Change”. She has worked with Anthony Robbins as a Corporate Speaker, while traveling with his seminars all over the country. Salma uses therapeutic models in her work, such as NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Erickisonian Hypnosis, Virginia Satir’s Family Therapy, Silva Method, and Richard Bandler’s DHE (Design Human Engineering). ajani.com

7-Letter Bad Word

By S.D. Craig……. or is it by her dog Nikki?

So, what are you looking at? Yeah, I know I look funny. Just got back in from the groomer. It’s the 7-letter bad word for dogs. Just ask George Carlin about bad words. He taught me a few others when I was younger. Back when I was just a pup. I got a hold of some others from listening to his old albums when SHE and HE leave the house.

I’d like to know what the big deal is about smelling good, having your hair trimmed just so, clipping your nails. Then let’s talk about the silly little bandana about my neck or, when they forget I’m male, the bow perched on my perky little head. That stuff is downright humiliating, not to mention it falls into my water dish. Drags around after that getting dirty under my neck. Good grief. And dog perfume? Come on. Be serious. I smell just fine the way I am. Why do you think I roll in everything I see?

SHE doesn’t have a clue how awful the day spent at the groomer is. Shh. Don’t even say the word out loud. THEY might send me back for another visit. Have you ever seen what they do to a dog? They hitch up your groin with a strap like you’re a fish in a net, just barely letting those back feet touch the ground. This is so’s you can’t escape while they trim you in various places. I stand perfectly still, or hang perfectly still. I don’t want that lady missing with those blades. You know what’s down there, don’t you? Uh huh.

When we arrive, I often scramble with my paws on the slippery floor and try to escape out the front door. I pretend I must pee. I hit the familiar patch of grass like it’s a savior of dog’s souls. My brain rushes to figure out what to do to get away from HER. From that 7-letter bad word. Groomer. Don’t make me go, please, please, I won’t spill my food on the carpet when you vacuum, or chew the treats in front of the TV. I won’t sniff the inside of the car’s windows either. Honest.

It’s not worth the bone I get when I’m done being tortured. That woman tosses me one when I depart. Well, that’s not fair. She doesn’t toss it. Yet I deserve the whole box of bones for what she’s put me through. You see, my coat is so nice I have to be hand-scissored. This takes forever and lots of patience on my part. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s hard work for the groomer too, but frankly, I don’t give a damn. I want out.

I don’t like cussing but things like this get a dog’s dander up. I’d put up with a vet trip and a shot before I would waltz into the groomer’s shop on purpose.

Bad word. Bad word. I just know I’m going to have nightmares tonight. Twitch and twist and turn and moan. I’ve heard HIM do it.

Somehow, dogs must get together and fill out a petition to stop this kind of treatment. We deserve featherbeds and cuddly sweaters and petting. It shouldn’t matter that we don’t bathe. That our hair grows long and raggedy. That…

Oh all right, make the appointment. Next month. I’ve got thirty days to dread it and cuss.

About the writer:

SD Craig is a freelance writer and editor of LovingYourCurves.com and was given the nickname “Chatterbox” by fellow writers. At age fifty, Craig’s Southern flair and sense of humor give her plenty to write about with a rapier wit and a wacky outlook. Her articles on body image (her biggest passion), marriage/divorce and relationships, family, friends, career issues, computers, the Internet, horses, baseball, movie reviews and writing tips remind one of Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry. A freelance writer who once juggled five columns then got real, Craig welcomes your e-mails and feedback on her articles. Drop her a hello at sdcraig922@yahoo.com or stop by www.lovingyourcurves.com.