Embodied Experiential Dreamwork
Dreams offer us a unique way to access parts of ourselves that are normally hidden from our normal, waking state. By working with dreams in an embodied way, we can connect to, understand and work with these parts, as well as tap into powerful personal resources that may have gone unclaimed.
The Embodied Way
In embodied experiential dreamwork, we pay particular attention to the felt-sense of the dream – the unique feelings, sensations and emotions that arise as we re-connect to the dream. By giving priority to the felt-sense we are able to engage with the dream on a more fundamental level than if we were to solely pay attention to its images, ideas and stories. By working with the dream in this way we are able to experience profound, personal shifts.
One of the key principles of this approach to dreaming is that dreams normally attempt to bring us help in some form. And, what’s more, this help will be tailor made for us, the individual. When working with the dream, we connect to the help and allow it to bring transformation and understanding. Doing this will also allow us to confront difficult elements in the dream (such as in a nightmare) and to move through them.
Dreamwork sessions last for about 60 minutes and usually involve the following:
- Giving a brief summary of the dream and consideration of obvious messages it may have
- An in-depth re-entry into the dream, speaking from the first person perspective in the present moment
- Connecting to helpful. supportive elements present in the dream, paying particular attention to the body’s response
- Approaching difficult, challenging or confusing elements, allowing understanding and insight into them to arise
- Allowing the dream to evolve to a new resolution
Case Studies
Dream 1 (mine)
I am sitting in an armchair in an empty room. Suddenly, I notice that there are two women standing to my left. They are pointing to my chest. I look down and see that there is a large, bright jewel sitting over my heart. I have not seen it before. [Dream ends]
I retell this dream in the present tense. As I do so, more details emerge. My dream guide asks me to describe the environment and to notice what sensations I’m experiencing. As I describe the jewel, I notice a warm feeling in the region of my heart. I stay with this feeling, focussing on it. Suddenly, my body is flooded with a powerful love that I have never experienced before.
Dream 2 (J’s)
I am in my department building at work. I have not been happy here lately. Suddenly, the environment shifts and I am now in a spacious, luxurious apartment. It’s a lovely place, with warm-coloured decorations and soft, comfortable furniture. A friendly woman is there. She tells me I’m welcome to use this room at any time. I look at the door and see that the room is called ‘Here,’ and its number is 247. [Dream ends]
As we go through the dream, I ask Jan to describe it in as much detail as possible. I ask her what feelings she notices in the body as she stands in the apartment. ‘There is a sort of warmth in my heart,’ she responds. I mention the name and number of the room – ‘Here, 24/7.’ The meaning becomes clear to Jan and she goes silent. Then she begins to gently cry. I leave her for a little while, allowing this wave to move through her. Afterwards, she describes how she realised that there is a place within her that is loving, that is always present, and which allows her to feel many things that have been held back, waiting for a safe, caring environment.
These two examples are quite dramatic, but most dreams have the potential to transform us in some way – big or small. You’ll also notice the importance of reliving the dream in the present, of connecting with a helpful element and of paying attention to the felt-sense. By engaging with the dream in this way, powerful shifts were experienced. And one other important point: if these dreams had not been engaged with in the waking state, it’s likely that the help they were bringing may have gone unclaimed.
Tips for dream recall
- Keep a dream journal. As soon as you are able, when you wake up, write down all that you can remember. The more you write, the more you’ll remember. Dreams are like letters from a friend: if you ignore them, she’ll stop writing; if you open and read them, she’ll write more.
- Draw your dreams. Similar to writing them down, but possibly more effective as dreams are very visual experiences.
- Keep a dedicated sleep schedule and make sure you get enough. Dreams often get more vivid towards the end of a long night’s sleep.
- Practice meditation. It will help you to develop your awareness, which can lead to more vivid dreams and to better recall.
Recommended Reading
Let Your Body Interpret Your Dreams
Thomas Hurst 