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that might
possibly relate to the dream may be useful in
clarifying the background against which the
dream will
make sense.
Gradually we begin to explore
the dream. Everyone is
encouraged to get involved, to get
into the dream and
spend some time there. We focus on
specific images,
feelings, conflicts, background scenery, the story line or
various transformations. Turning the
dream over and
over, we pass it from one person to another to get
many
different perspectives. Everyone can offer
up whatever
feelings or ideas come to them, even if it is but
a vague
hunch. All possibilities are then checked
out with the
dreamer to see if they fit.
It is crucial that the dreamer play
an active role in this
process. Only the dreamer can be the final
authority on
which of the numerous possibilities suggested really fit.
Every suggestion must be checked out
and related to
specific circumstances. So the dreamer may reply, "Yes,
that fits my situation and here's how
..." or, "No, I don't
feel that applies to my
life. Often a suggestion that
doesn't apply will remind the dreamer of something else
that does.
It is important that members
of the group build trust
between each other so we can explore our dreams
fully
and comfortably. However, we don't expect people
will
automatically trust one another. Hence we never force it
when the trust isn't there. If we approach an area that
the
dreamer doesn't feel ready to explore, we respect
those
feelings and move on to something else. I feel that deep
trust grows best as people get to know one another
and
share their lives. We try to make space for this by having
occasional potluck dinners before the group meeting.
Levels
of Meaning to a Dream
We
must learn to trust and respect our
dreams, too.
The dream uses the best means of expression
possible,
unhampered by the waking—world laws
of logic and
realism. Dreams can use metaphor, parable,
puns and
intense drama to get their points across. At
other times
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