Do you dream of having a baby?

I don’t mean dream as in long to have a child. I know you do! I mean dream of healthy fertility, conception and pregnancy, or even birth, while sleeping. Do you see images, participate in experiences, and feel the emotions in your dreams?

I reach out to you today to present the idea that we may be able to cultivate what we want, and change the circumstances of our lives through our dreams.

Science tells us that everyone dreams every night. Some people are able to recall dreams easily and other are not (dream recall can be learned). Regardless, there is a school of thought that people can learn to dream in a way that is helpful for them.

Many East Asian cultures still believe in conception dreams, where a woman or a member of her family will have a dream about the pregnancy, child, or even about the child’s future prior to, or in early pregnancy. The dreams are believed to influence the new mother’s feelings and attitudes about themselves, the pregnancy and child, expectations for their child and personal relationships during pregnancy, and beyond. Even in ancient times dreams were believed to have the power to solve problems and even enhance fertility.

Today, many natural healthcare practitioners and of course dream workers believe in the mind-body connection – the idea that the body responds emotionally and physically to thoughts. This is true in our waking lives, but also while asleep.

The Power of Your Dreams

Dreamwork, which is using dreams for healing, self-enrichment and self-discovery, has been used as a tool to:

• better oneself
• bring greater fulfillment to waking life
• deal with anxiety
• enhance personal relationships
• navigate difficult times
• overcome fears
• solve problems

Who hasn’t at one point or another on this fertility journey, needed support in each of these areas? Each of our human experiences differ on all levels and dimensions. To recognize that emotions have a profound effect on the physical body opens us up to the ability to believe that waking thoughts and dream thoughts can be shaped to benefit our desires and our health.

You can use your mind to improve your health. Mind and body therapies for fertility like visualization, Emotional Freedom Technique, meditation, Yoga, guided-imagery, positive affirmations and dreaming all have the ability to positively impact outlook and emotional health not only while on your fertility journey, but throughout your entire life. If this concept fascinates you, whether you remember your dreams or not, just two of many books to consider picking up are:

Teach yourself to dream: A practical guide by David Fontana Ph.D.

Creative dreaming: Plan and control your dreams to develop creativity, overcome fears, solve problems, and create a better self by Patricia Garfield, Ph.D.

“Dreams are our chance to eavesdrop on a conversation between our unconscious and conscious minds” ~ David Fontana Ph.D.

We would love to hear about your fertility or pregnancy dreams, please share your special dream below in our comments area.

References:
1. Doh, MS., N., & Knudson, Ph. D., R. (n.d.). ASD International Conference. Retrieved December 21, 2014, from http://www.asdreams.org/2003/abstracts/nah-ree_doh.htm
2. Fontana, D. (1997). Teach yourself to dream: A practical guide. East Roseville, N.S.W.: Simon & Schuster.
3. Garfield, P. (1995). Creative dreaming: Plan and control your dreams to develop creativity, overcome fears, solve problems, and create a better self. New York: Simon & Schuster.
4. Garfield, P. (1991). The healing power of dreams. New York: Simon & Schuster.
5. LaBerge, S. (1985, January 1). Chapter 8: Dreaming: Function And Meaning. Retrieved December 21, 2014, from http://lucidity.com/LD8DFM.html
6. The Connection Between Mind And Body. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2014, from http://www.bravewell.org/patient_empowerment/you_and_your_health/mind_and_body_connection/