Customer Reviews

Dream Language: Self-understanding Through Imagery and Color

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Dream Language is really a gem among dreamwork and dream science books, combining empirical science and the art of contemporary interpretation.

Typically I find most books on dreams will focus on the science without any relation to what makes a dream meaningful to me, or they focus on a dream interpretation technique without ever saying what the technique is based on.

Robert Hoss finally puts the two together.

I deeply appreciated the easy-to-understand explanations of complex brain science and the way Hoss shows how these studies are relevant to how and why we dream. I have never seen anywhere a book that pulls together the research on color, vision and dream imagery. Hoss goes on to use this research and neurobiology to develop a clear explanation of dreams, without explaining them away. This research then forms a ground for an emotional language that be read in our dreams.

The whole notion that limbic system assigns feelings to sensory input is fascinating in itself, and could be it's own stand along book. Hoss' research goes further to look at how specific colors are assigned, and how these colors show up in dreams. That these colors are produced by a different part of the brain than other imagery should be an eye-opener to dreamworkers and others interpreting the meaning of dreams. As Carl Jung and other deeply symbolic dreamwork believed, these colors modulate the dream and provide a doorway into a deeper and more profound relationship with the self and others. Also, our responses to these colors are something we all share as human beings. To some degree they are universal, though personal and cultural influences are acknowledged.

Dream Language is not, however, a dream dictionary where one can simple look up the colors and images in one's dreams to get the meaning. Hoss understands and provides
solid dreamwork in the book, involving understanding the dream in context with one's waking life, and allowing the dream to reveal underlying emotions, conflicts and beliefs in a safe manner. Several approaches and suggested procedures for both individual and group dreamwork are included.

It is really great to find a way to read the language of a dream that is based on real research and years of practiced dreamwork.

- Richard Wilkerson
Editor, Electric Dreams

Bob Hoss has captured a methodology that personalizes dream interpretation. By answering just a few questions about your dream, he has the reader do their own interpretation-- no more "one size fits all" for dream works. This book is a must if you are serious in interpreting your dreams. I have read numerous books on dreams, but this is by far the best and most personlized Dream Language. The approach is easy, and will benefit you in your daily life if you use it.

Bob Hoss has shared his experience and knowledge in the world of dreams and offers the reader an introduction to dreams in a personal and professional way. The book is an intriguing and instructive guide, offering many exercises to uncover the meaning of dreams.
Hoss is an expert in color in dreams and shares insightful and helpful information with us re: that area of dream study.
I liked it so much that I now require my students to read it as part of their course of study. The students enjoyed their journey through the book, as well, and recommended it for the next class of students.
J. Lasley, Director
Institute for Dream Studies

Useful and insightful. This is one of the first books that gives a simple step by step method for self-interpretation of dreams. It describes how sybols, colors, and characters in dreams interact to form the story of your inner-emotions and conflicts. Robert Hoss teaches the 6 questions to breaking down each element of your dreams, and helps you rapidly uncover the underlying story.

There were parts of this book that were interesting or useful, but I felt like the tone was often sort of condescending. The flow of new information was very slow and so I eventually got bored. I also didn't feel like the book went very deeply into looking at color, which is what the book is supposed to be about. This book did not live up to my expectations.