Eventually, everyone experiences the loss of someone dear to them; it’s an unfortunate reality of life. However, the impact of losing certain loved ones can be more profound than we ever anticipated.
Have you ever found yourself dreaming about someone who has passed away? The significance of their presence in your dreams might be something you haven’t considered before…
Continue reading to discover more about this topic.
Grieving the loss of a loved one is incredibly challenging, and each person navigates their sorrow in their own way. Some may cry openly, while others might choose to withdraw and remain quiet.
Some individuals prefer to sidestep the topic entirely or appear unaffected on the surface. Yet, a common experience among many is dreaming of those who have died. Our subconscious mind governs our dreams, and if you’ve encountered a deceased person in your dreams, it could hold special meaning.
So, do dreams serve as messages from those who have passed on?
Patrick McNamara, an associate professor of neurology and psychiatry at Boston University, refers to dreams involving deceased individuals as visitation dreams. This term suggests that the departed are visiting you in your dreams, as McNamara describes: “dreams of the bereaved where the dead appear to the bereaved in dreams and look to be very much alive.”
At 67, McNamara actively shares his insights on dreams through his blog, Dream Catcher, on Psychology Today. He has frequently discussed his research and perspectives on dreams and their significance. According to him, visitation dreams often serve a practical purpose.
They assist you in processing your grief, loss, and sadness.
In one of his blog entries, he recounts a visitation dream he experienced after the passing of his parents. This dream led him to advocate for the idea that such dreams may indicate the existence of life after death.
If someone like me, who approaches dreams with a skeptical scientific mindset, can’t shake the feeling that I just connected with my deceased parents, imagine how much stronger that belief must be for someone who views dreams with less skepticism, McNamara observes.
Patrick McNamara is not alone in his fascination with these dreams; numerous studies have explored this intriguing phenomenon.
In 2014, the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care published research that looked into the effects of grief dreams. The findings indicated that “dreams of the deceased are common, can hold significant meaning, and aid in the healing process following a loss.”
The dreams often featured themes such as “reminiscences of past experiences, the deceased appearing healthy and free from illness, memories related to their illness or passing, visions of the deceased in a peaceful afterlife, and messages being communicated from the deceased.”
In 2016, a group of Canadian researchers conducted a study involving 76 bereaved middle-aged individuals. The results showed that 67.1% of participants felt that their dreams of the deceased reinforced their belief in an afterlife. Approximately 70% described these dreams as “visitations,” and 71% reported that such dreams helped them feel a stronger connection to their loved ones.
Psychologist Jennifer E. Shorter from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, CA, has also investigated the relationship between our brains and our dreams.
In her study titled “Visitation Dreams in Grieving Individuals: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Relationship Between Dreams and the Grieving,” she notes that the exact number of people experiencing visitation dreams remains unknown.
These dreams can occur shortly after a person’s passing or even long afterward. Her research identifies four key characteristics that define a visitation dream.
- In visitation dreams, the individuals you encounter often appear as they did in life, typically looking healthier or younger.
- Those who have passed away frequently convey messages about their current state, often reassuring you that they are doing well.
- The communication in these dreams tends to feel more telepathic rather than just a physical presence.
- These dreams usually have a serene and organized quality, creating a sense of harmony.
Have you ever experienced a dream featuring a loved one who has passed away? What significance did it hold for you? We invite you to share your story in the comments below, and if you believe that dreams carry meaning, please share this article on Facebook!
