An article by Liz Brenneman
Do you remember how you played as a child? Creating imaginary worlds: rich in pleasure, danger, adventure, and joy, young children live in a timeless realm beyond adult order and expectation. The curiosity of a small child can often be a frustration to an adult, who has to attend to “accomplishing” tasks pertinent to daily life. The child, on the other hand is in the process of developing a relationship with the insect that has piqued their curiosity, flying with the propeller-like seed pod from a maple tree, singing with the birds. It is in the spirit of that child that we will begin to deepen into the exploration of dream and develop relationships with the images who visit.
In our dream circles, rather than “interpret” dreams, we will embody the living images that have visited through dream. As a dreaming community, our members will assist one another in the expression and personification of the imagery present in our dream through a variety of approaches.
Sand tray is one form of exploration available to the group. In sand tray dreams are given expression through the manipulation of objects – a visual representation of psyche as demonstrated through the symbology of the items chosen. As with dream, rather than interpret, we become curious about the objects and their relationship to one another in the tray. Sand tray brings the imagery of dream into conscious awareness and provides a kinesthetic and psychological relationship between dreamer and the images.
There are choices in the use of sand tray. The dreamer may want to create their own tray and invite their fellow dreamers to explore the contents of the tray. Another approach is to have all dream circle members choose items based on their own felt experience of the dream as shared by the dreamer. The items in the tray are then given 1st person voice by the individual who placed the item in the tray.
For instance, if an image in your dream feels as if it is “dragging its feet,” I might place this fellow in your tray. Speaking in 1st person, my “voice,” embodying something of the spirit of this figure, may say: “I am here to give you pause – I see something in this landscape you are missing when racing through in that bus full of people." I have now made corporeal the spirit of “giving pause." This act of metaphorically representing an image in a concrete way is helpful in that these shared perceptions have the ability to broaden perspective and tap into unexpected felt experiences that resonate with the dreamer.
Dream takes place in community….the figures, images, characters, objects, and landscapes present in dream are there in relationship to each other. In the community of our dream circles, by tapping the collective unconscious, we begin to meet in the spirit of relationship through the embodiment of images, giving them form and voice.
Another means of embodiment is for a dreamer to choose a dream image that is compelling. Perhaps the figure or object attracts or repels the dreamer in a significant way. Perhaps it is a figure that has visited over time and is here again. The dreamer, having chosen who or what they want to work with, can either embody the image or begin a conversation with it. When a dreamer embodies their image, we may request that you actively recreate an action or motion you have witnessed or expressed through the dream visitor. Perhaps there is a particular Tree in your dream that seems to be whipping about almost on the verge of breaking. What would it be like to embody that movement, experiencing first- hand what may be an exaggerated expression of some internal storm that is unconsciously alive in psyche? Bringing the stress of Tree almost at the breaking point into consciousness can provide us with a means of exploring what we need to do for ourselves in the way of self-care.
Developing a dialogue with an image is another powerful means of finding deeper meaning from its presence. Imagine a conversation with a large rock in dream. As you sit with Rock, curious about its place in this landscape, notice the particularity of your Rock. Is it worn down? Impenetrable? Blocking the way? Won’t budge? What does Rock need? When you ask it that question, how does it respond? Does it soften, get smaller, larger? As it begins its transformation do you recognize any of those qualities in self, in friends, family, partners – how do the qualities you identify regard you and you them?
It is also possible to “interview” imagery in dream. Clarifying questions are often helpful to illuminate some felt sense we may have about who or what is visiting in dream. As you query dream images, it is helpful to stay with who, what, where, when and how questions. “Why” may provoke distance, the image feeling a need to explain, justify or defend its presence – when we ask “who” is visiting, we are now hosting the “guest,” inviting it to open to us. When we ask a child why they do something, they are frequently at a loss…. “I don’t know” is a typical response to why. It assumes the reason is clear to the child – the same is true of the dream visitor – it is up to us to discover, not demand an explanation. Like many of us, dream images can be shy when put on the spot.
Whatever methods we bring to dreaming circles, rest assured we want to provide a sense of safety, adventure, and ongoing facilitation in your process. Please ask questions, make suggestions, and most importantly, welcome Dream into your life and your Circle. These images are resources – they are willing companions, with you through good times and difficult times – if only you call on them, opening the door to their wisdom. Remember, the child within is there to guide you in the spirit of dream.
