Dreams

[therese_lisieux_1]

Do you believe that dreams are only random subconscious thoughts or do we have dreams that actually are God’s way to communicate to us about different things in our lives? I have had a few dreams in my life that I believe were from God, but I am curious if anyone else believes this or if there is anything in the catechism about it. New Catholic.

 

[Julian0404]

There are messages within the Bible that were delivered in dreams, and Father Larry Richard, in his CD TRUTH, describes a dream he had which fore told of his ministry in the priesthood.

 

[mellowcalico]

Maybe both. Some of my dreams are just out there, while others are more spiritual. A couple of nights ago, in my dream I was praying the Rosary and I dreamed about Mary… was it from God or was it because I prayed the Rosary right before going to bed? It could be both really.

 

[FaustinaClare]

You hear of even more modern saints (more modern than bible age) having dreams that were messages from God. I’ve had several dreams that are comforting and even some that are so bizarre I can’t imagine them coming from me but I’ve always been to scared to presume that they come from Him and I try to explain it by natural means. For example

#1:When I joined the Catholic Church I was worried about what my grandfather (who was and is extremely important to me) would think, even though he has passed on. Right before my confirmation I dreamed that I was in the Church and my grandfather was there watching me be confirmed telling me he loved me, was proud of me, and was just happy to see that I was dedicated to Christ. Was that a message or just my subconscious calming my worry?

#2: I was having a really rough time and I dreamed that I was told to read the book of Matthew and then the person started reading the beatitudes word for word. I woke up and was like that’s weird, I didn’t even know where the beatitudes were in the bible and I had even forgotten they were called beatitudes lol. So I called my grandmother and I asked her where they were and she said, the book of Matthew. I was like woah! So I read them and it helped me.

#3: The freakiest one being (when I was anti Catholic, like severe anti Catholic) a man dressed as a Cardinal came to me in a dream and told me that Pope John Paul II was going to die very soon and he actually gave me the exact date in which he would pass on. I woke up thinking it very strange and told a friend of mine that morning. Two weeks later, sure enough on the day the Cardinal told me the Pope passed away. I was extremely freaked out. I stayed glued to the TV all through the process of his funeral and the selecting of a new pope. I couldn’t get enough of it and here I was an anti Catholic Baptist. I have no explanation for it but it got me interested in looking into Catholicism. Later I went to Italy and to the Vatican and then a little after that I became Catholic.

Messages from God? the Holy Spirit? or just my subconscious I will never know until I die I guess. To not risk being prideful I’m going to stick with the subconscious.

 

[magdelaine1173]

Do you believe that dreams are only random subconscious thoughts or do we have dreams that actually are God’s way to communicate to us about different things in our lives? I have had a few dreams in my life that I believe were from God, but I am curious if anyone else believes this or if there is anything in the catechism about it. New Catholic.

I’ve had spiritual dreams inasmuch as dreaming about my deceased mother. They are usually very relaxing and calming to me spiritually and mentally. She is usually reassuring me that things will be alright. And by the end of the dream it is morning and I wake feeling happy and refreshed.
Sometimes they are sad and I wake crying, but I always remember what my Mom said to me, ‘‘Don’t worry, I’ll be with you in spirit even when I am no longer here with you physically.’’ And it gives me strength to get through my day. Just a way of looking at dreams.
Magdelaine 1173

 

[puzzleannie]

Do you believe that dreams are only random subconscious thoughts or do we have dreams that actually are God’s way to communicate to us about different things in our lives? I.

this is not an either or question
most dreams are simply unconscious mental activity a kind of housecleaning, review, organizing, filing or discarding images and sensory (name removed by moderator)ut from our active life. Just as God can use our senses, imagination, intellect, memory and will when we are awake to communicate with us, so also can he use our unconscious including dreams to do so. We are limited in understanding, he his not limited in communication.

do I think dreams are the normal way God communicates? no I do not anymore than I think lightening strikes, burning bushes and weeping statues are the ordinary means of hearing God’s word. The normal way is the normal way, the scriptures, the teachings of the Church through those entrusted with that authority, and study of what has already been revealed. We have the 10 commandments, we don’t need a visit from an angel to tell us an extramarital affair or stealing from our employer is wrong, for instance. We have normal tested Catholic spiritual direction to help us discern vocations, so normally would not wait for a burning bush to embark on that choice.