SargeMaximus

So, I have started analyzing my dreams with the help of the following two sections of a great site:

http://dreamanalysis.info/index.php/...is-principles/
http://dreamanalysis.info/index.php/...nalysis-guide/

And have begun posting them in the following topic right here on PerC:
The INFJ Dream Interpretation Thread!



I highly recommend dream analysis as it can be the most effective tool of self-discovery and bring about unity with all aspects of our personality.

___________________
I have highlighted the characters for easier analysis:

I was a police Detective. Me and my Partner (who I never saw but 'felt' was there, and talked to him as though he was) were partnered with another two officers who were regular Policemen. We eventually went to track down a Bounty Hunter who looked like a guy I used to work with named Tanner. The guy was maybe 5' tall and had long blond hair and a huge beard. He is also an alcoholic in real life. Anyhow, we went to the scene which was out in the middle of nowhere near some warehouses when my perception of the dream changed. I was now the Bounty Hunter.

So, as the Bounty Hunter, I was attempting to catch a Criminal who was around those warehouses. At some point I caught him but the police Detective (the one who I was at the beginning of the dream) came from around a corner and had the drop on me (the Bounty Hunter). He told me to remove my weapons and the moment was quite intense as I and he both considered shooting. But I (the Bounty Hunter) finally gave into the cops demands and dropped my hidden guns. I was about to drop the money that I had in my pocket but the Detective said no. So I slowly came out from behind the warehouse crate I was partially behind and said "so what should I do?" the Detective just came towards me and loosened his belt. I put my hands behind my back and the Detective arrested me by using the belt instead of handcuffs (much like an amateur would?).

Then the Detective's Partner (who I still could not see) came on the scene just as the other two Policemen rolled up in their car. They congratulated the Detective who gave me (the Bounty Hunter) to the Policemen to take back to the station.

The dream then switched back to the Detective point of view. It was as if he (the Detective) had seen the events from the Bounty Hunter's perspective. I told my Partner that I understood him (the Bounty Hunter).

We got into our car and drove back. Along the highway were three cars.

From closest to the ditch to closest to our car as we passed, they were in the following order:
my honda civic from real life, the bounty hunter's car right beside it, and right beside that was an old, burning pickup truck.

As we passed I looked back and the truck exploded into a huge fireball. Luckily, the Bounty Hunter's car took the brunt of the explosion and my civic was safe because it was behind it. I commented on that fact to my Partner.

We drove along the highway and I mentioned how I was unsure how to get my civic back. My Partner said that we'd get a rental and go back for it. "then what will we do with the rental?" I asked. Then, as I looked at my Partner (though I still could not see him) I laughed because we were both thinking the same thing. "We'll just throw it in the lake." we laughed. Then, the dream ended.

_________________--

Now, using the analysis criteria from here: Principles of Dream Analysis » Dream Analysis And here: How to analyse a dream » Dream Analysis

I'll attempt to interpret it :P But before reading this, if you wish to jot down your ideas, please do so now before my interpretation takes hold. I'd like to hear other perspectives that are not tainted by my own personal view point. Thank you much. :)

1. The beginning: I am a detective which I assume shows I am investigative. However, being a police detective perhaps means my investigative nature is for the purpose of judgement and/or locking up what I deem to be unlawful or criminal. Aspects of my own nature (such as the Bounty Hunter and Criminal) are under inspection and subject to arrest, the mind equivalent of repression I'd say.

2. Associations:

Detective: To me a detective is intellectual and intelligent. Much like Sherlock Holmes (from the books you crazy Robert Downey lovers!) a detective sees the world more and more clearly as more evidence is put forth. However, he then uses his own mind and morals to decide what is criminal and what is not. Basically, a detective is one who enforces himself upon others. This could be a heavy indication of my shadow's repression, though why the Detective was at the forefront (ego position) for most of the dream is a bit puzzling. Perhaps it is to show that I am governing myself, which is unhealthy because other aspects of who I am (the Bounty Hunter and Criminal) are being locked away. Conscious suppression of the unconscious.

Partner: The voice in my head. My conscience perhaps. I got the feeling that this particular character was much like Marshall from "Mr. Brooks". He was on my side and I looked to him when I was stuck for what to do in the case of how to get my car back. He may be the invisible hand or, perhaps, my unconscious mind. Notice how he was not present during the process of finding and arresting the criminals?

Policemen: The enforcers of my ideas or (going with the idea that present in the dream means present in action and vice versa), perhaps they are the guardians of my repressed aspects of myself? Morality? Could be. The interesting thing is, now that I think of it, I only ever saw the one policeman, but got a sense that there were two.

Criminal: The unruly aspect of myself. Anything I see as against the law. This could be society's law, or my own moral code.

Bounty Hunter: Represented by a man I did not respect in real life. A drunk (I don't drink) may indicate other addiction-like behavior, or perhaps that I indulge on my impulses far too much. It is interesting that the Bounty Hunter caught the Criminal because this may indicate layers of myself that govern other parts, yet they all go in the prison of repression once the job is done and the mess is cleaned up. Leaving the Detective to take the credit... but not be liable? I'm thinking plausible deniability here.
The Bounty Hunter also seems to protect the ego, which I believe was represented by the truck exploding next to the cars. The Bounty Hunter's car protected the Detective's because of where it was parked. This could indicate that these things are in place, or have been for a while.


***** It is interesting to note as well that the point of view in the dream switched to the Bounty Hunter which I assume means the ego was identified with, or became, that character when needed. Then, the Detective came and arrested the character, yet also mentioned to the Partner that he 'understood' the Bounty Hunter, perhaps he was there at one point? Could it be that this represents who I was and who I've become through such repression? Fascinating. I must mull on this more.


3. Trigger: I believe the trigger is easy to spot. I decided I was going to start dream analysis and so I had a dream that is much in line with my current study: the shadow and freeing ourselves from our repression.

4. The Mirror: I believe the dream shows me that I am 'cracking down' on myself, which is very interesting indeed as I am, but making sure that I am confronting my shadow. However, could it be that I am taking that task as a job or 'crusade' (see the 'Horse' poem I wrote for more on that btw) rather than as accepting those parts of myself? When accepting becomes a job, you are not truly accepting. Perhaps this is what was shown by the Detective arresting the Bounty Hunter and the shift in perspective. Yes I understand my other parts, but do not see them as me and still lock it up through repression.

5. Open Mind: Starting from scratch, I have no idea what this is referring to and, at this point, welcome outside help. I've done my work on it, now I ask for any ideas anyone had while reading the dream before reading my analysis.

6. Theme: Not that I remember previous dreams except one where I was playing Ghost Recon. As a soldier, it is said that "To dream that you are a worthy soldier, you will have literal fulfillment of ideals." (taken from: Soldiers Dreams: Dream Dictionary & Dream Interpretation and, if anyone knows a better dream dictionary please share) Perhaps the theme is my own self-discovery, but time will tell.