Dream meaning
Encountering God
The short answer
Dreaming of meeting God in some form usually reflects big questions about meaning, guidance or judgement. It can bring awe or comfort, and it often comes in moments of crisis or turning points, whatever your beliefs.
11.2% of people in the study had had this dream. No. 49 of the 55 typical dreams · Nielsen et al., 2003
What does a dream about “Encountering God” mean?
What psychologists say
Researchers added religious themes to the Typical Dreams Questionnaire. Under the continuity hypothesis, these dreams link to faith, upbringing and life events that raise questions of meaning. Their emotional effect is often strong and lasting.
Nielsen et al., 2003; Schredl & Hofmann, 2003
The Jungian reading
Jung saw images of God in dreams as images of the Self, the wholeness of the psyche. Such dreams can mark profound shifts in how a person understands their life.
Jung, 1964
In history and folklore
Dreams of divine encounter are central to religious history, from Jacob to the Magi and many saints. Folk tradition took them as blessings or calls.
How common is this dream?
11.2% of people in the study had had this dream. From a survey of 1,181 first-year university students in three Canadian cities. No. 49 of the 55 typical dreams.
Common versions of this dream
What if God speaks to me?
Words heard often reflect what you most need to hear.
What if I don't believe in God?
These dreams happen to non-believers too and may reflect a search for meaning.
What if God is angry?
Anger can match guilt or harsh self-judgement.
Had this dream? Tell it to Oneiros.
Oneiros reads your own dream, not a dictionary entry: what it was about, how it felt and what it may mean for you, and it notices when it comes back.
Oneiros offers reflective readings for self-discovery and entertainment. It is not a medical or psychological service.
Sources
- Nielsen, T. A., Zadra, A. L., Simard, V., Saucier, S., Stenstrom, P., Smith, C., & Kuiken, D. (2003). The typical dreams of Canadian university students. Dreaming, 13(4), 211–235. doi:10.1023/B:DREM.0000003144.40929.0b
- Schredl, M., & Hofmann, F. (2003). Continuity between waking activities and dream activities. Consciousness and Cognition, 12(2), 298–308. doi:10.1016/S1053-8100(02)00072-7
- Jung, C. G. (Ed.) (1964). Man and His Symbols. Aldus Books.