let’s do dream work

Dreams have played a major role in my spiritual journey. I have been working with dreams… mine and other’s… for over 25 years now. These are the three major contributions of dreams to my life:

1. self-awareness: Dreams are the language of the unconscious. Our “self” is rather like an iceberg: 10% above water (the conscious) and 90% below (the unconscious). We are only aware of that which is conscious. That which is unconscious is either completely unknown to us or at least a complete mystery. The language our unconscious uses is symbolic. This language, when analyzed and understood, can lead to the integration of that part of ourselves into our conscious self, which leads to a greater maturity. Jung called this “individuation”. (I say “symbolic language” because dream analysis isn’t as easy as just looking up the symbols in a dictionary. The entire language must be analyzed.)
2. quality of life: Dreams have often given me incredible clarity about certain issues… about myself, others, or situations. They have also helped me make significant decisions with wisdom and confidence. Sometimes we are completely unaware of the options before us. We all live with built in blind spots that conceal a path or option that we would never be aware of unless a dream brings it to our conscious attention. In fact, all the major turning points in my life have been somewhat influenced by dreams… dreams I will never forget because they were so revelatory. They have provided me with warnings, advice and encouragement.
3. wisdom: Some of my dreams have been so profound that they have, in effect, raised me to a new level of understanding. When I awaken from such dreams, it is as though I have been face to face with the Absolute. They are so powerful that they have sometimes frightened me, but always expanded my mind. Jung called such dreams “numinous”, meaning spiritual; or “archetypal”, meaning deeply universal in its import.

Years ago when I took a Clinical Pastoral Education course, I shared a lot about dream work with my classmates. They found it very helpful. In fact, my instructor suggested I go study at the Jungian Institute in Switzerland. Alas, I could not.

However, I am making myself available to those of you who would like help working with your dreams. I have a method that has proven very beneficial to me over the years that you will find very helpful.

Would you like to work together with me on your dreams? Email me and we can arrange it: haywardart at gmail dot com (read more…)