{"id":33976,"date":"2023-11-07T08:59:07","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T16:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=33976"},"modified":"2023-11-07T08:59:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T16:59:07","slug":"dream-with-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/dream-with-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Dream with Me"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fear of an impending nuclear war can lead a person to do many things. In the case of Jordan Peterson, he chose to write <\/span>Maps of Meaning<\/span><\/i> in 1984, believing it be his responsibility \u201cto figure out how we should act in the world and how we are to act around other people, and relationship with the broader world across time.\u201d [1] He describes this daunting task as a \u201cviciously difficult problem.\u201d [2] It isn\u2019t surprising that this all-consuming task influenced him in various ways:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI turned to my dreams- acting on a tip from Jung, who had proposed that the dream might contain information, when no other source would suffice. I spent several years intensely working and thinking-trying to understand individual human motivation for the worst possible human actions. I had decided to devote my life to the problem of evil.\u201d[3]<\/span><\/p>\n

Peterson turned to his dreams. I have great empathy for those who vividly dream, and I could not help but think of my clients who have this same struggle. This week, one of my clients reported an increase in dreams, and this sparked an interest to revisit this topic of dreams. I turned to <\/span>Maps of Meaning<\/span><\/i> and other resources to help me pursue a discussion on this topic. In this blog I will discuss what dreams are (proposed by different theorists), how a clinician might assist clients with them, and what good might come from them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dreams\u2013 How do Theorists Define Them?<\/b><\/p>\n

Walt Disney\u2019s classic movie <\/span>Pinocchio<\/span><\/i> features the song \u201cWhen you wish upon a star.\u201d The lullaby almost puts us in a dream state. Many believe that wishing might be compared to dreaming, but this is not always true. Steve De Shazer, in his book <\/span>More Than Miracles<\/span><\/i>, states: \u201caccording to Freud\u2019s theory, all dreams are wish fulfillments. Freud wanted to find one explanation which would show what dreaming is.\u201d [4] Do dreams have only one explanation? Irvin D. Yalom, a leading psychologist, believes, \u201cDreams can be an invaluable aid in effective therapy. They represent an incisive restating of the patient\u2019s deeper problems, only in a different language– a language of visual imagery.\u201d [5] These deeper problems are often kept unconscious and displayed in a person\u2019s dreams. Daniel Lieberman in his book <\/span>Spell Bound<\/span><\/i> speaks of the unconscious, \u201cWith its enormous processing power and instinctual energies, the unconscious can be a powerful ally. We\u2019ve all been surprised by strengths and abilities we didn\u2019t know we had.\u201d [6] From my limited practice in dream work, I believe Yalom and Lieberman provide a good definition for a dream.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dare to Process your Dreams<\/b><\/p>\n

When I first became a clinician, I thought that helping people with their dreams was best left to people like Joseph in the Old Testament who interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh. Surely, helping clients with dreams would remain out of my scope of practice and this would be a ball I could dodge. I have grown as a clinician and now welcome clients to share their dreams. Irvin Yalom confirms, therapists should \u201cmake it clear that \u2018they\u2019 are interested in them (dreams).\u201d [7] My clients have reported that they rarely, if ever, share their dreams with anyone. A safe relationship must be established for clients to share. Is it safe for clients to disclose dream content as this may leave them fragile and fearful?\u00a0 I agree with the developmental psychologist, D.W. Winnicott emphasis: \u201cAll the time in our analytic work we are assessing and reassessing the ego strength of the patient.\u201d[8] A therapist must gauge the internal strength of a client. It is best if processing dreams remains pressure-free and on the client\u2019s terms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When clients recount their dreams, a therapist can aid a client in rescripting their memories.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImagery rescripting can comprise either trying to alter a previous memory to soften the memory or by creating new images all together. Having the client respond in a more effective manner, having them have had a more effective interpretation or internal response at the time, or extending the story to a later point where the bad thing happened but they were still doing well in the big picture.\u201d [9]<\/span><\/p>\n

I am so proud of my clients who are willing to share with me their dreams. I agree with Peterson when he compares dream work to being on an adventure which brings treasure in the end. [10]<\/span><\/p>\n

Discovering the Meaning of Dreams<\/b><\/p>\n

This past weekend, I went to a bookstore and found a section of books on dreams, which were primarily on dream interpretation. I have always guffawed at the notion of being able to interpret dreams for others when the beauty of interpretation lies with the client\u2019s personal discovery.\u00a0 Dream interpretation is described by Jordan Peterson:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe things that are most informative are frequently the most painful. Under such circumstances, it is easy to run away. The act of running away, however, transforms the ambivalent unknown into that which is too terrifying to face. Acceptance of anomalous information brings terror and possibility, revolution, and transformation. Rejection of unbearable facts stifles adaptation and strangles life.\u201d [11]<\/span><\/p>\n

I propose Scripture as an intervention with dream work and rescripting memories. As we take our dreams and memories to Jesus, He is there to provide a corrective emotional experience. This can be done by personally reading Scripture or sharing with a trusted counselor or spiritual director. I recently listened to the workshop Dr. Clark gave with Margaret Bristow on Mental Health, where Dr. Clark shared:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Gospels and Scriptures- we sometimes think that was in the past and something God wants us to learn about. One of the reasons Jesus said that it was better for him to go is that He was going to send His Spirit\u2026everyone can participate in Him. In your mind and with the Holy Spirit, you are there with Jesus in the Gospel stories. You get to experience Jesus and what He did then.\u201d [12]<\/span><\/p>\n

For those who invite Jesus into their dream work or difficult memories and put themselves (imaginatively) in the Gospel stories, comfort and healing comes. I may not be able to invite Jesus into the rescripting of memories with clients, but I can be inquisitive as to how God may have been providing, protecting, and caring for this person during their dark events. This comes in asking questions like: \u201cWhen did you find safety?\u201d or \u201cHow did you find yourself out of this dream?\u201d Often these glimmers of light have not been noticed until I journey with them into these dark places. It is clear to me that God is seeking to fulfill Psalm 139:11-12, which states: \u201ceven the darkness will not be dark to you.\u201d\u00a0 \u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad<\/span><\/p>\n

————————————————————————————————–<\/span><\/p>\n

[1] Jordan B. Peterson, Jan 2017 lecture -YouTube; <\/span>12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos<\/span><\/i>, Canada: Random House, 2018<\/span><\/p>\n

[2] Jordan B. Peterson, Jan 2017 lecture -YouTube<\/span><\/p>\n

[3] Jordan B. Peterson, <\/span>Maps of Meaning: Architecture of Belief, <\/span><\/i>\u00a0New York: Routledge, 1999, p.460<\/span><\/p>\n

[4] Steve De Shazer, <\/span>More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy<\/span><\/i>, New York: Routledge, 2021 p.105<\/span><\/p>\n

[5] Irvin D. Yalom, <\/span>The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients,<\/span><\/i> New York: Harpers Collins, 2002. p.226<\/span><\/p>\n

[6] Daniel Z. Lieberman,<\/span> Spell Bound: Modern Science, Ancient Magic, and the Hidden Potential of the Unconscious Mind, <\/span><\/i>Dallas, Bella Bella Books Inc.\u00a0 2022.128<\/span><\/p>\n

[7] Irvin D. Yalom, <\/span>The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients,<\/span><\/i> New York: Harpers Collins, 2002. P.235<\/span><\/p>\n

[8] D.W. Winnicott, <\/span>The Maturational Processes and the Facilitating Environment<\/span><\/i>, New York: Routledge, 1965, p.252<\/span><\/p>\n

[9] Scott H. Waltman, <\/span>Socratic Questioning For Therapists and Counselors: Learn How to Think and Intervene Like a Cognitive Behavior Therapist<\/span><\/i>, New York: Routledge, 2021, p.197<\/span><\/p>\n

[10] Jordan B. Peterson, <\/span>Maps of Meaning: Architecture of Belief, <\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0New York: Routledge, 1999 p.407<\/span><\/p>\n

[11] Ibid.p.407<\/span><\/p>\n

[12] Jason Clark & Margaret Bristow, Mental Health and Faith,24\/7 Prayer You Tube, May 31, 2023 <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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