What is Dreamwork?

What is Dreamwork anyways??

After many years of working with my dreams, they now have become woven into my regular, everyday life, like a secret, sacred thread, that you can only see if you look closely. The dream images, feelings and characters show up in my reflections, my quiet moments in busy days, as a reminder that there is more, much more, to this world than what we see with our eyes. The dreams become a sanctuary for me to return to, just by pausing and focusing my attention in on them. The wisdom within me, but also beyond me, shows up in the dreams. It shows up in ways that are amusing, comforting and sometimes terrifying. The complexities of our own dreams are not meant to navigated or understood alone. In most indigenous cultures the dreams were shared with others, as the outside perspective of someone with experience working with dreams could provide powerful insight into the possible meaning of the dream for the dreamer and sometimes for the community as well. For nearly five years now I have met with a Natural Dreamwork practitioner to explore, untangle, and tend to my dreams. The work has brought me into a gentle understanding of my “shadow” parts, my unconscious patterns that influence my life (often in unhelpful ways) as well as deepened my connection to my ancestors, and beings of spiritual support. Dreamwork has allowed me time and space to unpack and process the unpleasant, but also to bask in the magical, to deeply “be with” the sublime. Things I might have labeled as “meaningless” and not explored are often packed with hidden gifts, and I feel lucky to have a practitioner to open up these “meaningless” dreams and recover their hidden treasures. I now realize that one can find meaning in most dreams, even them mundane and silly will offer messages and teachings for us.  In our normal state of consciousness (ie awake) we often are not able to see this, that is why it is so important to work with a practitioner.

Dreamwork has probably been practiced informally as long as there have been dreams. Dream “interpretation” is one form. But others have practiced a more dynamic way of working with the dreams. Natural Dreamwork is one of these modalities. Natural Dreamwork focuses on the images in the dreams more than the plot. With a practitioner we begin to allow the dream to open up, we revisit the dream, slow it down, explore it in many different ways. We work more with feelings, and soul rather than with linear, logical analysis, because the dreams are ultimately gifts from the soul. The soul’s messages that are often obscured by our every day monkey mind, surface in the quiet night through our dreams. They whisper to us about how to heal our anxieties, our sadness, our spiritual disconnect. This whisper is rarely heard above the chaotic noise of modern life as we frantically search for other solutions for our dis-ease. Maybe the cure is buried deep inside of us, just waiting for us to turn our attention inward? I feel my dreams deserve my regular attention,  just as I pay attention to all the things I love and value in my life. I do this so that I may acknowledge and receive the messages and support of my soul. 

After many years of working with a practitioner, I began to train a Natural Dreamwork practitioner. I have attended years of workshops, and trainings and now I offer dreamwork sessions under the supervision of a very experienced mentor. Offering Natural Dreamwork sessions for clients is one of my favorite modalities of healing. The work is fascinating, and powerful. When we share dreams we connect at soul level that is not often available in this modern world, and that connection brings me into a deeper state of compassion.

A Natural Dreamwork session can be done online via Zoom or Facetime, or in person. Sessions are typically 75-90 minutes long. Shorter one hour sessions can be done in the beginning if you do not have a lot of dream materials to work with. Usually once you start working with the dreams, more dreams will come. I often integrate other healing modalities into dreamwork to help heal past trauma that often shows up in the dreams. For those with nightmares and trauma, please know, the dreams work at a gentle pace, so the work doesn’t feel overwhelming. You have agency to decide the frequency of your sessions as well. For me I like to see my practitioner once every 3 weeks. People that are just beginning may benefit from weekly or bi-weekly sessions. And yes, you are welcome to just do a single session if you just have one dream that you want to focus on. 

I know many people don’t remember their dreams. I am happy to offer guidance to help with this as well. 

If there is a curiosity within your regarding your dreams , please reach out to me directly to discuss dreamwork sessions, or contact me if you need help with remembering dreams.  618-523-2300 call or text, or email. 

Wishing you a deep connection with your soul, and a remembrance of true joy. 

Anne