Dream Imagery
as Healing Energy: Techniques from the IASD Cancer Project
Tallulah Lyons is the
author of Dream Prayers, Dreamwork as a Spiritual Path.
She facilitates dreamwork and teaches mind/body techniques at The
Wellness Community in Atlanta, GA. She and Wendy Pannier are
implementing a second-year grant to IASD from the Lloyd Symington
Foundation to expand their work in cancer support communities
across the country.
Wendy Pannier has
conducted workshops and dream groups with cancer patients for the
past 10 years. She is currently President of IASD. She and
Tallulah Lyons are implementing a second-year grant to IASD from
the Lloyd Symington Foundation to expand their work in cancer
support communities across the country.
Abstract
One can be healed on many levels,
regardless of the physical diagnosis, and dreams offer such
healing potential. Current studies are showing that cancer
patients who work with their dreams on a regular basis report an
enhanced quality of life, including a sense of emotional and
spiritual wellbeing.
Under
grants from the Lloyd Symington Foundation and H. M. Bitner
Charitable Trust in 2005, Wendy Pannier and Tallulah Lyons
developed materials and formats, and implemented a dream program
for those facing cancer. This year, under second-year grants, five
additional IASD members are learning the methodology and expanding
the work in different areas of the country. Next year, IASD will
apply for a larger grant for further expansion of this work. One
of the goals of the project is to raise awareness of the healing
power of dreams and nightmares and to establish dream work as a
viable complementary/integrative healing modality.
Recent research demonstrates that there are complex
interrelationships among behavioral, neural, endocrine and immune
processes. Studies affirm the effectiveness and demonstrate the
physiological changes brought about by visualization techniques.
Generic guided imagery visualization tapes by people such as
Belleruth Naparstek are covered by major health care providers or
funded by pharmaceutical firms.
What
is unique about the work of this IASD Cancer Project is that it
uses recognized and proven modalities of support groups and
visualization techniques and takes them to the next level by
personalizing them with the individual’s own dream imagery. When
dream images are used in guided imagery exercises, they are more
personal, more on target, and therefore more effective than those
that might be suggested in commercial scripts and tapes. We
emphasize that when dream work is done in a deeply relaxed,
meditative state, we create the conditions for maximum functioning
of the body’s innate healing system.
Work
with a cancer patient’s dream imagery falls into two primary
categories: facilitating the “evolution” of disturbing dream
experiences (e.g., those from nightmares) and working to integrate
the evolved healing dream imagery. The workshop will show
participants how to do both.
Based
on the principle that nightmares bring to consciousness issues
that are of critical importance for survival, we have theorized
that transformed nightmare imagery correlates with transformed
emotions that are of critical importance for health and wholeness.
Our work is showing that imagery evolved from nightmares can be
used effectively with visualization techniques aimed at pain
reduction, treatment and recovery. As documented by Patricia
Garfield, PhD, as one goes through a healing process, the dream
imagery that evolves is experienced as more positive. Positive
healing imagery can then be enhanced and integrated through the
use of meditative visualization techniques which we will
demonstrate and have participants use. Participants will have the
opportunity to experience two meditative imagery exercises that
are taught as part of the IASD Cancer Project. They are applicable
to all types of healing, not just cancer. Our hope is that more
IASD members will be inspired to become a part of the project as
it expands.
