Dream Analyst, David Rivinus, Says Unusual Experiences during the Day Are Also Dreams

In what might seem a radical assertion, David Rivinus, dream analyst and the author of the new book “Always Dreaming,” claims that peculiar and upsetting events that occur during the day are also dreams. In his book he follows the case histories of several people who have unsettling occurrences during their waking hours. These events include an attack by a pair of Doberman Pinschers, a weird automobile crash caused by a malfunctioning cruise control, and an antagonistic divorce.

In each case, Rivinus advises the individuals involved not to take the events literally, but to see them as dreams. In this unusual approach, the “dreamer” interprets the event, treating the various elements—dogs, cars, ex-spouses, etc.—as dream symbols, i.e. metaphors. A car, for example, becomes a “vehicle” in a more general sense. An attacking dog is seen as an aggressive “animal” tendency. But this tendency is one that belongs to the dreamer himself. In the boldest and most radical assertion in his book, Rivinus claims that the dreamer subconsciously draws these events to himself in order to deliver himself a message. Says Rivinus, “More often than not, the message is about one of the dreamer’s own internal conflicts.”

In a series of case histories, Rivinus follows his “dreamers” from their initial, unpleasant encounter. He guides them through their sometimes-difficult effort to look at the experience in this unorthodox way. And he finally brings them to the personal revelations that they have at the end. Most of these dream interpretation sessions happen in relatively brief meetings. The exception is a divorce which Rivinus tracks along with the victimized wife for several weeks.

The conclusion Rivinus reaches is that life should not be taken only at face value. “We live in a paradox,” he says. “On one hand, we pay our bills and cook our meals in the normal way. But we also seem to be involved in a metaphoric dialogue with life, a dialogue we rarely pay attention to.”

David Rivinus is a dream analyst with four decades of experience. He has lectured and facilitated workshops in multiple countries across Western Europe and the Americas. He has now documented his findings and methods. The complete title of his new book is “Always Dreaming—Gaining Insights from the Metaphors of our Sleeping and Waking Lives.” For more information, contact details, photos and author bio, please visit http:///www.teacherofdreams.com.