Dream
Sharing, Dream Re-entry, Dream Tracking - Part 1
By Earthwalker
Spirit Lodge, I thought I
might share an experience from this past Sunday. I went
to Robert Moss's workshop at Still Point Interfaith
Retreat Center in Stillwater NY entitled "Reclaiming
the Ancient Pathways", a beginner's course in dreaming.
I went to this seminar with high expectations after
reading "Dreamways of the Iroquois"; a book
I loved for the most part except for a couple of chapters
and after reading an earlier book which I didn't care
for entitle "Conscious Dreaming". This was
a first for me in terms of discussing any of these path
ways outside of the internet. I will also note that
the techniques are paraphrased from this book and experiences
from this teachings during this course.
Still Point is a very small
unsophisticated center run by four sisters and the meeting
house is comfortable, heated by a wood stove with a
huge round window overlooking the ponds and mountain.
The center and the land felt beautiful and warm despite
the snow which added a sense of peace. I met several
of the people who had come the right before and immediately
felt comfortable. There ended up being about 15 people
attending the seminar from a cross section of people
some young and many older as well six NA people attending.
Some were authors themselves others were Reiki practitioners
etc.
Robert opened the circle
with a call to the ancient ones for guidance. A candle
in the center of the room served as fire. Looking out
the window, red tailed Hawks and Turkey vultures amongst
other birds were observed.
Robert's first training was
in synchronicity and was presented as game. He asked
each of us to write on one side of a card something
we had notice, saw or thought about today on our way
here; he then collected them. We were each instructed
to consciously determine what it was that we wanted
to learn from today's workshop and to write down what
it was. We then were asked to draw a card form the pile
of mixed up cards but not look at it. We then journeyed
to a drum to see what we could each bring forth in regards
to our question. Personally I found the drum a distraction
rather than of help but possibly because I was not use
to have a drum going at the pace he was drumming. The
dream I received was beautiful although not shared.
I saw the white eagle flying toward the east bringing
back down to earth a white stream of light. This place
became a circle of stones in which there was fire with
a NA in white with full headdress dancing with rattle
around the fire chanting a song I know but don't know
the words or meaning of. White animals encircled a larger
periphery around the stones protecting the people within.
The center turned into a bluish (but other colors as
well) energy stream coming to the center; a pure black
spider began crawling up, infusing this energy, and
a white web was being spun surrounding the earth. We
were then asked to each share what the journey meant
to us in terms of our question. To me the brief answer
I shared or was willing to share was "healing of
the earth".
We then came back and went
around the circle explaining what we came to answer
and turn over the card in front of us and read it. We
then were asked if the answer on the card answered the
question or had any meaning
to us. The card I had drawn was an observation how beautiful
Saratoga Lake would have looked at the time when it
was surrounded by the Native Americans. This was an
area I was familiar with and I have asked the same question
I regards to many times; why white man seems to destroy
nature as opposed to living with it; it certainly has
meaning to me. Others, most received messages that were
even more clear than mine with the lesson to look for
the synchronicity and messages that we get from unknown
sources.
He then introduced soul
retrieval (shaman going out and bringing back part that
was lost) and soul recovery (teaching individuals to
be able to go back into their own dreams and memories
to bring back the lost pieces). He distinguished between
the two and indicated part of his path was to develop
dream teachers etc. since in the near future he felt
would need many; he did not continue on from there.
We moved on to a discussion
on dreams and why would one go back into the dreams
(Dream reentry). Here he discussed the role of the shaman
in the tribal setting and how webs of shamans went out
to gather information to bring back to ensure the survival
of the tribe. He then continued on that we can tap this
same source of energy and discussed why we may want
to get back into a dream. The reasons given were to
gather additional and helpful information, to meet possible
spiritual guides, to move through nightmares and heal
or resolve problems, to travel to other worlds and go
into a deeper reality. He asked us each to pick a dream
that had some real energy for you to relax and focus
on the dream and go back and remember it is detail.
He suggested that we each focus on a specific scene
from the dream, clarify your intention, ask for guidance
and used a drum to fuel the reentry. He then asked if
anyone cared to share a dream. Appropriately he choose
an individual that was having a very hard time in the
mundane life, had a dream and asked if she cared to
share her dream. Using her dream he used the following
techniques which are presented "The Shaman at the
Breakfast Table" page 173.
Dream
Sharing:
| 1: He suggested that
the dream be shared as a story without attachment
to self. As we do this the power of the storyteller
or communicator is claimed and the story protects
the privacy of the person. He stressed the inappropriateness
of ever using these techniques to probe into others
personal lives. He also suggested that each story
/ dream be given a Title. Synchronicity typically
comes into play here since the deeper meaning of
the dream experience typically comes into focus. |
| 2: The person who is
the helper then reiterates the dream title or asks
that the teller repeat the title. The helper then
asks a series of questions. The first of which is
to ask how the person felt as they woke up? The
reason for this question is that the dreamer's first
emotional responses are important and relate both
the quality and urgency of the dream. The next question
asked should determine if any of the dream might
reflect something occurring or to occur in waking
life. Is the dream all symbolic or is there a reality
to it. He stressed the importance of this and gave
examples of when a dream actually was precognitive
and how recognizing certain elements in life could
in fact save one’s life. Questions such as
do you know any of the people or places in the dreams.
After exploring these question the helper then asks
if the dreamer to provide a clear focus of what
they would like to know about the dream. |
| 3. Following this the
helper tells the dreamers of the association they
felt as the story was told. This provided a different
perspective for the dreamer of a different way of
looking at the dream. He suggested that the helper
always preface this with respect in indicating that
if this was my dream I would look at x and x. he
also cautioned after one woman asked a personal
question that that should never be done. This was
to share what to be looked at but never to ask direct
questions in an open forum where individuals do
not know one another. Respect again was stressed. |
| 4. All things needed
to end with action so after the guidance from one
or many helpers the primary helper asks of the dreamer
what action was to be taken. Suggestions could be
a writing, a physical action, an advisory or his
favorite to write a personal motto from the dream.
Robert stresses that if we don't do something with
it in waking life we miss out on the natural magic
of having of bringing things through from deeper
reality; the helper might such a motto was well
if the dreamer can't come up on one. |
At this stage one has only
looked at the details specific to the dream or the dreamer
and recommendation should be specific to those details.
He labels this as "lightening dream" work
and individuals who do this routine as "dream helpers".
His feelings are that these individuals serve individuals
by giving them a safe place to share and honor their
dreams.
Sometimes the dream doesn't
provide enough clarity to answer the real meaning and
this may lead into Dream reentry. In dream reentry one
travels back into the dream for clarify or to possibly
meet guides to further understanding. Dream reentry
is permits one to explore the landscape in greater detail
and with all senses attuned to it. It can lead to a
place beyond the nightmare and can lead to healing or
conflict resolution. It can also be sued to travel through
personal doorways to other worlds. If a partner or helpers
are available tracking dreams can be used along with
dream reentry. For clarity they are broken out below
but would be done concurrently.
Preparing
for Dream Re-entry:
| 1. The dreamer picks
a dream with real energy (exciting, seductive, challenging
etc.) . The dream is retold to oneself or out load
if using helper(s) for tracking. |
| 2. Relax and once relaxed
focus on a specific scene of the dream and fell
all of your sense within the dream. |
| 3. Clarify your intentions
in terms of what you want to know and what you intend
to do once back in the dream |
| 4. Call in guidance
and protection if you wish |
| 5. Give yourself fuel
for the journey such as drum or music. |
| 6. Journey into the
dream |
Preparing for
Tracking Dreams:
| 1. Robert stressed that
Always on must first ask permission to share the
dream space with the person. This is something that
would never be done without permission. Always,
one needs to be sure that the dreamer wishes that
which is to be seen be shared with them. Never is
something shared without asking first. |
| 2. The intent of the
tracker is to "enter the dreamer's psychic
space through the portal of a shared dream in order
to gather helpful information, support the dreamer
and perhaps assist the dreamer in moving beyond
to healing and resolution". It is not to interpret
but to put yourself inside of it. |
| 3. The tracker needs
to ask questions that can are the setting to the
dream the weather, the colors, the details of the
landscaped, a travelers diary. The tracker also
needs to know the dreamers intention. What does
the dreamer want to know and what does the dreamer
want you to do. Does the dreamer want you to share
your impressions? Does the dreamer want you to help
support the dreamer by bringing your own allies
to support the dreamer in confronting and adversary.
Does the dreamer want you to help her/him bring
back a lost part of her/himself (soul recovery).
In this one day (six hour course) we only addressed
the first aspect bringing back shared impressions. |
| 4. Have the dreamer
repeat the dream with all of the energy that can
be summoned. Repeat 2-6 above. |
| 5. Compare notes so
that the dreamer can come up with and action plan
to honor the dream |
The above were the techniques
introduced in this introductory course. They seemed
to me very similar to that which we have been shown
here albeit to me from a more secular perspective; yet
it was great to see and experience them with others.
I also found it interesting to see how so many can see
the same thing from different elements; that's was a
major understanding that came to me. Personally although
there was respect in all of that which was presented,
I missed the focus on the sacredness of these pathways
and gifts. Nevertheless, Robert was very entertaining
and that perspective was good for me to see. I learned
the practical application of these pathways and gifts
we have been given. I learned to trust in synchronicity.
I learned that my instincts about parts of Robert's
books were correct and that while there was much I like,
there was caution as well. In other I learned to discriminate
and trust my instincts about potential teachers. Most
important I learned I was comfortable in these settings
but that my real teachers are those we work with in
other realms. I realized just how far I have come in
understanding while fully acknowledging how much I still
need and want to learn. It was a very powerful experience
for me. An experience I was guided to, one that I was
initially somewhat disappointed in, but also one that
I will be forever grateful for. Robert will not be a
long term teacher for me yet I do appreciate so much
that was given to me through him.
Possibly could others share
their experience or knowledge about Dream Sharing, Dream
Reentry, and Dream Tracking. I found the practically
of these techniques very interesting and potentially
worthwhile. Does anyone have anything to add or discuss
about them. Obviously I don't have in depth knowledge
since I basically saw them used with one person only.
CinnamonMoon:
Earthwalker, Thank
you for sharing this experience with us. I'm looking
forward to the community responses since this is something
I tend to just "do" in my own ways, I'm going
to wait to comment on that. These are wonderful points
though, and I'm pleased to see Robert stressed the respect
aspect of this type of work. I fully agree with him
on those points. In private when
you do this with someone it goes much deeper, but this
is excellent for an introduction to the processes IMHO.
Earthwalker:
Cinnamon, The techniques
were interesting but note this was a beginner course.
He has other 3-5 day advance courses as well as a three
year programs for teachers. For me I just wanted to
experience and meet people I could actually see and
touch. This entire mundane process was very new to me.
The workshops I typically attend are on analytical chemistry
and people sit in chairs in rows not on pillows in a
circle on the floor.
The depth of the dreams are
quite deep. When I went into the tracking phase I first
saw the woman who had telephoned as a Madonna radiating
with light. I then saw the white tree of life collapsing
on a cliff (into the West South) and then a White bird
pulling the tree or person on the tree into and making
connection with the energy of Spirit. In reality what
was being shown was that this woman’s husband had
both emotional and physical problems but that the cure
was through a spiritual healing or healing of the heart.
Others came to the same conclusion but the saw the same
thing as fire burning into the heart but that was healing
in and of itself. Robert thought and felt that there
would be a cure for this woman's husband and added a
few more secular connotations that I didn't see. It
was interesting to see what others saw from the various
pieces of the dream.
PART
2
