Abstract Index Conference Index

ABSTRACT

Bridge Between Dreaming and Waking Realities.

Maria VOLCHENKO (Moscow, RUSSIA), Ph.D. in Philosophy and Logic, dream practitioner and teacher, artist, poet, author of the book "Prisoners of Dreams", a member of Tos-Deer (the Russian Federation Central Religious Organization of Tuvan Shamans), a founder of Russian Foundation for Transpersonal Psychology, ASD member.

E-mail: socol@orc.ru
Moscow RUSSIA

Summary of Presentation.
The workshop offers tools and rituals to try dream re-entry as creating and crossing the bridge to dream reality. These tools, techniques, and rituals are mostly based on Russian Slavic and Siberian pagan traditions. Original records of Tuvan shaman drumming are used.

Learning Objectives.
A) Specify three learning objectives of the presentation and
B) three evaluation questions which participants should be able to answer after attending the presentation (this is for the use of the ASD's Continuing Education credit program).
A) 1. Cross-cultural research (Russian Slavic and Siberian traditions of dream work).
2. Modern use of pagan dream work tools.
3. Dream journey as shaman journey.
B) 1. What are the qualities of safe space for dream journeys?
2. What are rituals and objects used for tuning dreams?
3. How dreams can be used for creative work?

Abstract.
The workshop offers an experience of dream journey in a space and state of consciousness prepared, protected, and supported by special tools and rituals. The author's experience of dream work with both western type people and people who still live in the pagan tradition enables her to use those techniques of dream work that make pagan dreamers much more successful than western ones.

The tools used for tuning and incubating dreams are taken mostly from Russian Slavic tradition, as well as from traditions of Russian Gypsy and Siberian tribes. The main idea here is to invoke a natural human creativity that transforms plain familiar objects into ritual sacred ones. The invocation of this state of mind is one of the first steps into a twilight zone where the bridge to dream reality is situated.

A real dream journey is taken alone. Each participant of the workshop takes his/her own dream path as if he/she were completely alone. The choice of a dream to work, incubate, and tune are very important in forming strong intention and being open to the journey. Some objects and techniques can be used to support the intention and to strengthen concentration. The facilitation of the journey includes energy support, protection, guiding over the bridge, and support for waking up in the twilight zone. Unique and original recordings of shaman drumming and singing will be used.

Dreams as a source of energy, information, and creative ideas deserve special rituals to honor them and to keep their energy. In the case of nightmares the energy should be purified first. Some dreams call for plain physical action, while others need shamanic ritual. The ritual will be done for a volunteer. Creative approaches to modern pagan rituals for dream work will be offered for final discussion.