It seems as if the majority of people that have posted here use some meens of violence.
I would go the opposite route. Confront the dream character. Ask him, her or it what it wants from you. Be nice to it.
..........Your subconcious puts these obstacles in your way for a reason. I don't think the answer it is looking for is to get shot or beheaded. You have to use your mind to overcome these obstacles in order to move foward.