🌙 What My Conversation with Theresa Cheung Taught Me About the Spiritual Meaning of Dreams

I’ve had many powerful conversations on the Grief 2 Growth podcast, but every now and then, I sit down with someone who shifts my inner landscape. My recent interview with internationally bestselling author and dream expert Theresa Cheung did exactly that.Going into this conversation, I expected to learn a few new things about dream symbolism or the psychology of sleep. What I didn’t expect was to walk away with a deeper understanding of the spiritual meaning of dreams—and a deeper understanding of myself.As many of you know, loss changed the entire trajectory of my life. When you lose a child, you begin to search for meaning in every corner of experience. Dreams often become one of those corners—sometimes a refuge, sometimes a mystery, sometimes a source of painful longing. I’ve heard from countless listeners who’ve had vivid dream visits from their loved ones, including some that brought more comfort than any waking experience could.Talking with Theresa helped me see dreams not only as messages or symbols, but as living dialogues between our subconscious, our soul, and sometimes those in spirit. I want to share with you what stood out to me most—because I believe this conversation can help you understand your own dreams with more clarity, peace, and hope.🌟 We Sleep to Dream — and Why That Idea Mattered to MeTheresa opened our conversation with a statement that stopped me in my tracks:“We sleep in order to dream.”Not “dreams are part of sleep.”Not “dreams support sleep.”But we sleep so we can dream.Hearing it phrased that way reframed everything.Most of us think dreams are random disturbances in the night. Some think they’re psychological noise, or the brain sorting out daily experiences. I left that mindset long ago.Theresa doesn’t dismiss the science—but she believes dreams have a clear spiritual purpose. They show us what we’re ready to face, what we need to heal, and who we are becoming.From a grief perspective, this is profound. If dreams are intentional, then the ones that feel like guidance might actually be guidance. The ones that feel like connection might truly be connection.And the ones that hurt… might be invitations to grow.🪞 Dreams as Mirrors of the SoulOne of Theresa’s ideas that stayed with me is that dreams reflect our current state—not who we want to be, but who we are right now.When I look back at some of my more intense dreams since losing Shayna, I see this truth. Those dreams weren’t random. They were mirrors, revealing my fears, my hopes, and my transformation in ways I couldn’t yet name during the day.Theresa says our dreams hold up a snapshot of our inner world. They don’t flatter. They don’t sugarcoat. But they also don’t shame. They meet us exactly where we are.When I think of how many grievers have told me, “My dreams are so confusing,” or “I don’t like what I see in them,” I realize Theresa’s insight is something we all need:“Your dreams aren’t showing you what’s wrong with you. They’re showing you what’s asking to be healed.”That shift alone can make someone feel less afraid of their own mind.💛 When Dreams Become VisitsWe talked about something close to my heart: afterlife dream visits.So many listeners have asked, “Was that a real visit? Or was it just wishful thinking?”Theresa explained the difference with a level of clarity that I wish everyone could hear:* Dream visits feel peaceful, calm, and real.* The loved one appears healthy or glowing.* The message is simple, often a look, hug, or phrase.* You remember it vividly, sometimes for years.* There’s no fear. No chaos. No distortion.In contrast, symbolic or psychological dreams tend to be chaotic, confusing, or emotionally charged.I’ve long believed dream visits are legitimate forms of connection. Hearing Theresa describe the consistent patterns she’s seen over decades of research only strengthened that belief.If you’ve had a dream like this, you’re not imagining things. You’re not “just grieving.”You may have experienced a true moment of connection.🌑 Nightmares: The Tough-Love TeachersI’ll be honest: this part surprised me.Theresa believes nightmares are not punishments or signs that we’re failing spiritually. Instead, they’re urgent messages—a form of tough love.She compared them to a smoke alarm: loud, jarring, impossible to ignore. Not because something is trying to hurt us, but because something inside us is calling for attention.I thought about the dreams people describe in early grief. The recurring stress dreams. The overwhelming scenarios. The feelings of running, searching, or being trapped.Theresa says these nightmares are the psyche’s way of saying:“You’re overwhelmed. You’re hurting. Something needs your care.”This view removes the shame.It removes the fear.And it invites compassion for ourselves.🌀 Feeling Lost in Dreams—Why That Might Be a Good SignSomething else Theresa said struck me deeply:When you’re lost in a dream, it’s often because you’re in transition, not because something is wrong.Being lost doesn’t mean you’re failing.It means you’re searching.In grief, being lost becomes a familiar feeling. When dreams repeat that theme, they’re not mocking our confusion—they’re mirroring a spiritual journey in progress.Imagine what it would mean to see confusion not as chaos, but as transformation.If being lost in a dream is a sign that I’m transforming, that shifts everything. Being lost is my most common dream. I’m in an unfamiliar place, trying to get somewhere. But I don’t know where I’m going or when I’m supposed to be there.🌟 Lucid Dreaming and Rehearsing Our Future SelvesTheresa spoke beautifully about lucid dreams as rehearsals for our highest potential.In a lucid dream, we can:* practice courage* feel whole* experience reunion* step into the person we’re becomingI found this empowering. Many people in grief feel stuck between who they were and who they are now. Lucid dreams offer a space where the soul can try on the future before the mind is ready.This perspective transforms lucid dreaming from a novelty into a spiritual tool.You can improve your ability to lucid dream. I have. It’s a powerful feeling when you become lucid in your dream.📚 Nightborn — When Fiction Becomes a Spiritual ClassroomTheresa’s new novel Nightborn is more than entertainment. She designed it as a hidden guide to dream meaning disguised as a thriller.Fiction bypasses the analytical mind and communicates in symbols, just like dreams. It reaches us emotionally, intuitively, and personally. I’ve learned so much from movies. I don’t read fiction though. Maybe it’s time to change that.Theresa told me she wrote the book so readers would “learn dream wisdom without realizing they’re learning.”I admire that kind of creativity and intentionality.✨ How This Conversation Changed the Way I See DreamsBy the time we wrapped up, I realized Theresa had done more than teach me about dreams. She had reminded me of something I often tell others:Our inner world is alive.It is speaking to us.And we are never as disconnected as we think.This conversation made me more attentive to my own dreams. It made me more willing to listen. And it made me want to encourage you—yes, you reading this—to pay attention to your dreams tonight.You might discover:* a message from your subconscious* a nudge toward healing* a moment of guidance* or even a visit from someone you loveDreams don’t just entertain us.They accompany us.They teach us.They connect us to what we’ve lost—and what we’re becoming.🌙 Key Takeaways* Dreams have profound spiritual meaning and reflect your internal state.* Afterlife dream visits are peaceful, vivid, and deeply healing.* Nightmares are messages, not punishments.* Feeling lost in dreams often means you’re transitioning.* Lucid dreams can help you rehearse your future self.* Your dreams may be your most honest—and most loving—inner guide.💬 Join Me in the CommentsI want to hear from you:* Have you had a dream that felt like a visit?* What dream has stayed with you over the years?* Are there symbols you see again and again?* Did Theresa’s perspective make you rethink an old dream?Share your story with me. I read every comment. I reply to most.📨 Let’s Continue This Journey TogetherIf you haven’t joined the Substack chat yet, come be part of the Grief 2 Growth community.We reflect, support each other, and talk openly about the experiences many people keep private.👉 Join us at: If this article resonated with you, please:* ❤️ Comment* 💬 Join the chat* 🔁 Share this article* 🧡 Subscribe to support the work and stay connectedYour presence here matters.Your dreams matter.And you are never alone on this path. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit grief2growth.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit grief2growth.substack.com/subscribe