Sleeping on a Problem

''Sleep on it'' is more than just a phrase. It's very good advice. When something is nagging you or there is a difficult decision to make, let your dreams help. Dream incubation, as it is known, will often produce remarkable answers to your questions.

The idea of incubating a dream is very old. The method was passed to the Greeks from the ancient Egyptians. In ancient Greece, people with illnesses would sleep in temples dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing. The dreamer would ask for a dream that would help the doctor-priests cure the patient.

The key elements are to frame a good question, create a receptive state of mind, have your dream, and then work with the dream to uncover the answer.

Creating a question:

The first step is to think about your matter and focus it into a single question. The problem might be something to do with your hopes, your health, abilities, career or relationships.

The question can be a ''big'' one. For example, ''What is the purpose of my life?'' or ''How can I help make this a better world?'' It can be much smaller: ''Should I go home for the holidays?'' You might ask ''Show me how to play better ping pong'' or ''How do I reduce the stress in my lfe?''

I think it is important that the question is about you. If you are concerned about someone else then ask the question from your own point of view: ''How can I help Jackie be happier?'' rather than, ''How can Jackie be happier?''

Questions are best asked in the positive: ''How can I find someone to marry?'' is preferable to ''Why doesn't anyone love me?''

Going to sleep:

Now that you have your question, think about it as you go to sleep. Some people simply ask the question over and over as they drift off. Other people do this in the form of a request: ''Please send me a dream telling me how I can get a better job.''

Waking up:

When you wake up, the answer may just pop up clearly and precisely. More often though, what you get is a subtle point, or a sense of direction that requires some thinking.

Catherine's Dream:

Dream incubation works particularly well for Catherine : "I had gone out on two dates with a guy. I liked him a lot but there was something holding me back that I couldn't put my finger on. Before going to sleep I asked myself if this man would be someone good to date.''

I dreamed I saw him, he was laughing and I heard the word "philanderer"

"Philanderer" was a word Catherine knew but didn't use. The dictionary told her it was someone who plays around, especially a married man. She was taken aback to get such a blunt response. The dream message shocked her into confronting the man, who indeed turned out to be married. That was the end of that relationship.

Elizabeth's dream:

Elizabeth's first attempt at dream incubation was unsuccessful. She felt ambivalent about her career as an elementary school teacher. Elizabeth loved the work but needed to increase her income. She wanted to know whether she should change her career. Her first question posed several alternatives and the next dream simply talked about a clue without even telling her what the clue was. Several nights later she asked the question in the form: ''Should I change my career?''

I dream I am singing. I know I have a beautiful voice. It is a pleasure singing and knowing that my voice sounds good. As I wake up I realize I am singing ''My Funny Valentine.''

There is a line in that song, ''But don't you change one hair for me.'' She instantly understood that as her dream-answer: She should not change her career; this is where she belonged. When expressed as a joyful line in a song, the answer made great sense to her.

Your Turn. Incubating Your Own Dreams:

There are three steps: 1. Construct a brief, positive and direct question about your issue. 2. Focus on your question as you fall asleep. 3. Look for answers to your question in the dream.

When you don't get a crystal clear answer, you can use your imagination. Take each character from the dream in turn, and ask them what they can tell you about your question. Look for ''messages'' in any words that are spoken in the dream (like ''Philanderer''). Tell the dream to someone else. Often the act of telling the dream allows you to hear alternatives in it.

It might take some time to receive an answer and if you do, congratulations. If no clear response is forthcoming, consider asking the question another way.

An Important Note:

Ask your dreams tonight:

What do you want to know about yourself? Try incubating a dream. When it works, dream incubation is an amazing benefit. Some questions will defy all your rational, waking creativity. But you will often find that a dream goes straight to the heart of the matter. You then understand the same set of facts with a brand new sense of what to do.

Announcement:

There are currently openings in David's Tuesday evening dream group. The group is small and meets in a cozy space, perfect for dream work. It is close to Whole Foods on Telegraph Avenue and Ashby in Oakland. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at DAVIDJ@DREAMREPLAY.COM.

Best wishes

Best wishes