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Once conflicting symbols have expressed some willingness to exchange viewpoints, the process of reconciliation has begun. Continuing the dialogue, perhaps with intermissions of meditation and reflective writing, may lead to some compromise solutions. It is not necessary, however, to force the dialogue to a satisfactory conclusion. The process of reconciliation will continue silently within you, perhaps emerging in a new form in a later dream. Sometimes a pair of conflicting symbols from a dream seem incapable of reconciliation, even when you step in yourself to try to help. Maybe you are too close to the conflict to offer the necessary diplomacy. If so, try the third approach to dialogue. Search among your other dreams for a symbol that might provide the necessary healing touch or at least a different attitude. Laughing Woodsman: I am the laughing woodsman, at home in the woods and alive to the humor of its nature. Hey, what's this? A deer and a wolf caught in an inner tube? Ho ho ho! You two look mighty uncomfortable. Deer: It's no joke! Wolf: I didn't put us in this spot, believe me! Woodsman: Ho ho ho! Here, wolf, let me pick you up and put you over my shoulder. You look mighty silly sitting there cuddling with the deer. Wolf: I want to get back to my hunting. Woodsman: We'll hunt together. We'd make a good team—once your anger wears off. You won't be lonely with me around. We can sing together. And you, deer, the next time you want to cross the river, allow yourself to float downstream as you slowly make your way across. That way, you'll blend with the current and you'll have the force of the river behind you. Dialogue and Creative WritingExperiment with different scenarios, using situations and symbols from various dreams, or create special situations, such as a courtroom, and let the symbols interact. Another special situation for dialogue is preparation for dream incubation (see page 9 ). Take a dream symbol that represents an attribute in need of transformation to a symbolic place of healing. Empathize with that "place" and allow it to express its special vibrations. Introduce the supplicant symbol to your symbol of healing or wisdom and allow them to dialogue. Engaging in such inspirational writing before going to bed will often prepare you for the needed transformative dream. Dream shields (see Sundance, Volume 1, pp. 90-92, 184-189) provide interesting starting points for expanded dialogues. What begins as an exercise in developing self-awareness transforms into an experience in creative writing. With patience and discernment, the dialogue with our symbolic life allows healing and art to become one in self-acceptance and expression. 86
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