Recurring Nightmares

I feel like I've looked a lot into dreaming itself, but not as much into nightmares as I would've hoped. Like I reckon I've got a good understanding, but need a tiny bit more to get the ball rolling for more ideas for my experimental animation.

I like the idea of the tidal wave. This is due to the fact that I imagine my animation to be at sea with a lighthouse making loops. The tidal wave can end the animation by 'waking the user up'.


References:
http://sleep.lovetoknow.com/reccurring-nightmare-meanings#kYDliZZiMrOfhQYm.97

Transdisciplinary Framework

I'm trying to further attempt the brief this weekend.
I will be going through each part carefully so I don't repeat myself too much and hopefully make sense. I've made a rushed post of going through the brief, but in this post, I will think more along the lines of a near final version.

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This will be a 2D animated, experimental short film integrating psychological techniques of the functions of how the unconscious dreams or more specifically, has nightmares. 

A dream is a manifestation of images and sometimes sounds which show common and uncommon interrelations. Dreaming occurs when the unconscious mind is at work. When the user is sleeping, dreaming comes into place. These dreams can range from experience in reality, things that the user feel will happen in the near future and also what the user is afraid of or what they are afraid of that may happen in reality. These are just a few examples of what the unconscious mind dreams about. It is different for everybody as everyone is unique and has their own share of experiences and knowledge. 

Nightmares associate with anxiety, fears, what the user stresses about in reality and traumatic experiences. It will be important to know the elements of nightmares and how they work. 

E.g. Dreaming about a car crash would reflect that the user has once experienced a car crash, is worried it will happen, has had small scares while driving, thinks they are a bad driver etc. Nightmares can help the user open their eyes to what the user has been afraid to accept in reality and when the user needs healing. If the user opens up to their nightmares and accepts them, they will vanish. If the user doesn't listen to the dream/nightmare, it may repeat or at least an element of that said dream.

In Sigmund Freud's findings, he found that things we don't accept through out the day can result in 'above' unconscious dreaming where everything is let out within that dream (negative thoughts & worries). The unconscious dreams about these neglected thoughts by helping the user accept these thoughts and ideas, so that the user can move on with their life. 

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I'm not sure if I will need the example written in red. This is already over 300 words as well D:

More Dream Research + Nightmares

(This was originally posted 2 weeks ago, but I needed to edit it slightly)
I still need to have a look at Carl Jung, Sir Sigmund Freud & Surrealism!
But first, a bit more research on dreams.

What happens when you fall asleep & dream?
'Your Dreams' - Ana Lora Garrard PG 12 &  13
When you 'fall asleep, 'fall' suggests that you release control & let go of limited of lingering thoughts during your waking hours.
"You stop believing that you are your body, which is perhaps one of the most limited thoughts of all. Tumbling freely through time & space, you open yourself to the truth of what is going on in your human/ spiritual existence".
Your soul speaks more clearly when sleeping → It talks to you about what you have been afraid to look at or have been unable to see while awake. Shows you how to solve problems by expanding your thoughts about who you are & what is possible.

Nightmares PG 36 & 37
Why do have nightmares?
Nightmares appear when we need healing,  when we resist change or stuck in a pattern ➡️ in a pattern of pretending that we are small, weak creatures. People who are confident in themselves & are powerful & strong are less likely to have nightmares & will have a better nights sleep. Nightmares are not exterior, but come from within - as out reflections and behaviors.
"scary dreams are a way that our souls use to grab our attention. They are high volume wake-up calls from our spirits that let us know it's time to listen". Nightmares contain empowering, life-affirming messages. If you open up to your nightmares &  accept them they will vanish. If you don't listen to your dream/nightmare, it may repeat or at least an element of said dream.