Presented by Sheila M. Asato, M.A. Abbott Institute for Health and Healing Spring, 2008 Healing Dreams

“ In an era where everything is being mapped … dreams remain, by their very nature, terra incognita. They push at the edge of our limitations, urging us toward the wild boundary lands of the possible.” Marc Ian Barasch

“ In an era where everything is being mapped … dreams remain, by their very nature, terra incognita. They push at the edge of our limitations, urging us toward the wild boundary lands of the possible.”

Marc Ian Barasch

The Hero’s Journey

The Reluctant Hero “ Like it or not, I was hurt; and my dreams taught me how to move from injury to wellness.” Patricia Garfield

“ Like it or not, I was hurt; and my dreams taught me how to move from injury to wellness.”

Patricia Garfield

The Call “ Fifteen years ago, I was abducted – there is no other word for it – into the realm of the dream… Each successive dream had spelled it out more explicitly until, although the word was never uttered, it glared down at me from a neon marquee: cancer.” Marc Ian Barasch

“ Fifteen years ago, I was abducted – there is no other word for it – into the realm of the dream… Each successive dream had spelled it out more explicitly until, although the word was never uttered, it glared down at me from a neon marquee: cancer.”

Marc Ian Barasch

The Initiation “ For many people, being admitted to a hospital is like being transported to an unknown land where one must undergo test and trials. There in the unfamiliar territory is where the “initiation” takes place.” Patricia Garfield

“ For many people, being admitted to a hospital is like being transported to an unknown land where one must undergo test and trials. There in the unfamiliar territory is where the “initiation” takes place.”

Patricia Garfield

The Descent

The Journey “ The nightmares continued, flooding in as if a hellish levee had burst. I badgered the doctor for a more complete workup… But some weeks later, I felt a grim twinge of vindication when a needle biopsy confirmed what my dreams had hinted – it was a cancerous malignancy.” Marc Ian Barasch

“ The nightmares continued, flooding in as if a hellish levee had burst. I badgered the doctor for a more complete workup… But some weeks later, I felt a grim twinge of vindication when a needle biopsy confirmed what my dreams had hinted – it was a cancerous malignancy.”

Marc Ian Barasch

Helpers Along the Way “ If we are lucky, we encounter people – or even animals in dreams – who help us to recover and find out way, as well as tempters who confuse and misdirect us.” Patricia Garfield

“ If we are lucky, we encounter people – or even animals in dreams – who help us to recover and find out way, as well as tempters who confuse and misdirect us.”

Patricia Garfield

The Return “ To return to the everyday world whole – but transformed – is like a rebirth. We have changed in some important way, not only physically, but also psychologically.” Patricia Garfield

“ To return to the everyday world whole – but transformed – is like a rebirth. We have changed in some important way, not only physically, but also psychologically.”

Patricia Garfield

Becoming Whole “ We know what the descent was like and how to ascend. We learned to endure in both worlds. We share what we have discovered with one another.” Patricia Garfield

“ We know what the descent was like and how to ascend. We learned to endure in both worlds. We share what we have discovered with one another.”

Patricia Garfield

The Body in Dreams

Body as House What are Your Associations? Foundation Framework Basement Ground & Upper Floors Pipes Ducts Wires Windows & Doors

Foundation

Framework

Basement

Ground & Upper Floors

Pipes

Ducts

Wires

Windows & Doors

Your Dreams Recall a recent house dream Note waking Life situation Emotional context Health issues

Recall a recent house dream

Note waking

Life situation

Emotional context

Health issues

House Questions Is your house too small or spacious? Is it shabby or well cared for? Are parts in disrepair? Is something broken or disconnected? Is the house harmonious or unattractively decorated? Is the foundation strong or shaky? Are you discovering new rooms?

Is your house too small or spacious?

Is it shabby or well cared for?

Are parts in disrepair?

Is something broken or disconnected?

Is the house harmonious or unattractively decorated?

Is the foundation strong or shaky?

Are you discovering new rooms?

Body Function as a Vehicle What function do these serve? Steering wheel Brakes Headlights Engine Fuel tank Tires Greek Autos = self Latin mobilis = movable

What function do these serve?

Steering wheel

Brakes

Headlights

Engine

Fuel tank

Tires

Your Vehicle Dreams Recall a recent vehicle dream Note waking sense of control In your body In your life – relationships, work Ease of movement Direction Where are you headed?

Recall a recent vehicle dream

Note waking sense of control

In your body

In your life – relationships, work

Ease of movement

Direction

Where are you headed?

Vehicle Questions What type of vehicle is it? How well does it function? Who is at the steering wheel? Is the vehicle moving too fast or slow? Do the brakes work? Is it moving properly on the road or has it gone off? Is there enough gas?

What type of vehicle is it?

How well does it function?

Who is at the steering wheel?

Is the vehicle moving too fast or slow?

Do the brakes work?

Is it moving properly on the road or has it gone off?

Is there enough gas?

Hunger pangs Need to use toilet Sexual arousal Menstrual cycle Muscle cramps Normal Bodily Processes Body sensations & dream imagery

Hunger pangs

Need to use toilet

Sexual arousal

Menstrual cycle

Muscle cramps

Abnormal Bodily Processes Inflammation Fever Slow or fast metabolism Excessive fluids Pressure in the chest

Inflammation

Fever

Slow or fast metabolism

Excessive fluids

Pressure in the chest

D R E A M Process D escribe dream in the present tense R eflect on feelings E xpress related waking emotions & events A ssociate key images M editate on meaning S ummarize plan for waking life

D escribe dream in the present tense

R eflect on feelings

E xpress related waking emotions & events

A ssociate key images

M editate on meaning

S ummarize plan for waking life

The 7 Stages of Recovery

The Hero’s Journey in Dreams “ To ascribe a mythic dimension to a dream may seem overblown. But in myths, we may discern our own life story writ large; uncover patterns and belief systems that, once uncovered, may be changed; find perspective on our individual concerns as reflections of eternal human themes.” Marc Ian Barasch, Healing Dreams

“ To ascribe a mythic dimension to a dream may seem overblown. But in myths, we may discern our own life story writ large; uncover patterns and belief systems that, once uncovered, may be changed; find perspective on our individual concerns as reflections of eternal human themes.”

Marc Ian Barasch, Healing Dreams

Forewarning Dreams

Typical Forewarning Imagery Going too fast and no brakes Car can’t stop, about to crash Nearing the point of exhaustion Collapsing people or buildings Danger ahead Storm on the horizon Damage underway House being broken into

Going too fast and no brakes

Car can’t stop, about to crash

Nearing the point of exhaustion

Collapsing people or buildings

Danger ahead

Storm on the horizon

Damage underway

House being broken into

Diagnostic Dreams Can reveal: The nature of the dis-ease The exact location of the problem The shape and/or function of the troubled area

Can reveal:

The nature of the dis-ease

The exact location of the problem

The shape and/or function of the troubled area

Reoccurring dream of burning pain between legs Acute cystitis (inflammation of bladder) Clues: location & excessive heat Man falls into water between wharf and yacht and is squeezed into the pier Myocardial infraction – heart trouble Clues: excessive water & being squeezed Examples of Diagnostic Imagery

Reoccurring dream of burning pain between legs

Acute cystitis (inflammation of bladder)

Clues: location & excessive heat

Man falls into water between wharf and yacht and is squeezed into the pier

Myocardial infraction – heart trouble

Clues: excessive water & being squeezed

Injured or dying people, animals & plants Damaged or destroyed buildings Blocked or dirty liquid Malfunctioning machines or equipment What To Look For Extreme heat Extreme cold Excess water Dryness Itchiness Pain

Injured or dying people, animals & plants

Damaged or destroyed buildings

Blocked or dirty liquid

Malfunctioning machines or equipment

Extreme heat

Extreme cold

Excess water

Dryness

Itchiness

Pain

Crisis Dreams “ The dreaming mind likens any bodily injury to a physical attack… Disaster dreams are normal when you are seriously ill.” Patricia Garfield

“ The dreaming mind likens any bodily injury to a physical attack… Disaster dreams are normal when you are seriously ill.”

Patricia Garfield

Typical Crisis Dreams Broken bones, muscle tears & amputations Broken buildings, objects or clothing Loss of identity in hospital Lost wallets, passports, purses Replays of past accidents or illnesses Emotional or physical similarity to current situation

Broken bones, muscle tears & amputations

Broken buildings, objects or clothing

Loss of identity in hospital

Lost wallets, passports, purses

Replays of past accidents or illnesses

Emotional or physical similarity to current situation

REM Rebound Intense, vivid & terrifying dreams Natural outcome of: - Sleep deprivation - Medication - Surgery “ REM rebound is a sign that your brain is trying to restore it’s normal functioning.” Patricia Garfield

Intense, vivid & terrifying dreams

Natural outcome of:

- Sleep deprivation

- Medication

- Surgery

“ REM rebound is a sign that your brain is trying to restore it’s normal functioning.”

Patricia Garfield

Post-Crisis Dreams Destruction or damage inflicted on the body by operation Lost or stolen objects Fear of death

Destruction or damage inflicted on the body by operation

Lost or stolen objects

Fear of death

Examples of Post-Crisis Dreams Dreamer is raped by strangers Hysterectomy Bulldozers break garage door & steal car Abortion Dreamer sees dead person or animals Surgery with general anesthetic – fear of death Grief over something lost Surgical removal of body part Replay of trauma War wound, car crash, calamity, or disaster

Dreamer is raped by strangers

Hysterectomy

Bulldozers break garage door & steal car

Abortion

Dreamer sees dead person or animals

Surgery with general anesthetic – fear of death

Grief over something lost

Surgical removal of body part

Replay of trauma

War wound, car crash, calamity, or disaster

Healing Dreams “ As we return to health, several signposts appear in our dreams. We may even experience significant healing within the dream.” Patricia Garfield

“ As we return to health, several signposts appear in our dreams. We may even experience significant healing within the dream.”

Patricia Garfield

Signs of Returning Health New body image – growth & repair House under construction / repair Newborn babies & animals Beautiful view, lush fields, grass, flowers Returning sense of control Prevent car crash or finding lost object Restoration of energy Animals or children playing happily Increased Cooperation - helpers

New body image – growth & repair

House under construction / repair

Newborn babies & animals

Beautiful view, lush fields, grass, flowers

Returning sense of control

Prevent car crash or finding lost object

Restoration of energy

Animals or children playing happily

Increased Cooperation - helpers

Dream Helpers

Examples of Healing Dreams “ I am talking on the phone to a woman friend when I hear noises. I go to the picture window and look out onto our land. There is a beautiful spring scene – a lush field, green grass, trees in bloom. There are animals running around, kicking up their heels. I tell the person on the phone and call my husband to come look. A goose is chasing my favorite cat. They’re all playing. I say to my husband, “Like you chase me, honey.” - Mimi, three weeks after hysterectomy and dreams of being brutally raped

“ I am talking on the phone to a woman friend when I hear noises. I go to the picture window and look out onto our land. There is a beautiful spring scene – a lush field, green grass, trees in bloom. There are animals running around, kicking up their heels. I tell the person on the phone and call my husband to come look. A goose is chasing my favorite cat. They’re all playing. I say to my husband, “Like you chase me, honey.”

- Mimi, three weeks after hysterectomy and dreams of being brutally raped

Examples of Healing Dreams “ My husband and I are with a group of people in the ocean. We’re holding onto pieces of a ship from a shipwreck. I say, “I can’t swim!” Some man takes the lead. He asks, “Who else can’t swim?” Others raise their hands. He says, “Hold on. We’ll make a chain.” We form a chain, like a snake, going up and down over the swells. The water is dark but bright. I feel more comfortable and not so afraid. We go with the swells, riding over the crests of the waves.” - Irene, several months after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in one of her breasts

“ My husband and I are with a group of people in the ocean. We’re holding onto pieces of a ship from a shipwreck. I say, “I can’t swim!” Some man takes the lead. He asks, “Who else can’t swim?” Others raise their hands. He says, “Hold on. We’ll make a chain.” We form a chain, like a snake, going up and down over the swells. The water is dark but bright. I feel more comfortable and not so afraid. We go with the swells, riding over the crests of the waves.”

- Irene, several months after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in one of her breasts

Convalescence Dreams “ When we have been ill or injured, delightful sexual dreams indicate a resurgence of normal energy levels. Dreams of restored appetite for food also suggest returning strength.” Patricia Garfield

“ When we have been ill or injured, delightful sexual dreams indicate a resurgence of normal energy levels.

Dreams of restored appetite for food also suggest returning strength.”

Patricia Garfield

Wellness Dreams “ When dreamers are well, their dream images show the dreamer functioning normally and with assurance; the elements of nature likewise appear to flourish, without suffering from excess or deficit.” Patricia Garfield

“ When dreamers are well, their dream images show the dreamer functioning normally and with assurance; the elements of nature likewise appear to flourish, without suffering from excess or deficit.”

Patricia Garfield

Examples of Metaphors Pink stairwell covered with scratches Sore throat Dreamer impaled on sharp pole in anus Hemorrhoids Dreamer’s house is on fire Heart burn Dreamer drowning in dirty, yellow water Bronchitis Dreamer is shot in left side of the head Migraine

Pink stairwell covered with scratches

Sore throat

Dreamer impaled on sharp pole in anus

Hemorrhoids

Dreamer’s house is on fire

Heart burn

Dreamer drowning in dirty, yellow water

Bronchitis

Dreamer is shot in left side of the head

Migraine

Waves of Dream Change During Recovery Replay of trauma Equal or worse imagery Accidental improvement Deliberate change Recovery images predominate New body image

Replay of trauma

Equal or worse imagery

Accidental improvement

Deliberate change

Recovery images predominate

New body image

Healing Dream Activities Review your dream journal Count afflicted body images in dreams after injury or illness Compare with later dreams Note changes

Review your dream journal

Count afflicted body images in dreams after injury or illness

Compare with later dreams

Note changes

Danger in Dreams - Questions When did I realize danger was present in my dream? How could I have averted danger? i.e. move something to prevent danger? What or who could I have added to the dream to help me? How could I have changed my own behavior? How could I have saved others?

When did I realize danger was present in my dream?

How could I have averted danger?

i.e. move something to prevent danger?

What or who could I have added to the dream to help me?

How could I have changed my own behavior?

How could I have saved others?

Dream Replay Replay the dream now in your imagination Visualize a more healthy outcome

Replay the dream now in your imagination

Visualize a more healthy outcome

Dream Incubation Plan your incubation phrase Assume the next dream is the response Explore the dream Decide if advice is valid and useful Honor the dream

Plan your incubation phrase

Assume the next dream is the response

Explore the dream

Decide if advice is valid and useful

Honor the dream

Work With Nightmares Write or draw the dream in detail Share the dream with someone Get help if necessary

Write or draw the dream in detail

Share the dream with someone

Get help if necessary

Sheila McNellis Asato, M.A. Monkey Bridge Arts monkeybridgearts.com 952-412-4786 IASD asdreams.org Sweet Dreams!

Monkey Bridge Arts

monkeybridgearts.com

952-412-4786

IASD

asdreams.org

Closing Quote “ I’ve puzzled over my dreams, cherished them and run from them, and when I couldn’t figure them out, saved them as one would a loose bolt in a junk drawer, wondering if it might someday prove valuable. But to take dreams seriously – enough to act on them, to live by them is potentially subversive… The closer I look, the more my dreams seem to insist upon the same spiritual onus: You must live truthfully. Right now. And always.” Marc Ian Barasch

“ I’ve puzzled over my dreams, cherished them and run from them, and when I couldn’t figure them out, saved them as one would a loose bolt in a junk drawer, wondering if it might someday prove valuable. But to take dreams seriously – enough to act on them, to live by them is potentially subversive…

The closer I look, the more my dreams seem to insist upon the same spiritual onus: You must live truthfully. Right now. And always.”

Marc Ian Barasch

Resources Healing Dreams by Marc Ian Barasch The Healing Power of Dreams by Patricia Garfield She Who Dreams by Wanda Burch Dreams and Healing by John Sanford Dream Healing and Ritual by C.A. Meier

Healing Dreams by Marc Ian Barasch

The Healing Power of Dreams by Patricia Garfield

She Who Dreams by Wanda Burch

Dreams and Healing by John Sanford

Dream Healing and Ritual by C.A. Meier

Artwork by Jaimie Cahlil www.cahlil.com soulful intuitive art counseling + psychotherapy jaimie

www.cahlil.com