1.) Is any one here capable of remembering his/her dreams?
Yes, though not very often. If I wake up during the night (as I often do) I might remember the "current" dream and can sometimes return to it (willingly or no). The most recent fully realized and fully recalled dream from last week was being in a deeply comforting, safe home built into a mountainside. I was experiencing the safety and protection of this home and drinking in the natural elements of the mountain that had been incorporated into it - actually the building was overlaid into the mountain, well integrated into it.
2.) Does anyone believe that dreams - and the analysis/interpretation of dream - provide a "key" to solve any of life's problems? Can the analysis/interpretation of one's dreams be therapeutic?
Yes. Often dreams have provided me a symbolic way of perceiving aspects of my life and sometimes ways to approach situations. Usually in Jungian (archtypal) terms. They can give me insight into what is bugging me when it isn't clear, or provide desired experiences to help me feel whole. They seem to be a conversation between different parts of my mind (sub-conscious and conscious).
3.) Does anyone believe that dreams may "prophetic" in that they are portends of the future?
Only in that they can help piece together parts of a puzzle that do not make it to my conscious mind. This is the same as wakeful extrapolation rather than extra-ordinary prophecy.
4.) Has anyone had a dream and then wrote a story (fiction) about it?
Yes, short fiction. My own efforts have not been particularly successful, though. My more effective art comes during waking states.
5.) Does anyone particularly appreciate the paintings of the Spanish - Catalan painter, Salvador Dali?
I find them intellectually interesting, but not emotionally satisfying. I do understand it, connect with it, see parts of myself that seem to be similar to what might be inspiring him. I find some of his work to be pushing my comfort zone, but most of it just kinda leaves me cold.
6) Has anybody read the poetry of the surrealist poets/authors such as Andre Breton? What do you think of their practice known as "automatic writing"? For anybody who knows about Breton, maybe you will know about le cadavre exquis.
I think Gascoyne qualifies. I like his early work, and see some of my lyrics use a similar simile. I've not read Breton. I think mundane "automatic writing" may be a way to let the subconscious peak through a little bit, introducing that element of near-random connection that sometimes is clearly inspiration come through. I like the tendancy of these works to feel more revealed than created. I am not specifically familier with the surrealist's use of this, though.
7.) Most people here know about "Freddy" and the Nightmare On Elm Street series. One of the premises is that Freddy can enter people's dreams. One of the results is that this opens up all sorts of possibilities. After all, in dreams anthing can happen. Does anybody like this series.
As a rape-myth (violation of our sacred personal space), it becomes horrifyingly fascinating. The first Nightmare was poetic in many ways, and seemed to have something original to say within the confines of its genre. It brings to mind the superstition that not everything can happen in a dream: supposedly you cannot dream your own death (and wake to tell about it).
8) Has anybody read King's novel, Duma Key?
I've not read it, but am familier with the plot. It seems almost Clive Barker in some ways (whom I like a great deal). What do you like about it?
