{"id":303,"date":"2013-05-13T07:20:47","date_gmt":"2013-05-13T13:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/itsallinyourdreams\/?p=303"},"modified":"2013-05-08T13:24:37","modified_gmt":"2013-05-08T19:24:37","slug":"listening-is-the-oldest-and-perhaps-the-most-powerful-tool-of-healing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/itsallinyourdreams\/2013\/05\/listening-is-the-oldest-and-perhaps-the-most-powerful-tool-of-healing\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening is the oldest and perhaps the most powerful tool of healing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Listening is the oldest and perhaps the most powerful tool of healing. When we listen, we offer with our attention an opportunity for wholeness. Our listening creates sanctuary for the homeless parts within the other person.<\/em><\/p>\n

~Rachel Naomi Remen, M. D.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When someone shares their dream with you they stand naked before you (think X-Ray Machine level naked!) Their soul is exposed and the most vulnerable, fragile, brilliant, and dare I say genius aspect of them is truly laying face up on the operating table. The offering of dream feedback should not to be done cavalierly. With reverence, respect, humility, and surgical precision, listen and share with a true intent to empower the dreamer.<\/p>\n

In fact, Dreamwork is all about empowerment, in the truest sense of the word. It is of extreme importance that the dreamer knows they are the ultimate authority of their dream and its interpretation. No one else but the dreamer themselves has the right to tell them definitively what their dream means.<\/p>\n

For those of us who have ears to hear, our role is to provide a safe space for the dreamer to share their dream report. Once the dream is shared, our role is to provide feedback and reflection to support the dreamer in having their own aha <\/em>moment.<\/em> To do this, become as receptive to hearing and listening to the dream with your whole body\u2026as if the dream was your very own.<\/p>\n

If it were my dream:<\/strong>\u00a0 When it comes to offering feedback, if you preface your response with, \u201cIf it were my dream\u2026\u201d you aren\u2019t pointing an authoritative finger at someone, but you are revealing your own associations, hunches, and insights. For example, here\u2019s my response to a dream someone shared with me about an eagle that made direct eye contact with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it were my dream I might see the eagle as a message to keep my attention on a higher plane; to acclimate to a higher vantage point, so when it\u2019s time for you to come down to earth, I could do so with clarity, precision, efficiency, and intent. The eye contact suggests there is an important part of my \u201ceye\u201d (I-dentity) being revealed. How does that feel? What does that bring up for you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

She responded with an aha<\/em> light in her eyes and a strong a series of head nods.<\/p>\n