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Your Dreams
Did you know that your mind keeps working even in your sleep? This is why it is so important to get fears out of mind before sleep. We can also learn about ourselves through our dreams. Bringing your
dreams to your therapist takes your therapy to new depths. But don't expect your therapist to "interpret" your dreams. Expect to weave the dreams into your understanding.
Every dream has meaning and value.
Our dreams offer us colorful, imaginative stories about our fears, hopes, conflicts and strengths. Sometimes they provide answers from the deepest wisdom of
the inner self. Often they challenge us with questions framed in a mysterious symbolic fashion.
Are only the most striking and memorable dreams important? Must we passively accept the interpretation of "experts"?
Through keeping a Dream Journal, we become experts on our own dreams.
Keeping a journal first requires that you remember your dreams. Many people claim that they never dream. Actually most of
us dream 90-12 minutes per night, spread over several cycles. If you notice rapid eye movements (REM) in someone who is sleeping, you are seeing one of these dream cycles in action. While sometimes REM sleep is decreased by
alcohol, prescription drugs or illness, most of us can improve our dream recall.
You can improve your dream recall using simple techniques.
At bedtime, remind yourself to recall your dreams.
Get enough sleep to wake up naturally without an alarm.
Exercise and eat a healthy diet with plenty of B vitamins and zinc.
Don't jump out of bed. Relax and allow your mind to drift over images and thoughts.
Record the entire dream immediately without starting to interpret or edit.
Record daily events to provide a context.
Do not turn to a dream dictionary. Your symbolism is unique to you. One person's "bluebird of happiness" is another person's bluebird of misery".
Pay particular attention to recurring dreams and themes. They are trying to tell you something about unfinished business.
Now go back over the dream in detail.
Give it a title.
Draw a scene to help yourself remember the visual qualities.
Pay attention to the theme(s) expressed.
Record the emotional content. Does it relate to emotions in your daily life?
Record your associations to elements of the dream.
Does the dream suggest action in your waking life? Warn of danger? Indicate obvious or creative solutions
Read the dream out loud to a friend for another viewpoint. Keep ownership. It's your dream. Get yourself a good book
on dreams, NOT a dream dictionary. If you have friends interested in dream work, start a group.
Book and Audio-tape Suggestions
Dreams are Letters from the Soul: Discover the Connection Between YourDreams and Your Spiritual Life by Connie Kaplan
Our Dreaming Mind by Robert Van De Castle
The Art of Dreaming: A Creativity Toolbox for Dreamwork by Jill Mellick, Ph.D. and Marion Woodman
Dream Gates: A Journey into Active Dreaming (six audio tapes) by Robert Moss
Dream Work in Psychotherapy and Self-Change by Alvin Mahrer
The Mother-To-Be Dream Book: Understanding the Dreams of Pregnancy by Raina Paris
Dream Work: Techniques for Discovering the Creative Power in Dreams by Jeremy Taylor
The Practice of Dream Healing: Bringing Ancient Greek Mysteries into Modern Medicine by Edward Tick, Ph.D.
Dreaming With the Wheel: How to Interpret and Work With Your Dreams Using the Medicine Wheel by
Sun Bear, et. Al.
Practical Dreaming: Awakening the Power of Dreams in Your Life by Lillie Weiss, Ph.D.
Tibetan Dream Yoga: A Complete System for Becoming Conscious in Your Dreams by Lama Surya Das
(audio CD)
The Natural Artistry of Dreams: Creative Ways to Bring the Wisdom of Dreams to Waking Life by Jill Mellick and Marion Woodman
Making Herbal Dream Pillows: Secret Blends for Pleasant Dreams (The Spirit of Aromatherapy) by
Jin Long
To locate Dr. Kasper http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/behhealth/facilities/clinics.asp?ID=31 or for therapists in your area www.AuroraHealthCare.org
There is an interesting Australian site at http://pages.ivillage.com/eaglewolf3/
The International Association for the Study of Dreams is at: http://www.asdreams.org/index.htm
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