I don't remember how it started. I just remember dreaming that I was having sex with a man, and as I watched us, it was like an out-of-body experience. I could see both of us as spirits separate from the bodies. I could feel everything my body felt but I could see us as spiritual beings too. In the groin area, where our bodies connected, I noticed that the "spirit" was one solid ball of energy.

When we finished and separated the ball of energy split equally in half and it felt like half of my "self" went with him. The man turned into a guy that lives a couple of doors down that I had never paid any attention to in the past.

Now, every time I see him it feels like I am looking at the male counterpart of my spiritual being. Am I taking the dream too seriously?

We were at a party one night (in reality, about eight months later), and were laughing over some jokes out of a calendar. Some of the others just didn't "get" them. One person accused us of being "wired the same." Our temperaments are very similar. I keep wanting to adopt him for a big brother, but he is attractive physically too. I can't believe I never noticed him before. What do you think the dream meant?

—Teresa, age 39, divorced, Wyoming, USA

Hi Teresa—

I know a lot of people -- men and women alike -- who would like the recipe for that dream! It sounds pretty out of this world!

Your dream is a great example of an "unconscious awareness" gaining consciousness through the vehicle of a dream. In other words, I think you noticed a long time ago that this former stranger down the hall was unusual, but it took an extraordinary dream to bring your attraction into focus.

Why did it take so long? Perhaps you were simply busy or preoccupied the times before when you saw him. Maybe you weren't in that loving frame of mind. But just because your conscious brain was asleep, it doesn't mean that the rest of your mind (that's right -- your subconscious) was also on vacation! On the contrary: Your subconscious, as usual, was wide awake and taking notes. It even penned you an urgent letter and mailed it to you Dream Express. "Pssst! Take a look at the guy down the hall again! He's great!"

What's the message? I think you've discovered a friend with whom you can share a lot of depth. I'd go back for several more looks. And if friendship leads to love, I think you can count on fireworks!