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ABSTRACT

FOUNDER'S WORKSHOP

Doing Dream Work As A Pastoral Councellor/Chaplain, With Special Reference To The Spiritual Significance Of Nightmares: A Practical, Hands-On, Interfaith Perspective

Reverend Doctor Jeremy Taylor, D.Min., S.Th.D. (hon)

PRECIS: Throughout the sacred narratives of the world, there are many compelling stories of God and the gods communicating with human beings in their dreams. The most distressing "nightmares" are often revealed to be the most important and urgent messages coming directly from the Divine. Job is not the only holy character who is "affrighted with visions" in his sleep - visions that come directly from, and reveal deep truths about his true relationship with God. Even today, Pastoral Counselors and Spiritual Directors, who work with individuals and people in congregations, as well ad Chaplains who work with distressed populations in hospices, shelters, hospitals, and prisons, are often presented with dreams that seem horrible at first hearing, but which when worked through with the dreamer turn out to be amazing invitations and doorways to inner peace and reconciliation. Most often, dreams assume the shape and feel of nightmares because they have particularly important gifts to deliver, and they need to get our attention. Working primarily with dreams presented by the workshop participants, (both their own and their client's), we will explore some of the archetypal resonance's of nightmare imagery and experience, and try out various techniques for overcoming fear and repugnance and discovering the gifts of spiritual knowledge and communion with the Divine that lie hidden in every dream - especially in every nightmare.