I have the very same problem: bad dreams or nightmares every night, usually on three specific themes: being back in college (1967-1971)and having trouble finishing a final course and thus putting the degree I thought I had in jeopardy; the logistics involved in getting my extended family together for an event, usually in another town, with transportation difficulties foremost; and being in a job I left seven years ago and still attending meetings, asking myself why am I still here? ; I retired and can’t be around much longer. Other dreams may involve momentary problems like falling.

Recently, with a favorable ruling by for my disability, the one dream about the former job suddenly stopped one night a few weeks ago. In that dream I say that now that I have a more secure income I won’t be around any more. Gone!

So despite trials of meds intended to reduce bad dreams (clonidine) nothing was as effective as good news.

The Red Book is not a dream explanation textbook. It will not give you information, causes, or possible solutions to your nightmares. More likely than not, you won’t even find much about Jung’s studies of dreams. There are many other books and articles - some Jung’s, many not - covering these things. Pick up one of those (or just search the net) if you want the specifics behind why you have the dreams you do, as this will not help you there.

Instead, The Red Book is written more like a novel. Through its beautiful pages, we follow Jung as he explores both his sleeping and waking dreams, recording it all with both words and art. This was done over a thirteen year period which can only be described as pure psychedelic insanity, some experts even wondering if the contents of the book hinting at psychosis. Whatever the case may be, Jung considers The Red Book his most important work, and now the word finally gets a glimpse of its genius.

Erika

PS: Just to note, I have the same problems you do! For years now, sleeping at night means surviving a nightmare/bad dream.

Personally, I like Freud’s approach toward dreaming. He felt that the symbolism in a dream is personal–each person develops a particular symbolic pattern either in a series of dreams or just for the purpose of a single dream. He didn’t hold much stock in archetypal symbolism that derives from the collective unconscious.

The first depressing thing about Tbe Red Book is that it’s priced at $198.00. I checked.

lsj

I have always paid huge attention to my dreams . . and the emotion with which I am enveloped when I awaken. Usually, my dreams just confirm what I know in my waking hours . . . that I’m anxious about this, hopeful about that; that I don’t like a certain person.

But, sometimes, my dreams tell me what I haven’t been brave enough to identify in my waking hours . . how I feel about something or how important or unimportant something is to me. My dreams can call me to shift my focus and priorities.

- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)

My eight years old daughter is having bad dreams almost every night. We are a happy family of four. We pray every night talk about happy things before she goes to sleep. It doesn’t work. Please I need an answer to help my child.

It must be awful to watch your child go through this. I wish I could offer a solution. I suggest that you find a good child psychologist and perhaps talk to her teacher’s or guidance counselor to make sure there isn’t something going on at school. I will keep you all in my prayers.