c) Learn the life situaton in which the dream appeared
A third "technique" has to do with asking for the context or life situation in which the dream appeared. I associate this with the sensation function. Here it is important to encourage the dreamer to also make notes about the events and issues surrounding the time of the dream when he or she is recording the dream. I used to recommend asking only about the events on the day or so preceding the dream, and this is still very important. But I have come to the conclusion that events on the day or days following the dream can also be important for understanding what appears in the dream as well. Dreams not only digest, as it were, the preceding events and feelings; they also often represent an effort towards preparing us for what is to come.
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