Nightmares can feel like an invisible weight we carry into the day. They jolt us awake, leave emotional traces, and sometimes make us dread falling asleep. But what if nightmares aren’t just random fears playing out? In this article, we will explore why nightmares happen through several lenses — including Aboriginal Dreamtime perspectives and Process Work ideas — and most importantly, how to begin working with them rather than fearing them. Nightmares are often profound messengers, and when we learn to listen, they can open doors to healing and transformation.

Aboriginal Perspective on Nightmares

In Aboriginal Australian cultures, dreams — including nightmares — are deeply sacred. They are part of the "Dreamtime," the foundational time when the world was created and ancestral spirits formed the land, laws, and customs. Dreams are not seen as separate from daily life; rather, they are an ongoing conversation with the spirit world.

Nightmares, from this viewpoint, might signal a disruption in our connection to the land, to ancestors, or to our community. They can be warnings, lessons, or reminders to realign ourselves with deeper laws of life. For example, if someone repeatedly dreams of being chased by a wild animal, it could be interpreted as a spirit urging them to face a neglected duty or re-enter a spiritual path they have strayed from.

Learn more about Aboriginal Dreamtime here.

Process Work View on Nightmares

Process Work, developed by Arnold Mindell, sees nightmares as expressions of the "dreambody" — the part of us that communicates through body symptoms, dreams, and other non-ordinary experiences. In this view, nightmares aren’t enemies; they are powerful parts of ourselves trying to get our attention.

A nightmare’s intense imagery often points to something urgent within our emotional or physical life that we have overlooked, suppressed, or misunderstood. For example, dreaming of being trapped in a collapsing building might reflect a feeling of being emotionally stuck in a life situation that no longer supports our growth. The fear in the dream is real — but it’s not there to punish us; it’s trying to push us toward necessary change.

Unfolding the Message of Nightmares

When nightmares recur, it's a strong signal: "Don't look away." Instead of interpreting nightmares only symbolically (e.g., "a snake means danger"), Process Work encourages us to experience the energy of the dream directly. What is it like to be the snake? What qualities does it embody? What part of you might need to embody those qualities — for example, setting boundaries or embracing transformation?

This is why in dreamwork, it's crucial to notice your feelings during the nightmare. Were you terrified, angry, frozen? These feelings are keys to understanding the message. Often, the figure or force that frightens us holds qualities we need to integrate into our waking lives to grow stronger, freer, and more whole.

Recurring nightmares, especially, point to themes we haven’t yet fully addressed. If you'd like to explore recurring figures and what they might symbolize in your dreams, you might enjoy this related post: Why Do I Keep Dreaming About Someone? Exploring the Deeper Meaning of Recurring Dream Figures.

Examples of How Nightmares Communicate

  • The Pursuer: You dream someone is chasing you. Instead of asking “Who is it?” try exploring: What qualities does the pursuer have? Are they aggressive, relentless, wild? Perhaps your own assertiveness or courage is knocking on your door, demanding to be acknowledged.
  • The Natural Disaster: You dream of an overwhelming flood. Water often symbolizes emotions. Is there a tidal wave of feelings you’ve been trying to suppress? The dream may be urging you to allow those emotions to be expressed in a safe way.
  • The Abandoned Place: You find yourself in an empty, collapsing house. This could represent an outdated identity or belief system that needs rebuilding — a call to construct a "new home" for your evolving self.

Practical Tips for Working with Nightmares

  1. Record Immediately: Keep a notebook by your bed. Write down nightmares as soon as you wake up, capturing details without judgment.
  2. Feel Into It: Notice the body sensations the dream leaves you with. Tight chest? Nausea? Tingling? These are part of your dreambody’s message.
  3. Dialogue with Dream Figures: Imagine having a conversation with the monster, the flood, the collapsing building. Ask: "What do you want to teach me?" Be curious, not combative.
  4. Notice Recurring Themes: Patterns are gold in dreamwork. If you see similar images, settings, or emotions across different nightmares, there's a deeper story unfolding. Working with recurring symbols daily can help, and you might like this guide: How to Interpret Dreams: A Daily Practice You Can Use to Improve Your Life.
  5. Get Support: If nightmares feel overwhelming, working with a dream-oriented therapist can help you safely explore their layers and find empowerment through them.

Conclusion

Nightmares are not random punishments. They are fierce, sometimes uncomfortable, but profoundly wise communications from within. Through Aboriginal understandings, we see nightmares as messages from the spirit world; through Process Work, we see them as urgent energies trying to move us toward greater wholeness. Facing nightmares with curiosity rather than fear allows us to transform them from haunting images into powerful allies on our journey.

Sources