Truly linked dreams rarely if ever occur, although persons who spend a lot of time together sharing their thoughts and feeling might have similar dreams about the same subjects. These dreams only mean that the two individuals are interested in and care about the same things. Careful examination of the details of each dream generally reveals that they are not identical.

This only means that you and your friend tend to have the same interests and think about similar things, which is not at all unusual. Close examination of the dreams is sure to reveal that the dreams may be similar but they are not identical.

Dreams perform many tasks, including release of stress, rumination of problems, examination and exploration of deeply felt emotions, some of which are not available to or repressed by the conscious mind, role-play and practice of relationships and situations, and numerous other functions.

Dreams are about the dreamer. The dreams of each family member refer to each individual dreamer. Although the dreams might seem similar when told in conversation, careful examination probably would reveal significant differences.

Which is more important direct examination or cross examination and why?