Dreamwork can be a powerful means of healing and making the unconscious, conscious.
The steps to uncover, explore and process your dreams is actually quite easy, even for those of you that don’t typically remember your dreams. You might be amazed at what you learn about yourself and how healing it can be. Follow the steps below and see what unfolds:
Prepare.
Always have a pen and a dream journal by your bedside, so you are ready!
Invite a dream.
Before bedtime, set an intention to remember your dreams. Some might suggest that you assert a statement such as, “tonight I will remember my dream.” I tend to suggest inviting a dream, asking your unconscious or your highest self to help you remember your dream. I would experiment with both, and see which approach is right for you and which helps you manifest dream images the most.
Write it down.
Even if you just have a flash, a snippet or a body sensation, you can work with it. Write it down, including the moods or emotions you recall when you were in the dream or when you awaken. Anything that represents what you experienced will help, even if you don’t have images.
For those who have what I call “marathon dreams”, I might focus on the section that stands out the most to you or has the most charge. Try to stay in as much of the dream state as possible when writing in the morning. Do this before looking at your phone or getting pulled into the activities of the day. Note: if you don’t have time in the morning, just jot a few key concepts that will hopefully jog your memory and later you can come back to explore further.
Let it evolve.
When the time comes to write out as much detail as you can recall, let the pen flow and see what evolves. Feel free to add to the dream if you are inclined to do so. Get out colored pencils or markers or paints. Re-create a strong image from the dream, see what comes as you do so. Very likely you will get some new insights.
Look for themes, symbols and the like.
After writing out what you recall in the dream, I tend to create a section in my dream journal for symbols, themes, archetypes, “day residue” or patterns. This helps me step back from my recall and see how these images may reveal or uncover what might be happening in my waking life. This takes some distance and perspective. Following Jeremy Taylors approach of dream work, I might look at all the different symbols, people, objects or emotions from the dream and ask myself --- “if I were (X) in the dream, what would that mean?” to try to shift and see the dream from many perspectives. This often helps me uncover what I might not have recognized as significant for me to consider or feel.
Please know, only the dreamer could know the true meaning of their dream. No book on symbols, archetypes or dream definitions can tell you what the dream truly means to you, only you can know your truth. Feel free to refer to those books if you like, but only for reference or gentle suggestions for you to consider.
Of course, I believe that processing dreams in groups is the most powerful. This is best with people who really know you-- your history, wounds and all. This invites a wealth of insight and “a-ha” moments to uncover a wealth of meaning that could represent great healing for you. Having safety, clear ground rules, structure and a solid facilitator is key to the success of group work.
Learn more.
You might read about Carl Jung’s work on dreams, or one of several of Jeremy Taylor’s books on dreams. You could research or look into key archetypes, read the Hero’s Journey or Women Who Run with the Wolves, Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home or none of the above.
Perhaps just be open to your dream life, even if you aren’ t someone who typically remembers your dreams to invite creativity, beauty, inspiration and healing that can come forth from your dreams.
Comments