Dreams, Imagination, and Transformation
Without imagination, we are destined to relive the past. Imagination allows us to envision a future different from our past, one filled with nourishment and possibility, a future shaped by growth and positive transformation. Dreams can serve as a vehicle for imagination and a portal to the unconscious. They offer passage into the rich borderlands—the liminal spaces—between sleep and wakefulness, between conscious and hidden parts of ourselves. Dreams can also help us develop a coherent narrative of our lives.
Throughout history, dreams have given rise to countless interpretations. In this intensive workshop, we will consider that dreams possess their own intrinsic value. Our journey will not be limited to “understanding “dreams but will extend to animating them through body (interoceptive) awareness while drawing upon a wellspring of collective wisdom.
Dreams, coupled with an active imagination, provide access to archetypal resources, profound knowledge, and timeless wisdom. By engaging with our dreams, we can uncover these deep mythological underpinnings and discern how they shape the trajectory of our lives. Awareness of these inner forces empowers us to steer our lives in new, intentional directions.
During our exploration, we will cultivate the art of weaving dreams into our waking consciousness. This integration enriches our inner world, reveals meaningful patterns, and equips us with the clarity to transform our lives when the moment calls for change and new possibilities.
By participating in this workshop, students will:
Understand the Role of Imagination
o Explain how imagination enables us to break free from the patterns of the past and envision a future of growth and transformation.
Explore Various Theories of Dreams
o Describe how dreams act as a gateway to the collective unconscious and the liminal space between sleep and wakefulness.
Acknowledge the Intrinsic Value of Dreams
o Describe the notion that dreams have inherent significance beyond interpretation or analysis.
Animate Dreams Through Active Imagination
o Apply techniques to bring dreams to life by integrating them into conscious, wakeful imagination.
Access Archetypal Wisdom
o Explain how dreams and imagination reveal guiding archetypes and timeless wisdom that shape personal and collective experiences.
Uncover Life Patterns and Influences
o Describe how archetypes within dreams influence the trajectory of our lives and personal development.
Harness Inner Energetic Forces
o Utilize awareness of inner forces and learn to intentionally redirect the course of one’s life.
Integrate Dreams into Daily Life
o Explain the ability to weave dream insights into waking consciousness for enriched self-awareness and transformative change.
Empower Personal Transformation
o Utilize clarity and tools to recognize when and how to enact meaningful changes in life.
In this workshop, we will explore the following aspects of the dreaming process:
Ancient Roots of Dream Understanding
o Describe insights from ancient Greek traditions, as well as extinct and existing tribal cultures.
o Explain cave paintings as representations of visionary experiences.
Freud and Jung’s Contributions
o Explain dreams as wish fulfillment (Freud) and the collective unconscious (Jung).
The Hidden Language of Dreams
o Compare the symbolic and metaphorical nature of dreams.
Felt-Sense in Dreamwork
o Utilize somatic awareness to explore emerging dreams.
Dreams and Reconsolidation Theory
o Explain how dreams help in reconsolidating and integrating memories.
Dreams as Future Guides
o Describe how dreams offer guidance for future-oriented decision-making.
Working with Flashbacks and Nightmares
o Apply the technique of treating flashbacks as dreams to facilitate healing.
Dreaming in Non-Human Species
o Describe dream-like processes in animals.
The Forgotten World of Dreams and Fairytales
o Describe Erich Fromm’s insights into dreams and folklore.
