Monday, April 11, 2011

8 types of dreams - and how to use them for inspiration with N-of-8

I’ve often found innovative insights through “forced connection.” When I give concentrated attention to seemingly random information or visuals, I allow my brain to process it and find a new relationship or meaning. This leads to original ideas or original ways to implement them.

So for my upcoming book, I have been collecting a variety of “top 8” lists to use for inspiration for N-of-8 exercises. They contain seeds and sources of ideas that can applied to an array of challenges.

Here is a list of 8 types of dreams:
  1. Richness dreams - Dreamer will get some prize or winnings. It can be in different forms, from people becoming magnates or winning some lottery. In some cases, it’s about glory not riches.
  2. Despair dreams - Dreamer has a problem to achieve very familiar goals. For example, packing his luggage, finding the car where he parked, catching a train or plane. In other situations, dreamer needs money, but he doesn’t know how to get it. 
  3. Traveling dreams - These can be concrete about the travel to some place. Or it might be abstract, flying in the wind or space. These dreams are about freedom, need, or something to own.
  4. Downfall dreams - Dreamer is falling down from the skycraper, bridge, airplane. Dream experience is about downfall sense. People are awakened as soon as they fall down. This dream is about situations in which the dreamer is afraid.
  5. Pursuit dreams - People, animals, or the natural elements (flood or avalanche) hunt the dreamer. It’s symbol of hidden scare.
  6. Hanging in the snare dreams - Dreamer is stranded in cellar, cave, or prison and can’t go out. In some similar dreams, the dreamer is in danger of explosion or crashing into something. These dreams are symbols of hidden fears.
  7. Nude dreams - These dreams present some frustration or the feeling of being undervalued.
  8. Violence dreams - In some cases, the dreamer attacks someone. This dream is about trying to restrain one’s anger.
Consider collecting your own lists, quotes, and articles. From books, magazines, biographies, the Bible (or other religious texts), newspapers, trade journals, best-selling songs, and many more sources. And if you have a favorite list, I hope you’ll share it with me.

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