September 2013
The Wisdom of Your Dreams
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Jeremy Taylor, D.Min.
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In This Issue
Article: Dreams and Physical Health
Upcoming Events and Workshops
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Article: 
 
Dreams and Physical Health... 
Traditional Chinese Medicine


  

As most of you who work with dreams know, dreams reflect our physical health. For example, problems in dreams involving "horses" and "houses" are so often carriers of specific symbolic information about physical health that it's always a good idea to ask the dreamer whether this might be true once again. And, whenever the seemingly stable nature of the world the dream creates as "background" suddenly reveals itself to be unreliable and unpredictable, it's once again such a frequent marker for "warnings" about physical health that it's worth looking at such an image with that connection in mind.   

 

This information regarding the dreamer's physical health nestles within the larger truth that all dreams come in the service of health and wholeness and speak a universal language of symbol and metaphor. If a dream is remembered at all, it means that the dreamer's waking mind is being offered a potentially healing role to play in the further unfolding of the physical health issues the dream has brought to conscious attention.

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine is founded on a  

series of ancient texts that lay out the basic conceptual framework of the Five Element medical healing tradition.  

 

These texts talk in considerable detail about the central importance of dreams remembered from sleep, and the role dreams play in diagnosis and choice of treatment modalities, (including acupuncture and the selection and proper preparation of herbal medicines). Illness is understood to be the consequence of various imbalances and "movements" among the five foundational life energies or "elements".

 

Despite this clear emphasis on paying serious attention to dreams, (both the client's dreams, and the dreams of the practitioner), dreams are seldom   acknowledged, let alone taught, in Chinese medicine schools here in the West.

 

I am greatly indebted to my friend and colleague, Bob Quinn, a Chinese Medicine practitioner and teacher, as well as a skilled dream worker, for making it possible for me to experience the intersection of dream work and Chinese medicine. These experiences  have led me to conclude that Chinese Five element medical theory appears to be an expression of archetypal patterns in the dreams of people who have little or no conscious knowledge of the existence or nature of what Carl Jung termed "archetypes of the collective unconscious."  

 

Bob recently arranged two weekend events where he and I focused on introducing and teaching archetypal group projective dream work - primarily to students and practitioners of Chinese medicine enrolled or teaching in institutions promoting and training people in Chinese medicine in Oregon.

 

Both workshops also attracted dreamers who were not familiar with the Five element foundation of traditional oriental medicine, but whose enthusiasm about the practice of archetypal group projective dream work led them to want to understand this seemingly "exotic" connection between dreams and Chinese medicine.

 

The Five Elements:  

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

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Those of us who were raised in the West are likely to be familiar with the ancient "Four element" theory of healing. This theory proposed that everything in the universe is composed of various combinations and balances among the four basic elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

  

In China, (and other nations throughout Asia that have been profoundly influenced by Chinese thought and culture), the basic idea is that everything is made of different blends, balances, and movements of five basic elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. 

 

I was initially surprised that "air" is not on this list but later understood that for the prac tical purposes of Five element medicine, "air" is so deeply associated with "metal" that it can be understood as a specific extension of that element.

 

In both of the workshops we drew names out of a bowl to select the dreams we would focus on. As a result, there was a fairly even balance of Chinese medicine students and non-students chosen for group work with their dreams.  

 

It was not surprising that the dreams shared by the Chinese medicine students and practitioners contained many specific references to various "movements" and "balances" of the traditional Chinese five elements. We all dream about our literal waking life activities and our dreams provide symbolic implications of those activities that reflect our psycho-spiritual levels (particularly the less conscious aspects of our internal life).  

 

What surprised me deeply, during both weekend workshops, was that when the oriental medicine students and practitioners focused on the dream accounts from the "regular dreamers," they were frequently able to name physical symptoms and interior mental and emotional states that were not at all evident from simple physical observation in the moment - and these "uncannily accurate" projections were regularly confirmed by the astonished dreamers themselves.

 

When I asked the oriental medicine students and practitioners what (in their imagined versions of the dreams) led them to articulate these specific projections regarding the dreamers' non-obvious physical symptoms and mental-emotional states, it became clear that it had to do with the symbolic implications of how images of earth, metal, wood, fire, and water appeared in the dream narratives.  

 

To name only one example, they noted the literal appearance of "wood" in the narrative, and how the trees and other wooden objects appeared in relation to the other four elements in the dreamers' original narratives. They then associated these images and plot situations with the organs (and organ systems of the body) with which the element "wood" is traditionally connected; then they asked questions of clarification generated by their knowledge of what sort of symptoms and emotional-psycho-spiritual experiences would be likely to be linked with "imbalances" in that organ system.   

   

Time and again these projections were right-on-the-money, as confirmed by the dreamers' amazement. Comments like, "How could you possibly have known that from this dream?" echoed around the room all weekend.

 

The first couple of times this happened it was "merely" synchronous and "spooky." As those of you who have been doing group work with dreams may have noticed, there are often little flurries of synchronicity that appear in the symbolic content of dream work shared across multiple dreams offered by different people. As this pattern of Five element "diagnosis" emerged (and was repeated months later during the second workshop with significant numbers of new Chinese medicine students and non-students) I concluded that the basic metaphors of Chinese Five element medicine must be, in themselves, archetypal patterns, (akin to the archetypal visual image patterns of the Tarot deck, and the archetypal sound patterns of various kinds of music).

 

If I've Missed This, What Else Have I Missed?

As a dream worker I have to ask the question: if I missed this huge archetypal connection for all these years, what else have I missed? Fortunately, I believe that this sort of abruptly expanding self-awareness of how little I know is humbling, healthy, and profoundly "professional." My next task is to attempt to acquire sufficient knowledge, (and wisdom!), to bring this new level of archetypal understanding to my own dream work practice. It may be too late in life for me to go off and learn the complex discipline of Chinese medicine (if I were younger I'd leap at the chance), but I feel the need to find ways to deepen and extend my understanding of Five element Chinese medicine and its intriguing application to understanding the archetypal patterns in our dreams that reflect our physical and spiritual health.

 

I know that all of you reading this are interested in understanding how your own dreams, and the dreams of others work, and most of you are interested in how the body's health and wellness is reflected in our dreams; I am increasingly convinced that we can all enrich our understanding of archetypal patterns by at least some rudimentary knowledge of Five-element Chinese medicine.  

 

If you want to know more, Bob Quinn and I will be offering more workshops. They will be announced on my website Schedule and in future issues of this E-Newsletter.

 
Upcoming Events and Workshops

 
Starryheavens
 

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September 27-29
Tacoma, WA
Using the Power of Dreams to Enhance Creativity and Healing Through Solution-Oriented Group Work and Dream Analysis

 

The Center for Spiritual Living (csltacoma.com) is hosting this weekend workshop with Jeremy.  Open to everyone.

Schedule:
  • Friday: 7:30-9:30pm Lecture: "The Jungian Archetypal Patterns in Dreams" 
  • Saturday: 9:30-4:30pm Experiential Workshop: "Dream Work" 

In the course of working with dreams we'll explore as many of these topics as possible:

-The Spiritual Basis for Working with Dreams

-Therapeutic Dream Work and Social Responsibility

-Working with Your Dreams in Groups

-Interpreting Archetypes in Dreams and Waking Life

-Dreams as Wakeup Calls and "Aha" experiences, and much more!

  • Sunday: 11:00-12noon Service (free) 
Cost: 
$125 ($25 for Friday only)
Box Lunch for Saturday: $6.00

Information and Directions:
253/383.3151 or contact Frances Lorenz: [email protected]

Registration:
Send name, address, email, phone, and check or money order to Center for Spiritual Living, 206 North J Street, Tacoma, WA 98403. You may also pay via Visa or Mastercard (call for instructions):253/383.3151
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October 4-6 
Loveland, CO 
Fall Dream Work Retreat with Jeremy Taylor and Billie Ortiz: 21st Biannual Dream Work Retreat

In this workshop you will discover how ALL dreams come in the service of health and wholeness and speak a universal language. With the help of others' questions and projections, we will unpack multiple layers of meaning in dreamBillie Ortiz and Jeremy Taylors offered by participants. Through the gentle power of the projective method expressed in the "in my imagined version of this dream" format, every dream becomes everybody's dream. The techniques are easy to learn and will be useful in starting and deepening dream groups "back home." Even if you don't remember your dreams this workshop will be inspiring and educational. No experience needed.
Two free 15-min healing sessions provided to each participant. Choose from Hucha Ceremony, M.A.R.I and/or Dream Art Journaling offered by our team of experienced healers and body-workers.  Additional paid sessions also available.   

  

Cost:  

$250

$225 (senior or student discount)

$200 (special group rate)

  

Location:

Residence Inn

5450 McWhinney Blvd

Loveland, CO 80538

 

To register online go to wakeuptoyourdreams.com. To register offline, call Billie Ortiz at 303-929-6122 or email:  [email protected] 

 

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 Two On-Line Dream Work  

Opportunities with Jeremy

   
I. Hidden Wisdom Forums  

 

The Hidden Wisdom Forums are interactive on-line meetings with honored guest speakers on various topics about spiritual growth, where we get to ask the questions.  The first forum meeting was in August, 2013. Jeremy's topic was archetypes in dreams. Jeremy is our speaker for the next forum also:  

 

Oct 22, 4:45-6:45pm Pacific  

7:45-9:45pm Eastern) 

 

To find out more about cost, future meeting dates, and subjects, email the creator of the Hidden Wisdom Forums, (MIPD graduate) Roger Peterson at  [email protected] 

 
II. Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) 
Training Program for Group  
Leaders and Facilitators  
 

More and more innovative and exciting dream work is taking place on the Internet these days. In recognition of this growing movement, the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF), a congregation without walls, is excited to support this work. For the second time, the CLF is hosting an on-line training program for prospective cyber-dream-group leaders and facilitators. 

 

This training program is being designed and taught primarily by the Reverend Jeremy Taylor.  On-line leadership training seminars will be offered to those interested in improving their general dream group facilitation skills, and specifically interested in learning to lead sessions on-line. You can go to clf.uua.org for more information and registration.  You can also email Terri Burnor at [email protected] or Lara Campbell at [email protected]

     

Cost: $300  

  

Program Structure:

  • Begins Week of Sept 30-Oct 6: Technology testing sessions with CLF staff
  • Monday Oct 7, 1-3 PM EASTERN time (10 AM-12 PM Pacific): Working dreams session with Jeremy Taylor
  • Monday Oct 14, 1-3 PM EASTERN time (10 AM-12 PM Pacific): Technology platforms discussions with CLF staff
  • Monday Oct 21, 1-3 PM EASTERN time (10 AM-12 PM Pacific): Working dreams session with Jeremy Taylor
  • Week of Oct 28-Nov 3: Small Group session
  • Monday Nov 4, 1-3 PM EASTERN time (10 AM-12 PM Pacific): Working dreams session with Jeremy Taylor
  • Week of Nov 11-17: Small Group session
  • Week of Nov 18-24: Small Group session
  • Week of Nov 25-Dec 1: Small Group session
  • Monday Dec 2, 1-3 PM EASTERN time (10 AM-12 PM Pacific): Final wrap up and working dreams session with Jeremy Taylor 

One of the first agenda items when the program begins will be to determine the times for the small groups of up to 6 people.  Participants will be asked to submit their availability to us so that we can put folks in groups that work with their schedules.

 

If you would like to do some advance reading for the program, you can view and read the training manual at:

http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/382785-on-line-dream-work-training-manual-ii  

You will also find an option to buy the book at that URL. 

  

We will be using a video conferencing program called  zoom.us.  This program is a free conference service that you can sign up for. Since CLF has a paid account you can simply sign up for the free account.  

  

You'll need an internet connection, speaker, and microphone (built in, plug-in, or wireless).  

 

Supported operating systems are  

IOS 5.0 or later (for media devices) 

Mac OS 10.6 or later (Macs already have built in cameras and microphones)  

Windows 8, 7, Vista with SP1 or later, Windows XP with SP3 or later

  

Webcam Suggestions:

Logitech HD

FreetalkHD

Microsoft HD

Logitech HD Conference Cam   

  

Speakerphones and Microphone Suggestions:

Jabra Speak 510

Clearone Chat 150

Plantronics Calisto 600

      

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Coming Up in November

Nov 1-2

   Albany, CA

Many Angles of Dreams Seminars

 

The second of the 2013 "Many Angles on Dreams Seminars" with Jeremy, organized and sponsored by Bill Pezick in Albany, CA:   

 

Heresies and Reforms  

in the World's Religious Dreams

 

The "heresies" of the world's religions exhibit certain archetypal similarities and patterns. We will take a more conscious look at these patterns, including how they may manifest in our evolving search for deeper meaning in our waking life. As part of our conversation, we will consider some historical examples of religious dreams from sacred traditions, both in the contexts of tradition, protest, and schism, as well as their individual contributions to ambiguities of interpretation, understanding, and meaning.

  

The group is limited to about 14 members, to allow maximum participation and discussion. Focus will be on lecture, questions, and discussion - similar to the Marin Institute for Projective Dream Work (MIPD) advanced seminars of several years ago, with occasional dream work.  If you are a member of MIPD this seminar qualifies for credit in that program.    

 

Schedule:

Friday evening, 7-10pm  

Saturday, 9:30-5:30pm

  

Cost:

$145 for one seminar

The workshop is currently full but you may send a check for $145 to Bill to get on the waiting list. Of course your check will not be cashed if no spot becomes available.Your space is reserved upon receipt of your payment. A check is required to make a reservation.  Mail to:   

Bill Pezick

400 Evelyn Ave, Suite 211

Albany, CA 94706-1375

 

Advance registration is required. Prerequisite: previous work with Jeremy, or permission of Bill Pezick, the convener.  Questions? Contact Bill at [email protected].

  
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Nov 10-14 
Wallingford, PA (near Philadelphia) 
Pendle Hill Retreat Center 

  

Embracing the Shadow Self:  

A short course with Jeremy Taylor

 

Through the lens of dream work, we will explore the shadow side of ourselves - the parts we deny and project onto others. Sometimes these are the traits we find most annoying or even hateful in others, but they may also be the features we admire and idealize in others but deny that we possess ourselves. When we can see and claim our shadow selves, we are better able to meet others as they are rather than as we perceive them - evil or ideal. This helps us to maintain healthy relationships with family and friends, and to be peace builders in a world where "enemies" reflect our collective shadow projections.

 

Cost:  

$570/shared room

$685/private room

$415/commuter

 

Information:

Website: pendlehill.org 

Contact: John Meyer ([email protected])

 

Registration:

To register by phone: 610/566.4507, ext 3, or 800/741.3150 ext 3

To register online:  Pendlehill.org (using MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover card) 

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   Live in Southern California? 


Contact Geoff Nelson ( [email protected]) for info on dream activity in Southern California, including info for those looking for a dream group.

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 All contents copyright Jeremy Taylor 2013