The primary purpose of this research was to explore how the content, dynamics and experience of dreams change with increased attention to dreaming. We were also interested in the way dream content is influenced by a personʼs everyday life circumstances and theoretical concepts about dreams. The purpose of the study was qualitative understanding of phenomenon through the eyes of those who experienced it. Therefore a multiple (comparative) phenomenological case study was chosen. The research employed eight participants who explored their dreams by keeping dream diaries for four months; in the second half of this interval they were also actively involved in their dreams. They were divided into three groups, according to the interpretational scheme presented to them. Dream content and transcribed phenomenological interviews were analysed. The results confirm Friedmanʼs hypothesis about 'dialogue with dreams', i.e. the existence of a two-way exchange between dreams and waking life. Dreams of our participants changed according to their expectations and theoretical concepts. Participants also reported changing their thoughts and actions according to their dreams. Paying attention to dreams changed the intensity and type of dreams, as well as dreamsʼ importance to the dreamer. Among other things, the results have shown that the portion of existential and transcendental dreams has risen and the portion of mundane dreams decreased.
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