thank you for this reply!

i’ve heard some harrowing stories of sleep paralysis, and this bit you describe is new to me. being conscious of what and why the mind is doing what it does seems like an important frame to consider.

will definitely try the free association on elements of the dream

and what you say about the dream being you trying to understand you… i was marveling at how stable one’s own sense of self is in dreams when everything else is up for grabs, so to speak. like i’m not showing up as an animal or another person as far as i know

enjoy the xtrainer