Teacher

The teacher is the one with the knowledge, and to dream of one is to be tapping into the part of you that knows.

If the teacher is someone known to you, add the element of that person’s personal qualities to your interpretation.

The less you know of the teacher in a dream, the more you may be experiencing wisdom at an archetypal level. No matter how the teacher appears, consider that there may be something for you to learn. Learning occurs by accumulating small amounts of data that build upon each other. Teachers know what piece of information needs to be added next in order for learning to take place.

A figure of authority, the teacher is the one person at school who knows what the lesson plan is. Teachers have both the questions and the answers. Not only do they control what happens in the classroom, but they also know why things are ordered in a particular way. Each of our teachers presents us with the specific information needed to master a particular level of our functioning. Any teacher in a dream represents the part of you that understands this concept of step-by-step mastery and provides the mental environment in which learning occurs, or is blocked. There is great patience built into this process, even though many of your teachers in life may have lacked this quality. When a teacher appears in your dream, examine the person as a character aspect of yourself.

The teacher’s behavior toward you in the dream and your resulting feelings will offer insight as to how well your inner guidance system is operating and to what degree you are showing yourself patience with the pace of your growth.

A kindly teacher will result in a very different interpretation from one who is abusive or frightening.

1- For many people, a teacher is the first figure of authority they meet outside the family. That person has a profound effect on the child and the teacher is often dreamt about in later years. Teachers can also generate conflict if their expressed views are very different to those learnt by the child at home. This may be something which has to be resolved through dreams in later vears.

2- When we are looking for guidance, the Animus/Anima (see Introduction) can present itself in dreams as a teacher. Often the figure will be that of a headmaster or headmistress (someone who ‘knows better’).

3- A spiritual teacher usually appears either in dreams or in person when the individual is ready to progress. There is a saying ‘when the chela (pupil) is ready, the teacher will come’. Often, that teacher will not appear as a Wise Old Man (See Introduction) or woman, but as a person appropriate to the level of the dreamer’s understanding.

Vision: If a man dreams about a female teacher, it means he has a repressed, sadistic streak—the craving to physically punish, even brutalize others. Seeing a teacher is a warning about thoughdess and frivolous behavior. Talking with a teacher: it is not only the best but also right time to solve long neg-lected problems.

If you are the teacher, it means you think you know everything better than anybody else and have a tendency to lecture other people.

See Exam, Test.

Depth Psychology: The teacher is usually your inner guide who is standing by with helpful advice.

The teacher reminds you that life is a continuous test and challenge.

The dream is also addressing your self-doubt, challenging you to trust yourself.

See Steering Wheel.