DREAMS AND DREAM WORK

According to C.G. Jung, dreaming is a self-regulating function of the human psyche. Like our body, our soul yearns for balance and is by nature inclined to maintain equilibrium.

When we give too much or not enough importance to a particular way of being or appearing in waking life, our dreams may compensate for the one-sidedness by imagery pointing out its opposites. Dreams as messengers from the unconscious want to show us parts of ourselves we do not yet know. Compensatory activity in dreams can be compared to a pendulum: as far as it swings out on one side, it is sure to be swinging out on the other. Creative dream work can help us to find a still point at the centre of the “pendulum” in our lives.

Like art, poetry, music or dance, dreams speak to us through nonlinear, feeling-tone language - the language of the soul. They communicate through metaphor (symbolic expression) and appeal to the human imagination. Dreams, as well as active imagination can be instrumental for shedding light on root causes of stress, crisis and disease.

As part of the therapeutic process, you may discover how your dreams illuminate the direction of your personal path of healing and developing. Remembering and understanding your dreams can provide valuable fuel on your journey of change toward greater awareness and informed choices. According to Marion Woodman, “dreams are the quickest way into our inner world. They astonish us with their wisdom about past, present and future.”