Last week's column introduced the idea that we are leading two lives – a waking life and a dream life -- and that there is special value to paying attention to our dream life for its own sake. This week’s column focuses on how easy it is to enrich your dream life.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of your Waking-self and your Dream-self are very different. In waking life, you don’t often end up in dark alleys, on the edges of cliffs, or without your clothes in the middle of a meeting. For the Dream-self, those incidents would not be unusual; Your Dream-self has different kinds of challenges. Often your Dream-self is also less talented and resourceful than you are.

Your task is to care for and help the person who lives your dream life while you sleep.

But how is that done?

Think of your dreamer as a dear but not always bright friend who talks to you on her cell phone whenever the need arises.

For example, she calls to say, "I was driving somewhere, I think I was going to a party. I have no idea how, but the car went off the road and I’m stuck in the mud in a ditch. I don't know what to do.” She has no idea that she is dreaming. It is real to her in the moment.

It's right now, she's on the phone, and she wants to know what to do about it.

What do you say to her? Remember, this is someone you care about. No matter what scrapes she gets into, this is someone you must support.

Each person would have a different response to this scenario, but most of us would usually feel superior. We are not likely, in our waking life, to end up in a ditch. It takes care and humility to support our Dream-self.

Alex's Dream

I dream I am back at work. There's a meeting I have to go to but I am also going skiing and keep coming back from the Swiss Alps to attend these meetings; it’s exhausting.

The waking Alex had taken a year off work. Her employers had agreed to save her job for her. However, the dream Alex hasn't realized that yet and is quite stressed out.

We held a dialogue with the dream Alex. She was very concerned that the work would not be done to her standards.

Waking Alex: You don't need to go back to work.

Dream Alex: The work will never get done properly if I am not there.

Waking Alex: It's not your problem for the rest of this year. Tell them they will have to manage without you.

Dream Alex: I'm afraid everything will get messed up.

Waking Alex: Tell them you'll sort things out when you get back in a year.

Dream Alex: They don't want me to leave.

Waking Alex: Don't you want to go back to the mountains to relax and ski?

Dream Alex: I do.

Waking Alex: Buy a one-way ticket back to Switzerland and wave goodbye to your colleagues.

Dream Alex: You mean I can do that. OK!

By the end of this (abbreviated) dialogue, the dream Alex was willing to let go of her concerns. The waking Alex, who was delighted to be free of her work, could have viewed the dream Alex as a workaholic. Instead, she had to understand and have compassion for this position, and then address the problem within the the logic of the dream, i.e., that it is possible to shuffle backwards and forwards between vacation and work.

 

Summary

Judged from the outside, the Dream-self is often someone you would disapprove of. Instead, see this quirky person in the world in which she actually lives and summon up your ability to be totally supportive of her.

The power of the techniques described in these columns all derive from the relationship you create with your Dream-self.

Next week, we will explain some of the specific benefits of treating the Dream-self with this kind of respect. Dialogues with your Dream-self can give you access to alternative perspectives about your entire life (waking and dreaming), that the Waking-self may not see on her own.

 

NEW DIAL-IN DREAM GROUPS

On Monday, October 9th and Tuesday, October 10th I will again be holding more 1-hour dream groups on a telephone conference call. These are currently free and are experimental as I learn how to handle the challenge of a group without being able to see anyone.

Whether you live far away or close by, a phone group allows you to get a sense of dream work in a very convenient way. With this new work, I hope to communicate the pleasure and the excitement of dream work to many people.

 

• Day: Monday October 9th
• Time: 5pm-6pm Pacific Daylight Time
• Dial-in Number: 620-782-2200 (Kansas)
• Access Code: 707172#

 

And

 

• Day: Tuesday October 10th
• Time: 7pm-8pm Pacific Daylight Time
• Dial-in Number: 620-782-2200 (Kansas)
• Access Code: 707172#

 

 

DREAM GROUPS

My dream groups are back again in full swing. The Saturday drop-in group ($20) is from 10 am to noon at 2315 Prince Street in Berkeley. The nearest major cross street is Ashby and Telegraph. Please let me know if you are coming.

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Best wishes

David Jenkins

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