Dream analysis serves to quicken our development. While we all grow and develop over time, the practice of dream analysis accelerates what Jung termed the individuation process.
Present at the very core of life is the urge toward evolution. We can see this drive in the emergence of life as well as the constant calling for progress. Psychologically, this evolutionary drive is apparent in the desire to better ourselves, to become more than what we are.
In Thus Spake Zarathustra, Nietzsche ushered in a new myth.
I teach you the Overman! Mankind is something to be overcome. What have you done to overcome mankind?
All beings so far have created something beyond themselves. Do you want to be the ebb of that great tide, and revert back to the beast rather than overcome mankind? What is the ape to a man? A laughing-stock, a thing of shame. And just so shall a man be to the Overman: a laughing-stock, a thing of shame. You have evolved from worm to man, but much within you is still worm.
Irrespective of their religious creed, there are few amongst who would not agree that we should aim to extend ourselves. Although it is relatively new, the concept of Self-development has gained widespread appeal.
The question then in how do we develop ourselves? How do we speed the process of individuation? While we may train and educate ourselves, or adopt some spiritual path, the individuation process is accelerated only when we focus on that which is least refined and developed within ourselves.
Herein lies one of the greatest impedances to self-development. Rather than focus on our weakness, we tend to focus on our strengths. When deciding a path of study for example, we inevitably choose that which we like. Rarely do we opt for that which forces us to work on our shadow.
Here is where dream analysis can be most useful. As Jung noted, the dream aims to amend a lopsided consciousness. The dream highlights what we remain ignorant of. One cannot pick one’s dreams. In analysing one’s dreams, one is quickly brought face to face with one’s own shadow.
As discussed, deep heart of life lays an evolutionary drive. Psychologically speaking this drive is expressed as a desire for an ever increasing state of consciousness. We aim to add to the achievements of our forebears, and hope that our children will surpass us just as we aim to surpass our parents.
This evolutionary force is expressed through our dreams. Our dreams lead us forward; each dream presents the next step. In analysing our dreams we enter into the unconscious. In analysing and understanding our dreams we raise our consciousness.