How Dreams Drive the Human Adventure

By Robert Moss

We are a culture who dreams quietly and in secret. We have all experienced “big” dreams; a dream that changed us in some way, yet we quietly move through life in doubt – believing that our dreams are “only dreams” and that we need to shake off that feeling that some mysterious force is trying to connect with us.

I have always been a dreamer. I started keeping a dream journal when I was 15 years old and when I was 19 years old I had a precognitive dream that changed my life. Yet even through the years of dreaming I have still had my doubts. Then one day, through a synchronistic event, I was introduced to Robert Moss through his book, “Conscious Dreaming.” Not only did I find validation for my dreaming, but also the much needed support and encouragement that I’d been looking for!

“We cannot grasp the true nature and causes of events unless we study the “inner side” of history, which involves the workings of coincidence as well as dreams and imagination. Inner and outer causes are always at play together in the world.” From the book – page 74.

In his latest book, The Secret History of Dreaming, Robert takes us down the historical pathway of dreaming. He shows us that throughout time (from the first recorded dream in Sumer nearly 5,000 years ago) dreams have been an important part of every culture; they have been valued and honored.

He talks about how dreams influenced Emperor Constantine and the shaping of Christianity, how the dreams of Muhammad brought Islam into being, and how dreams and dream interpretation have been important to these religions.

He talks about how dreams shaped the war between the French and English, and how the Spanish had a talented dream “spy” who provided them with valuable inside information during their war in the late 1500s.

Robert takes us into the dreaming lives of several other historical figures, including, but not limited to, Harriet Tubman, Mark Twain, Carl Jung, Wolfgang Pauli, and Joan of Arc.

He shares how dreams have also been valuable to writers, both past and present, and how dreams have influenced the musical talents of many gifted performers, including Paul McCartney and Bono of U2.

The book itself is beautifully laid out. And as always, his writing is clear and easy to read. I could see throughout the book his passion for sharing what he knows about dreams, and he takes it seriously. Robert has really (REALLY) done his research! At 328 pages, 43 pages are notes and the bibliography. There is nothing fluffy about this book – it’s filled with facts!

Robert gives us a view into history “in which dreaming is central to everything.” (page 74.) It’s important for us to know that our dreams are valuable, and whether we believe it or not, they have played a significant part in both our personal and collective history. The Secret History of Dreaming does the one thing that no other dream book (that I know of) has ever been able to do, and that’s give the historical account of the importance of dreams and dreaming. With this gift we are given the freedom to dream without limitation; we can dream from our soul and unite with that mysterious force that lives within us all.