ABSTRACT

Working and playing with the dream as a real experience

David Jenkins, Ph.D. 
Berkeley, CA
dj@practicaldreamwork.com

David Jenkins teaches classes on dreams and offers dream groups in Berkeley, California. He graduated in 2001 from the Center for Psychological Studies in Albany, California with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He maintains an active web site at http://www.practicaldreamwork.com. His thesis: "The vicissitudes of the theme in dream series" was a study of Emanuel Swedenborg's 1743-44 dream journal.

Summary of Presentation

We will explore dreams from the standpoint that the dream was a real event. Therefore the well being of the dream-ego when next this situation occurs is our major concern. We will work and play with the dream using gestalt, narrative, completion and other techniques.

This workshop is delivered in conjunction with the paper "The reality of the dream". A video interview with the author can be seen at http://www.practicaldreamwork.com/asd-2003.htm.

Learning Objectives:

1. To understand the concept of the dream ego
2. To understand the difference between working and playing with a dream.
3. To understand how the dynamics of dream series can be used in self-exploration

Evaluation questions:

1. How did this experience of working with dreams differ from your customary methods?
2. Did this experience trigger any new insights?
3. How do you think you might refine your dream practice as a result of this experience?

Abstract 

In this workshop we will explore dreams from the standpoint that the dream was a real event. Therefore the well being of the dream-ego is our major concern.

By means of gestalt, narrative and other techniques, we work to explore the tension in the dream and look for the meaning within the dream. By playing with the dream – changing the plot, events or by adding characters, we can plan a different/better response to the issues portrayed in the dream. We expect that, by working on this dream, the next dream about this subject will be changed.

Participants learn how to follow the dreamer’s lead as the dream is told, retold and explored. We stick with the dream rather than moving to interpretations or associations from the dreamer’s past. The dreamer’s creativity is used to solve and re-solve the immediate problem posed by the dream. With that work, we expect that, when the dream recurs (as it is almost bound to) the dreamer will have access to more resources and hence the experience of the next dream will be different.

The workshop format will include formal exercises, working in small groups and working with the whole group.

This workshop is delivered in conjunction with the paper "The reality of the dream". A video interview about the workshop can be seen at http://www.practicaldreamwork.com/asd-2003.htm.

9. VITAE OR RESUME. See below

10. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR ALL WORKSHOP PROPOSALS.

1. Active credentials: Member of the American Counseling Association
2. Specific training in dream work or dream studies: Many workshops and training classes
3. the nature of experience conducting dream workshops: Not sure what you mean. I have conducted many workshops and classes like this over the last 3 years. Typically the size is 6-12 members but it has been as many as 60 people.
4. orientation, style, or name of methods or techniques to be utilized: Jungian based. Gestalt. Strong use of narrative and completion techniques.

 

5. A detailed description of the activities in which attendees will be encouraged to participate during the proposed workshop;

There are two formats: working in pairs or small groups and working with the workshop leader.

1. Working in pairs or small groups: Participants tell each other their dreams. The dream-worker has a set of specific questions to ask the dream-er (see below for a description of the exercises)
2. Working with the workshop leader: Someone tells a dream. Workshop leader works with the dreamer and also allows group members to ask questions or to make statements (format "if it was my dream …"). Workshop leader focuses on getting the dreamer to explain the dream and, depending on the specific dream, to understand their own motivations and intentions, clarify the motivations and intentions of other dream characters, decide what would happen next if the dream were to continue, decide how the dream could be changed to better support the dream ego.

• Everyone takes two partners
• Choose an A, a B and a C
• One person (A) will tell a dream
• The other person (B) will focus all their attention on the person telling the dream
• C is the observer.

A tells the dream.

B responds with either of these two replies:

• Would you like to tell me more?

• Would you like to tell the dream again?

At the end, B says "Thank you" (level tone)

• Everyone takes two partners
• Choose an A, a B and a C
• One person (A) will tell a dream
• The other person (B) will focus all their attention on the person telling the dream
• C is the observer.

A tells the dream once.

B suggests how they would complete the dream

A suggests how A would complete it.

C observes and ensures that A & B keep their own solutions separate.

 [abstracts index]  [conference index]  [member pages]