The Wisdom of Dreams in Native American Cultures
- Lorraine
- Mar 12
- 5 min read
There are moments in life when all that remains to us are our dreams. I remember my isolation diets, where silence and solitude were my only companions. No books to distract the mind, no human interactions to structure the day, no activities to fill the void. Just me, nature, the Spirits, and my dreams.
In this stripped-back space, dreams took on a new dimension. They became teachers, relentless guides reflecting my inner state with brutal precision. How many times have I woken up with a heavy heart, shaken by a dream that showed me I had failed an invisible trial? Or a dream revealing that my diet had deteriorated?
It is hard to imagine, in our daily lives full of obligations and distractions, that a simple dream can influence an entire day, that it can provide direction, color, and a teaching to every moment that follows. Yet, in many indigenous traditions, dreams are much more than a mere nocturnal wandering of the mind.
Among the Hopis, for example, dreaming is a way of existing, a gateway to the Great Mystery. Where, in our Western culture, we sometimes associate dreams with illusion or inattention – “He’s always daydreaming,” “He dreams too much” – the Hopis see dreams as a sacred language, a dialogue with the invisible.
Today, I’d like to invite you to discover this other way of seeing dreams. A way in which they are no longer just stories we forget upon waking, but threads woven into the vast web of the universe.
The Wisdom of Dreams Among the Hopis
Dreaming is imagination. When you imagine something, you dream it forward. So, when you fall asleep at night, you dream, but these dreams come from your imagination. Your mind remembers things and shows them to you symbolically. Every time you close your eyes and look within, you are diving into a dream in the making.
What if you used this ability right now? Let your imagination guide you toward what calls you, toward what you wish to see bloom in your life.
Close your eyes. Imagine yourself in this new job: how do you feel? What is the environment around you? Visualize the faces of your colleagues, the exchanges you have with them. Imagine yourself in a new place to live: what does it look like? What is the atmosphere? See the details, feel the emotions that pass through you. Every thought, every inner image is a seed of your future reality.
This is a dream, and when we imagine things, we move our dream forward. We make them real. Dreams travel between our imagination and our physical world, taking shape in our reality.
In one of the stories from the teachings of the 13 Grandmothers, snowflakes are the symbols of these dreams incarnated in the fabric of the world.
“I call myself the Ice Web. When Grandmother Spider wove the web of creation, she made the snowflakes in the image of this web of life, so that everyone would remember their connection. It is through this connection that dreams can travel from the Dreamtime to the earth, taking form as lived experiences.”
Excerpt from a story of the 13 Grandmothers
The Wisdom of Dreams, a Spiritual Language
Native American peoples give a central place to dreams. Dreams can announce events, guide decisions, warn of danger, or bring healing. They are often interpreted by elders or shamans who can decode their symbolic language. In some tribes, it is common for young adults to embark on a vision quest, a spiritual retreat during which they await a dream or vision that will reveal their life path.
Thus, the wisdom of dreams does not lie in a mere nocturnal meandering, but in sacred threads woven into the fabric of our existence, connecting the visible and the invisible, the inner and the outer, the past and the future.
Dreams and the Vision Quest
The vision quest is a common practice among several Native American nations. During this solitary retreat, which can last several days without food or water, the seeker of vision hopes to receive a dream or vision that will guide their life.
These dreams may contain powerful symbols: a totem animal appearing in a dream may become a spiritual guide. A mountain, river, or fire may represent a transformation, a deep teaching.
Dreams and the Vision Quest
The vision quest is a common practice among several Native American nations. During this solitary retreat, which can last several days without food or water, the seeker of vision hopes to receive a dream or vision that will guide their life.
These dreams may contain powerful symbols: a totem animal appearing in a dream may become a spiritual guide. A mountain, river, or fire may represent a transformation, a deep teaching.
The Spirits of Ancestors and Totem Animals
In Native American tradition, dreams are also a way for ancestors to transmit their wisdom. They come to teach, warn of danger, or encourage a decision. Likewise, the spirits of animals may appear in dreams to offer their medicine: the wolf for guidance, the bear for introspection, the eagle for elevated vision.
Indigenous peoples know that these messages must be listened to carefully. They take the time, upon waking, to note them, share them with elders or shamans, and meditate on them to extract the wisdom.
The Dream, a Bridge Between Worlds
In the medicine wheel, dreams are often associated with the East, the direction of vision, clarity, and renewal. It is a space where the visible and invisible worlds meet, allowing humans to communicate with the sacred. Some shamans practice “active dreaming,” a state where they travel to other dimensions to bring teachings back to their people.
Integrating the Wisdom of Dreams Into Our Lives
Native American teachings invite us to honor our dreams and give them a place in our daily lives. To do so, we can adopt some practices inspired by these traditions:
- Keep a dream journal to observe recurring themes and hidden messages.
- Ask for a dream before falling asleep by setting a clear intention.
- Share your dreams with trusted people to receive new perspectives.
- Take concrete action inspired by a meaningful dream (artistic creation, offering to nature, spiritual journey).
Letting Yourself Be Guided by the Wisdom of Dreams
At their deepest essence, dreams remind us that we are in constant dialogue with the invisible. They weave bridges between our world and the world of spirits, between our conscious and unconscious minds, as well as with ancestral wisdoms. When we learn to listen to these nocturnal messages, we discover a new way of inhabiting our reality, with more clarity and meaning.
I encourage you to take the time to explore the visions within you, to welcome the symbols and messages that are transmitted to you, and to honor this intimate connection between your deep self and the Creator.
To deepen this relationship with subtle worlds, I invite you to explore the Hopi teachings, which carry precious ancestral wisdom. You can also book a drum healing session, a powerful practice to ground yourself in the energy of the Earth and reconnect with your deep essence.
Don’t forget to check out the workshops I offer at Yoga With You, where we will explore these practices together in a nurturing and inspiring environment. Discover these opportunities and join our community to journey toward a life full of deep connection with oneself and with nature.
May your dream journey guide you to profound revelations and a renewed connection with the invisible world.
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