People have believed in an afterlife since as least the time of the Neanderthals who buried the dead with flowers, jewelry, and utensils, most likely for use in the next world. And for just as long, people have recognized that our departed loved ones … [Read more...] about Connecting with the Other Side during Dreams
Dreaming of Fairies and Connecting to the Ecological Self
Not long ago, I was doing a nature meditation practice at my usual creek-side spot by the sycamore tree and became aware of the strong presence of a small spring that joins the creek. This mingling of waters became my meditation. Later, I found the … [Read more...] about Dreaming of Fairies and Connecting to the Ecological Self
Dream Journaling is Mindfulness
I had an interesting conversation with dream researcher Kelly Bulkeley recently about the benefits of keeping a dream journal. Having a record of our dreams is incredible, as we usually forget even our previously recalled dreams otherwise. When we … [Read more...] about Dream Journaling is Mindfulness
Trauma in Drag: Dreams of LGBTQ+ Youth
Dreamwork so often leads to trauma work, both our own and of others. Mass trauma is much the same, with common themes appearing in the dreams of those who have suffered through the worst cruelties of humanity. I saw many repeated patterns when … [Read more...] about Trauma in Drag: Dreams of LGBTQ+ Youth
8 Common Signposts for Identifying Health-Related Dreams
When we think of dreams, we usually expect them to offer insights about our psychological health and well-being. Rarely though do we think that they may offer credible guidance regarding our physical health and well-being. And yet the Body Wisdom … [Read more...] about 8 Common Signposts for Identifying Health-Related Dreams
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door: The Line Between Realities
The line between the world we experience in dreams and the one we experience while awake seems to be clear. You cross it when you wake up and open your eyes to the real world, and the one you leave, that seems to exist only in your mind while … [Read more...] about Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door: The Line Between Realities
Lucidity is not the same as Dream Control
Despite the constant repetition in popular media that lucid dreaming is “controlling your dreams,” these two concepts are not the same. One can be lucid and not “in control” of either the dreambody or the dreaming environment, just as one can … [Read more...] about Lucidity is not the same as Dream Control
2022 Year in review: Renewal
2022 has been a year of renewal for myself and the Dream Studies empire. It's been a long time since I did a year in review... I believe 2018 was the last one. Wow, but not surprising: in the last four years, the dreaming has been very much a side … [Read more...] about 2022 Year in review: Renewal
Breaking the Silence about Sleep Paralysis
Since the 1970s autoethnographies have been used by researchers to explore and reflect upon different aspects of a personal experience. As more people are today aware of the sleep paralysis phenomena, I write in autoethnographic style, feeling no … [Read more...] about Breaking the Silence about Sleep Paralysis
Dreams, Liminal Objects and Magical Thinking
It may reek of new age sentimentality, but the ability of talisman to traverse the worlds is really effective. Using a talisman as a dream tool is an efficient strategy because the dreamworld is precisely where magical thinking works. It’s the … [Read more...] about Dreams, Liminal Objects and Magical Thinking