DREAM INCUBATION

 

Last summer I served as therapeutes—friendly guide and helper—to more than 80 people who wished to undergo dream incubation in the A.R.E. pyramid, located behind the Headquarters building on the edge of Seashore State Park. In addition to providing the conference participants with an enlightening dream experience, our purpose was to collect data that would increase our understanding of the healing process of dream incubation (see Reed, 1978), so that we might also design effective dream incubation procedures for people working alone at home. Locating the summer conferences' dream incubations in the A.R.E. pyramid also provided us an opportunity to explore the possible effects of a pyramid on dreaming (see Sparrow, 1978).

When a conference participant would sign up to undergo dream incubation, I would meet with that person for at least one lengthy and intensive session to clarify or "boil down" the person's concern, or problem, to its essence. At the conclusion of this interview, I would assign additional preparatory activities for the person to do alone. Such preparation usually involved some combination of journal writing, creative art expression, and specific prayer or meditation practices. The purpose of the preparation activity was to sharpen the incubant's focus of concern and to place the purpose of the incubation within the overall context of the incubant's ideals for life.

On the designated night, I would meet the incubant at the entrance to the pyramid. A 12-foot base, plywood-covered model, the A.R.E. pyramid, although barren in appearance, is air-conditioned and is furnished with a comfortable, elevated bed. After being introduced to this special sleeping environment, the incubant was left alone to pursue whatever bedtime ritual seemed appropriate.

Early the following morning, the incubant and I would meet   for  another  intensive  interview  to  discuss  whatever