Dreams

From SenseThinkAct

DREAM EXERCISES

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: Remembering Dreams

1. Put a notebook and pen by your bedside.

2. On awakening; do not open your eyes and lie perfectly still. Any quick motor movement may throw the dream into oblivion.

3. Ask yourself the question, "What has been dreamt?" but do not search for an answer or try to remember. The dream will come flowing back of its own accord.

4. When you have run through the dream again in 'rememberin g' it, open your eyes and gently note it all down. For therapeutic purposes it is more important to describe your feelings (be generous with your adjectives.) than the facts of what occured. Do not hesitate to paint or draw if this comes more easily.

5. Persevere with this method. At first you may get nothing or just remember snatches of a story or just a vague feeling. Put it all down and your recall will gradually improve.

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: Control of Sleep dreams To direct your night dreams you must immerse yourself in the subject you wish to dream about. You must be fully concerned with the subject and seriously desire to dream about it. Sit in a quiet place and think of your dream topic. Decide what you want to dream about and say it out loud at intervals throughout the day and again, especially, just before you go to bed.

You must fall. asleep with the quiet confidence that dream machine will be working for you through the night. Morning will come, you will awake and things will be much clearer. You can mutter something along the lines of; I'll leave it to the dream machine to solve that on, as you fall asleep.

Your dreams are likely to reflect your innermost fears and thoughts about yourself so you will have to be ready to work hard in the preparation to divert the flow of your current subconcious preoccupations.

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: Technique for Day Dream Generation

The generally accepted preparation is [relaxation]. However this is not essential as some people will see images when tense or frightened.

Another method is to create some rite of entry,

DuPotet, for instance, would draw a white chalk circle in the middle of a black floor and ask his patients to stare into it until they experienced visions or hallucinations. Mary Watkins, Waking Dreams 1977.

Freud would press his hand onto the clients forehead to elicit any image, emotion or memory. include gazing into crystal balls; pools of water or mirrors. Apart from the physical relaxation that is usually necessary the routine concerns of the consciousness must also be encouraged to subside.

This is possible through concentration (links) It may also be done by using an image. E.g. Becoming like Water. Play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata first movement (optional) Think of water. Pretend this water is you. Your routine pre-occupations create waves and ripples, currents and whirlpools. Gradually allow the water to become still. The ripples become smaller and less frequent and the water becomes clear and still.

Initially this should be read to you slowly by another person or put on tape. It may be embelished, or repeated until you are in a good space to recieve a dream. The point to be made here, is that you must experiment to find the rite of entry into dreamland that is most appropriate to you as an individual.

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: Daydream Direction and Control If your daydreams are irrelevant, erratic, unfocused, confusing and generally not getting anywhere it may be useful to start off by 'entering' an imagined archetypal scene.

The scene should, as far as possibe, be emotionally neutral in itself so that the dream activity that evolves out of this scene relates to current feelings in your mind rather than associations with the scene. A meadow, hill or brook are usually suitable. (check that the scene you chose doesn't have any strong associations for you.) The procedure is to do the preparation, then conjure up the entry into it for yourself. (Excercises in the section on Imagination will be helpful here especially with regards to 'entry') Then once you have got yourself into the dream let it take over and develop as it will.

It is helpful if you can relate the dream to someone else as you are having it. This will keep part of your attention out so you do not get 'lost' in the fantasy. This relating can be done in any media e.g. dancing, painting, words.

Used in this way daydreaming can allow you to discover the character of your own subconscious. Invaluable in the development of all your thinking.

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Leuner's Ten Suggested Themes for Directed Fantasy.

1. Plains, prairies and open country.

2. Progression from a plain up a mountain.

3. Descent following the course of a river.

4. House visited from top to bottom.

5. Pick a name then describe the person who fits this name.

6. Imagine a person you know, describe them in detail.

7. Meeting a driver on a lonely road.

8. A walk in a swamp or cave.

9. Images from your own scrapbook

10. A pot pourri from the above.

note: No 7 commonly symbolises heterosexual encounter for women.

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: St George Slays the Dragon Etcetera

Daydreams may be used in a more aggressive way to change yourself.

Working from themes or symbols that have occured in your own sleeping dreams is often most productive here. Refer to your dream note-book. As before, imagine the consciously chosen starting situation as releastically as possible. Then you enter the dream (and this entering may not come without some practice) and allow things to happen.

Your will probably find some images that appear threatening. Keeping in mind that the images are only mental fabrications, are not real, and are only to be taken metaphorically... allow things to happen as they will.

Any difficulty you have whilst in the fantasy is known as a 'resistance'. These resistances represent real impediments/ blocks/ fears in the actual personality.

Working on these resistances can lead to resolutions of real mental dis-function and/or a deeper understanding of self and values. Dissolving or combating heavy resistances should be done with the help of a supportive guide who has experience in these things, as the emotional catharsis that may result can be dramatic and disorientating.

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: Inventions Invent something new. The new thing can be functional or it can be purely for fun. Don't take your results too seriously at first... do it for a laugh. The majority of 'inventions' that are actually patented are fairly silly things so don't worry if your first attempts are quite ridiculous.

Two types of invention may be usefully differentiated; The first is the open ended creative design such as grotesque new animal, mysterious monument or entrancing garden in which we use our life experience to produce something origional and unique. The second has very particular goals and usually a very specific function. e.g. a new tool for peeling potatoes, frightening off burglars, making beds or washing dishes.

First Type: Method - Allow your imagination to produce images associating from the basic idea. Note these images down and be on the look-out for an appropriate structure around which to organise the best of these images. Then image purposefully to fill in gaps. E.g. You decide to design a garden sculpture. You wildly list ideas picturing them vividly in your mind. Thinking of a structure you decide on the four points of the compass. You then pick images from your list that illustrate west, east and north but there is nothing appropriate for South. You then image purposively around the idea of 'south' until an appropriate image emerges.

Second Type: Method - Intensive study is usually necessary in the area chosen unless we already have great knowledge in this area. Methodical thinking goes hand in hand with vivid association of imagery E.g. How would you make traffic lights more responsive to local traffic conditions? Before attempting to think of an actual design think of at least ten completely crazy ideas for achieving this end. You might have to research to find out exactly how traffic lights work at present and if possible the criteria which the designers were working to. other automotive control reading will probably be in order but perhaps the technology from another discipline will provide the key association.

Designing a potato peeler you might be able to use knowledge from your own domestic experience. It is perhaps better to choose such a subject for your first excercise as the required information can be obtained from convenient and direct observations.

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: Self Imaging Situations Conscious imagination facilitates the achievements of real effects through catalysing the intuition (whole mind). Goaded into action in a willed and worried way the mind operates in a linear and often clumsy manner. Catalysed by an image the multi-dimensional and roundabout ways of the mind are exploited to their fullest. Results may be achieved in subtle ways. For example:

1. Interview (being self-assured socially). Imagine yourself at an interview. You are completely in control. The interviewers have expressions of amazement as you tell them your capabilities. They are extremely friendly and seem genuinely interested in everything you say. You ask several questions, etc.

2. Redecorating the House. (i.e. getting something done). You come home and change into painting clothes. Up the ladder straight away, you chip the old paint off whistling merrily until it gets too dark to continue. Getting up early the next morning you just have time to put on a coat of primer whilst listening to 8 o'clock news, before the rushing off to work. That evening the undercoat goes on followed by the top coat next morning.

3. Confidence in the face of intimidating power structures. Imagine seeing the mayor about your housing situation - he can't help but the chief housing officer is impressed and not a little apprehensive at your air of authority; he steps in and assures you he could provide property for your Housing Coop. Then, you leave and make an appointment to see your boss later in the day. She can only see you for a few minutes but says she has enjoyed listening to your suggestions. You return to your office and call a quick meeting to put everybody in the picture... etc.

4. Write 5 or 6 outline scenarios, perhaps a bit longer than the ones above, about areas in which you would like to change or get things done. Realistic scenarios which are just one step away will produce results easier than 'impossible' dreams - a powerful trained imagination can achieve incredible feats of self-redirection.

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: Self Imaging - Generalised -Assumption We are all fundamentally self-confident, highly and flexibly talented, and capable of learning anything efficiently. It is only negative conditioning and the suppression of natural reflexes (such as the emotional outlets of anger and fear) that have obscured our power.

We may use imaging to regain a picture of how we actually are and, at least to some degree, by-pass the wrong conditioning. The more strongly we more can entertain an affirmative image of ourselves, the more effectively will we counter the pressure of incorrect conditioning.

(see also [EMOTION]).

A Personal Self-imaging Guide

• I am pleased to be me, to consider myself gives me a warm glow of satisfaction.

• I find no fundamental conflict between myself as an autonomous and yet co-operative being.

• The hurts and mistakes of the past are finished and I bear no grudges to interfere with my future progress.

• I am a creative power - I make things happen.

• I am a caring, loving, sensual being.

• I will get all the support I require if I think and ask clearly.

• My days are filling with sensual pleasure and stimulating thought.

• There's plenty of time.

• Nothing diverts me from what needs to be done.

• Fear cannot stop me, I shake it off like water off a duck's back.

• As I breathe easily my body adapts and repairs.

• I do my best at any moment, suggestions to the contrary are not my problem.

• My actions are effective in the world.

• My thoughts get straight to the point.

• Not a moment of my life is wasted.

• There is nothing (about me) in the way of me getting all I need from life.

• Limitations of cultural or gender stereoptyes will not stand in the way of me claiming my full human heritage.

• I am not intimidated by values which I do not myself hold.

• I value the respect of people attained through sticking with the truth rather than the collusions of timid men.

• Crying is a sign of manly strength not weakness.

You must design your own individually tailored affirmative imaging guide. Write your directions in your own language to contradict the particular mis-conditioning that you have suffered. Repeat them (10-20 times) and note sympathetic imaginative effects that arise. The imagery may then itself be repeated or reified (i.e. translated into a real thing e.g. a picture).

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: Materialisation The vividly imagined desire motivates mental processes which seem to produce concrete results, in a roundabout and often difficult to follow way.

Method:

1. A firm decision must be made as to what you want. The object or condition is then imagined as already there.

2. You must be clear about your motivations.

3. Set a scene in the imagination. Be in it.

4. Imagine your desired object or activity as being present in this scene and in active use.

5. Imagine the wish is fulfilled. There is a feeling of inner contentment.

6. Release the whole scene like a bubble. Let it 'float away'.

7. Rest, sleep if possible. Don't 'disturb the seeds'.

8. Have faith. Continue to work for your objective in rational ways as best you can. Be alert but not constantly expectant.

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: Moving from Dreaming to Imagination It is useful to be able to move from a wild day dream to a controlled articulation of imagery.

Prepare as for day dreaming (link) Set an alarm clock or egg timer to go off in 2 or 3 minutes. When the timer goes off select the current subject of your dreaming and explore it imaginatively. Make it as 'real' as possible. If it is an abstract concept - bring to mind a range of image associations.

Being able to snap out of a day dream and consciously consider a topic that has arisen is of great use. After some practice forgo the alarm and 'snap out' spontaneously, note down subject and diagramatically map associated images.

Note: Advanced skill. The reverse process may also be useful. To be able to daydream for controlled periods at appropriate points in a conscious thought process. Appropriate points are places where complex muddle or lack of ideas has made issues unclear or solutions not forthcoming. Also requires skill at speedy relaxation.

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: Distancing Ants Eye - Bird's Eye An exercise to practice the imaginative capacity to see the world from different points of vantage. This exercise is best done in a group. Select a well known place in your town; a market square, Town Hall, park, office block etc. Describe the place spontaneously from the points of view of:

1. a baby in a pram

2. a ballonist

3. truck driver

4. newspaper seller

5. police person

6. young child of 3

7. an ant

8. a merchant banker

9. a councillor

Take two or three minutes on each viewpoint. The number of viewpoints may be reduced if there are several people in the group or time is limited. The group also needs to be relaxed to get the kind of insights this exercise can immediately produce.

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: Inner Guardian A realistic persona, may be created by your own mind who may then be asked for advice or guidance when your own judgement needs 'support' or can't see the wood for the trees. It seems that such a construct can bypass certain types of mental block (e.g. confusion or lack of confidence) and produce valid thought not available by direct self-enquiry. Some people claim super normal powers for their guardian angels - but it must be remembered that the power of a guardian is limited by what is really possible from your own mind and body. Seemingly super-natural guardians are therefore demonstrating how much of our total power is occluded by a maltreated consciousness.

To make yourself a guardian build up a conceptual model in great . detail. First choose a guardian type you like (wizard, angel, fairy, genie, witch etc.) and can hold in your imagination easily. Then elaborate the details of an individual over some time. The character and appearance of the guardian should be developed as 'realistically' as possible. The character should be chosen as one that you can trust and may be modeled on a real person or persons.

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: Inner Guardians and Guides Rather than build up your guide with a conscious imaginal effort it is also possible to create a ritual situation so the 'guru' appears fully grown from the unconscious.

Go to a lonely abyss or cave. Rub one small stone over a large one in the direction of the sun. Continue for 3 days. After the third day a spirit you can talk to will emerge from the rock. Naranjo 1971, reported in M. Watkins 1977 p. 107.

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: Getting into Your Imaginary body

With eyes closed. Stretch out your imaginary hand and you see it before you as you would in reality. Raise head and imagine that you see the front of your body, your clothing and shoes. Describe the landscape you see in front of you in your waking dream and then turn your imaginary body around and describe the one to the back of you. from Freligny & Vivel, 1968 in Watkins 1977

Developing your imaginary body is a conceptual tool that allows you to get emotionally involved with your imaginal enviromment. This imaginal ego may have a different appearance to your physical body. The differenees may be slight or you may find yourself in the guise of a different species of being. It is good to make a detailed drawing of this imaginal body.

More advanced work with the imaginary body

The imaginary body (which is your vehicle for travel in imaginal space) may be given a home/base and put to work in various ways. For instance it may be put in charge of the 'life programs input tapes console' in the cranial control centre.

Be sure that any fantastic extensions of this fantasy are symbolic of realistic expansions of your own power and control. These can take the form that most excites you.

BEST KEPT SIMPLE - DANGER OF GETTING LOST (The royal road to madness!)

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: Creative Play - Invention Pair off with a young person (e.g. 18 months or younger). Gather a few harmless objects from the corners of the miscellaneous drawer. Forget any original specific function those objects may have had. Watch each other play with the objects and exchange approach. How many different ways will the obejcts fit together, bang down, balance, be sucked, spin, drop, open up, make noise, take apart, move past.

Note: Much play uses the imagination directly with present perception. An egg on the table seems to grow horns and become the head of a Viking warrior. We are not hallucinating - but possibilities do become vividly evident to us before they are so concretely. The Improvisation exercises provided in the [INTUITION], section will mostly serve as a basis for such imaginative play.