For a really great interactive online chart exploring the different stages of sleep, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/sleep-memory.html  and click on “LAUNCH INTERACTIVE”.

What happens in your brain as you cycle through the various stages of sleep, and how does this activity affect learning and memory? See what scientists are learning about REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep and other phases, and explore recent research linking sleep—and sleep deprivation—to different types of memories.

Explore the stages of a good night’s sleep and the research linking sleep to memory.

(This is a private event for Bellevue Club members only, to book a dream workshop contact Mimi at 206-328-6464 or mimi@thedreamdetective.com)

Dreams are a fascinating source of information that can help us better understand our selves, our lives and our relationships.  There is a greater part of our minds that is working in mysterious ways while we sleep, and this can help us problem solve, form creative ideas, and even be a source of precognitive and telepathic information.  Many scientific discoveries and famous works of art have been conceived of in dreams.

In this workshop you will learn:

• How to remember your dreams
• Some of the brain science involved in dreaming
• How to ask for a dream regarding a specific topic
• Tips for working with and understanding your own dreams
• Some of the most common dreams and their meanings

Bring a dream if you have one you would like to share or ask about.  Participants can work privately on their own dreams (optional), or just observe the workshop. No sharing or dream recall is required.  Bring your questions and an open mind, and for more information in the mean time you can visit www.TheDreamDetective.com

“I dreamed I had sex with someone I’m not even attracted to!”

This is a common one, and can make for an awkward encounter next time you run into the person when you are awake! Even though they don’t know you had a hot dream about them, your feelings were so real in the dream you can’t help but feel embarrassed now.
The first thing to ask yourself when you have this dream is: What are the qualities this person represents to me that I am currently, or would like to be, embracing in myself?
This dream also usually has nothing to do with the actual person, but rather what they represent to you.  Sometimes the person is of the same gender, and we do not swing that way. This can create fear or confusion upon waking!  Rest assured that this does not mean you are suddenly

“What does it mean when I dream my partner cheated on me?”
The first reaction is usually to be mad or suspicious of your partner. But hold on! While again anything is possible – do your fact checking if you think they are literally having an affair – HOWEVER…This dream usually indicates that you are feeling cheated out of TIME with your partner.  So first ask yourself, has he/she taken up a new hobby? Working longer hours? Travelling without you? Anything that takes your partner away from you can feel like ‘the other man or woman’.  Even an illness, disease, or condition like depression can feel like something (translating to someone in the dream world) has taken away the closeness you previously shared.
Before jumping to the literal explanation, see if the metaphor fits.

One of the most common questions I hear goes something like this:  “I dreamed of my ex, does it mean I should get back together with them?”  Or, “Does it mean that they are thinking of me too?”
While I never rule out the mysterious and mystical ways of the dream world, and I do believe that anything is possible….The most common explanation is: This dream most likely has NOTHING to do with your ex.  It might, like I said, and do the fact checking with the other person should your heart pull you in that direction.
At the same time, keep in mind that what the dream is most likely bringing to your attention are the feelings you had in the dream, and your dreaming mind might be saying ‘hey, remember what this feels like? Wouldn’t it be nice to have again?’
Not all dreams of former loves come with pleasant feelings, however.  If the feelings are unpleasant or difficult, look at where in your life you might be currently experiencing those same challenges with another person. Perhaps you are responding to a new person in the same way you responded to the ex in the dream.  Or maybe they are behaving towards you in a way that the former partner did. These are some possible explanations to explore.

I will be the featured “Guest Expert” on Questionland.com Feb. 6-8, 2012.  Come visit!  If you have a dream, a question about dreams, or are just curious and would like to read the dreams of others, visit here: http://questionland.com/topics/dream-interpretation

(If you are reading this after the fact, you can still browse the archives – and should even still be able to post a dream as well!)

While many people may experience an upsetting but soon to pass case of sleep paralysis, others report an even more terrifying occurrence that happens while in this paralyzed state: the sensation of being visited by some kind of entity. Coined ‘Paralysis Attacks’ by David Hufford, Professor of Behavioral Science at Penn State University, these experiences are described by those who experience it as a visitation by an negative presence.  Hufford has done extensive research, and has been able to identify over 30 common elements to these attacks. The prevailing common denominators are:

• Waking up in bed and realizing one can’t move
• The person can move their eyes, but the body is paralyzed
• Hearing footsteps
• A figure enters the room (often described as dark, not human, intent to harm, some sort of presence but not sure what)
• Incredible sense of fear
• A feeling of weight or pressure upon the chest (sometimes other areas of the body, most commonly the chest)
• A sense that if the person just laid there, they would die.
• The experience feels very real, different than a normal dream or nightmare.

Accounts of this phenomenon are documented in art and literature as far back as we have historical records, and in fact, Hufford doesn’t know of any culture, anywhere, that doesn’t have a tradition describing it. Known by different names around the world: ‘The Old Hag’, ‘Popabawa’, ‘Demon’, ‘Witch’, or just a dark figure or shadow, the description of the experience is the same.

People in this state are able to accurately describe their environment, indicating a state of being awake, yet brain wave recordings taken during attacks show elements of both wakefulness and REM sleep. Victims are usually convinced they are awake and that this was not a dream. They are actually in a mixed state of consciousness between wakefulness and dreaming, also known as a hypnopompic state (when a person is falling asleep, as opposed to waking up, the same mixed state is known as the hypnogogic state).

It would be easy enough to attribute the whole description to a bad dream or nightmare; but that doesn’t explain why so many people – including many who have never heard of this phenomenon – report such similarities in their accounts. While there are variations in individual reports, the similarities cannot be ignored. In fact, the descriptions bear uncanny similarity to alien visitation reports, and Hufford believes these are actually cases of sleep paralysis attacks.

Science as of yet does not have a sufficient explanation for this baffling phenomenon, which does not reduce the suffering of those who experience this terrifying occurance. For more information, check out Hufford’s book: ‘The Terror That Comes In The Night’

http://www.amazon.com/Terror-That-Comes-Night-Experience-Centered/dp/081221305X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321738406&sr=8-1

Here is part two of the article by Christel Broederlow:

Empaths are often poets in motion. They are the born writers, singers, and artists with a high degree of creativity and imagination. They are known for many talents as their interests are varied, broad and continual, loving, loyal and humorous. They often have interests in many cultures and view them with a broad-minded perspective. They are mother, father, child, friend, nurse, caregiver, teacher, doctor, sales people… to psychic, clairvoyant, healer, etc. (That is not to say that any of these categories are all empaths.) The list is extensive and really unimportant. It is more important to notice that empaths are everywhere–in every culture and throughout the world.
Empaths Are Good Listeners
Empaths are often very affectionate in personality and expression, great listeners and counselors (and not just in the professional area). They will find themselves helping others and often putting their own needs aside to do so. In the same breath, they can be much the opposite. They may be quiet, withdrawn from the outside world, loners, depressed, neurotic, life’s daydreamers, or even narcissistic.

They are most often passionate towards nature and respect its bountiful beauty. One will often find empaths enjoying the outdoors, beaches, walking, etc. Empaths may find themselves continually drawn to nature as a form of release. It is the opportune place to recapture their senses and gain a sense of peace in the hectic lives they may live. The time to get away from it all and unwind with nature becomes essential to the empath. Animals are often dear to the heart of empaths, not as a power object, but as a natural love. It is not uncommon for empaths to have more than one pet in their homes.
Traits of an Empath
Empaths are often quiet and can take a while to handle a compliment for they’re more inclined to point out another’s positive attributes. They are highly expressive in all areas of emotional connection, and talk openly, and, at times, quite frankly in respect to themselves. They may have few problems talking about their feelings.

However, they can be the exact opposite: reclusive and apparently unresponsive at the best of times. They may even appear ignorant. Some are very good at blocking out others and that’s not always a bad thing, at least for the learning empath struggling with a barrage of emotions from others, as well as their own feelings.

Empaths have a tendency to openly feel what is outside of them more so than what is inside of them. This can cause empaths to ignore their own needs. In general an empath is non-violent, non-aggressive and leans more towards being the peacemaker. Any area filled with disharmony creates an uncomfortable feeling in an empath. If they find themselves in the middle of a confrontation, they will endeavor to settle the situation as quickly as possible, if not avoid it all together. If any harsh words are expressed in defending themselves, they will likely resent their lack of self-control, and have a preference to peacefully resolve the problem quickly.

Empaths are sensitive to TV, videos, movies, news and broadcasts. Violence or emotional dramas depicting shocking scenes of physical or emotional pain inflicted on adults, children or animals can bring an empath easily to tears. At times, they may feel physically ill or choke back the tears. Some empaths will struggle to comprehend any such cruelty, and will have grave difficulty in expressing themselves in the face of another’s ignorance, closed-mindedness and obvious lack of compassion. They simply cannot justify the suffering they feel and see.

People of all walks of life and animals are attracted to the warmth and genuine compassion of empaths. Regardless of whether others are aware of one being empathic, people are drawn to them as a metal object is to a magnet! They are like beacons of light.

Even complete strangers find it easy to talk to empaths about the most personal things, and before they know it, they have poured out their hearts and souls without intending to do so consciously. It is as though on a sub-conscious level that person knows instinctively that empaths would listen with compassionate understanding.

Here are the listeners of life. Empaths are often problem solvers, thinkers, and studiers of many things. As far as empaths are concerned, where a problem is, so too is the answer. They often will search until they find one–if only for peace of mind.

Written by Christel Broederlow Copyright (c) 2002 Christel Broederlow Shortened Version from The Empath Report 101

About this contributor: Christel Broederlow is a natural born empath and author of numerous articles about empathy through personal experience and continual research. Her Web site, The Empath Report, previously hosted at Geocities is no longer active.

To read the original article, go here:
http://healing.about.com/cs/empathic/a/uc_empathtraits_2.htm

Have you ever wondered what empathy truly is, or who is an empath? Here is a great article by Christel Broederlow, part 1 of 2:

Empathy is the ability to read and understand people and be in-tune with or resonate with others, voluntarily or involuntarily of one’s empath capacity.

Empaths have the ability to scan another’s psyche for thoughts and feelings or for past, present, and future life occurrences. Many empaths are unaware of how this actually works, and have long accepted that they were sensitive to others.

Empaths Sense Deep Emotions
Empathy is a feeling of another’s true emotions to a point where an empath can relate to that person by sensing true feelings that run deeper than those portrayed on the surface. People commonly put on a show of expression. This is a learned trait of hiding authentic expression in an increasingly demanding society.

An empath can sense the truth behind the cover and will act compassionately to help that person express him/herself, thus making them feel at ease and not so desperately alone.

Empaths experience empathy towards family, children, friends, close associates, complete strangers, pets, plants and inanimate objects. Empathy is not held by time or space. Thus, an empath can feel the emotions of people and things at a distance. Some are empathic towards animals (ie: The Horse Whisperer), to nature, to the planetary system, to mechanical devices or to buildings etc. Others will have a combination of the above.
Empaths Have Deep Sense of Knowing
Empaths are highly sensitive. This is the term commonly used in describing one’s abilities (sensitivity) to another’s emotions and feelings. Empaths have a deep sense of knowing that accompanies empathy and are often compassionate, considerate, and understanding of others.

There are also varying levels of strength in empaths which may be related to the individualís awareness of self, understanding of the powers of empathy, and/or the acceptance or non-acceptance of empathy by those associated with them, including family and peers. Generally, those who are empathic grow up with these tendencies and do not learn about them until later in life.
Empathy is Inherited
Empathy is genetic, inherent in our DNA, and passed from generation to generation. It is studied both by traditional science and alternative healing practitioners.

Empathy has both biological/genetic and spiritual aspects.

Empaths often possess the ability to sense others on many different levels. From their position in observing what another is saying, feeling and thinking, they come to understand another. They can become very proficient at reading another personís body language and/or study intently the eye movements. While this in itself is not empathy, it is a side-shoot that comes from being observant of others. In a sense, empaths have a complete communication package.
How Empathy Works
While there is much we don’t yet understand about how empathy works, we do have some information. Everything has an energetic vibration or frequency and an empath is able to sense these vibrations and recognize even the subtlest changes undetectable to the naked eye or the five senses.

Words of expression hold an energetic pattern that originates from the speaker. They have a specific meaning particular to the speaker. Behind that expression is a power or force-field, better known as energy. For example, hate often brings about an intense feeling that immediately accompanies the word. The word hate becomes strengthened with the speaker’s feeling. It is that person’s feelings (energy) that are picked up by empaths, whether the words are spoken, thought or just felt without verbal or bodily expression.

The original article can be found here:

  http://healing.about.com/cs/empathic/a/uc_empathtraits.htm