Table of Contents

DreamWork: Dream Interpretation

Introduction.................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 1 The Unveiling of DreamWork ................................................... 8 Chapter 2 Inner Wisdom Shares Its Secrets ........................................... 13 Chapter 3 Capturing the Dream .............................................................. 18 Chapter 4 - The Myths of Dream Interpretation......................................... 22 Chapter 5 Dream Symbols Meeting Yourself in a Whole New Way .... 26 Chapter 6 - Revealing the Hidden Meaning in Every Dream ..................... 37 Chapter 7 Lighting the Way Becoming A Dream Guide....................... 57 Chapter 8 - Taking DreamWork into Your World ........................................ 64 Chapter 9 Mastery Expanded Possibilities for DreamWork ................. 73 Epilogue ...................................................................................................... 78 You and DreamWork - The Next Steps .................................................... 80 About the Author ....................................................................................... 86

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Introduction

DreamWork

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Have you ever woken from a dream so vivid that you just knew it contained a critical message for you? Maybe you did your best to make sense of the dream but still felt that a deeper meaning was escaping you. Many of us have had just such an experience with our dreams. If you are pulled to understanding the real meaning of your dreams, your wait is over. Welcome to DreamWork.

A stOry FrOm Bill F. My life seemed to lack meaning. I felt that there was nothing left to care about. I found little to be excited about. How could this be? I had so much going for me. I was young, in my late twenties. I was successful. I had a thriving Internet advertising company. I had a beautiful girlfriend who loved me. Still, something was missing. As I turned thirty, suddenly my company was collapsing due to lost revenues and the dot-com crash of 2001. Imperceptibly, at least to me, I began to close down emotionally. My numbness and distancing from my girlfriend caused a breakup. I would wake up each morning with the prospect of letting go more of my co-workers and the possibility of having to shut down the company. The thought of losing everything I had built sucked the life out of me, both professionally and personally. To escape this ugly reality, if only for a few days, I decided to go to Walt Disney World with my ve- and eight-yearold nieces. I adore them, and I forget my troubles when Im with them. At Disney World, I watched a show about a dream that Mickey had in which he was being held captive by villains. Mickey decided, This is MY dream, and he kicked all the villains out of his life to awaken to a beautiful world of Minnie Mouse and friends.

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Later that day, I received a call from a friend who insisted that I come back to Boulder a day early to join a workshop with David Dibble that involved something called DreamWork. He even gave me some homework called a Dream Assignment. I was skeptical. But there was something about Mickeys dream and this phone call that seemed to be more than a coincidence. I found myself saying yes and, for some reason, even being a little excited.

To be continued...

DreamWork is a body of knowledge that allows us to access and understand the powerful messages that lie subtly nestled in our dreams. With all humility, this body of knowledge is not mine, nor does it belong to anyone. It is given to us by Spirit, God, Pure Consciousness, Higher Mind, Universal Knowing, the One, or whatever designation you give the Spirit that is omnipresent in every human being and every thing. I call this omnipresent intelligence our Inner Wisdom. The rst channel for this knowledge was my brilliant friend and teacher, Dr. lvaro Lopez-Watermann. (More about this incredible human being is presented in the Unveiling of DreamWork chapter.) Over a period of lvaros now almost thirty years of dream research, Inner Wisdom explained what is really happening when we dream, and how to interpret our dreams to receive perfect guidance on this journey we call life. Regardless of what is happening in your life right now, your dreams contain all the information you need to be a happy, fullled, and fully expressed human being. Inner Wisdom not only will tell you why life may be troublesome at times, but also will give you the perfect strategy to resolve lifes most daunting challenges.

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Bills stOry cOntinued.... Over the course of the next three days, we did DreamWork with David. One person after another was shocked to the core and inspired by the immense guidance and insight that came from their dreams. In my dream, a squirrel had been hit by a car. The squirrel was badly injured, and near death. I could not have cared less about the suffering of the squirrel. I thought, Thats just the way life is. A number of messages for me came out of the DreamWork Dream Interpretation. The car that hit the squirrel was my Authoritarian Mindthe rules that I had created for myself that were suppressing my excitement and aliveness. The me in the dream, my Masculine Mind (or my rational mind), had no concern that my Feminine Mind (the squirrel = emotions and feelings) was dying. David explained to me that my Feminine Mind is where all my emotions (including excitement) come from. In a nutshell, my rules for living were killing my emotions and aliveness. My rational mind didnt care, because Thats just the way life is. My life was missing energy and excitement because my rules and rational mind were allowing the part of me that creates meaning and excitement to die. If I let her die, my life would continue to be drab and without meaning. This realization knocked me off my feet. The amazing truth of this dream inspired me like nothing Ive ever experienced. Several more Dream Assignments revealed that I needed to listen to my Feminine Mind and give her attention. I also had to change my rules that suppressed my emotions. So, thats what I did. It was a little weird at rst, and my rational mind wanted to get back to life as usual and ignore my emotions. But each day I peeled back another layer and started to realize what it felt like to feel again. My life started to come back to me in such amazing en-

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ergy and color. My connections with people, including women, overowed like a fountain. I sold my company and began to discover my heart for life and business again. Ive never been a religious person nor had a real sense of spirituality, but DreamWork was the most profound spiritual experience of my life. I see it as a divinely perfect road map to understanding myself, where I can grow and evolve into a happy, energized person with a real connection to our Universal Source. Thank you, Inner Wisdom and David, for introducing me to DreamWork!

I am David Dibble, a spiritual being having the human experience we call life. In my work as a teacher, coach, and business advisor, DreamWork is my most powerful tool for assisting people in transforming their lives. I have been practicing DreamWork for more than seventeen years now. Until recently, I have not felt the need or desire to take DreamWork to a larger audience. However, that has profoundly changed. Inner Wisdom has indicated to me that it is time to take this work into the world in a more expanded way. This book is the rst step in introducing DreamWork to those beautiful dreamers who desire a deeper connection with Inner Wisdom and the messages that the Divine sends us in every dream. In this book, you have the opportunity to explore DreamWork for yourself. As you will soon see, in order to understand the power of DreamWork, we must look at the roles played by both the dreamer and the person who guides the dreamer to the deeper meaning in her dreams. We call this person a Dream Guide. You may resonate with this work in some way. Something in you, a feeling, a gentle intuitive shake, or an inner knowing, may softly urge you to learn more about DreamWork. Some of you may even be pulled to guide others in doing their DreamWork. This book is for both the magnicent ones who dream the dreams and for those who are pulled to guide others into the deeper meaning of their dreams. It is my honor and privilege to share with you this beautiful body of knowledge. With Love and Respect, David Dibble
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Chapter 1

The Unveiling of DreamWork

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For many of us, dreams hold a wonderful fascination. We y. We fall. We meet lovers. We are exalted into our greatest moments and come face-toface with our worst fears. As in a movie, anything can happen in a dream and often does. As bizarre as a dream might be, we often are left with a nagging feeling that it contains some deeper meaning. We wonder what the dream might have been trying to tell us. We might even create a scenario that makes sense of the dream and seems to impart a message. THE HISTORY OF DREAMWORK The basis of DreamWork lies with the history of lvaro Lopez-Watermann. Even as a young man, lvaro had accomplished much. From a start that included being the oldest of 11 children and living in abject poverty in a house with a dirt oor, he became a top student. He attended the University of Texas but was forced to quit the university in his senior year when his student aid was cut in half. Away from college, lvaro yearned to become a photographer and determined that he would somehow attend the best photography school in the land. However, the cost to attend his preferred school, the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, was very high. Most fortunately, a benefactor heard of lvaros dream and provided the funds to attend the prestigious photography school. When lvaro left the school, he landed a most exciting assignment. He would work with labor leader Csar Chvez to create a photo documentary of the variety and richness of Mexican-American culture in the southwestern United States. In the days before he was to depart for this assignment, lvaro realized that there must be a deeper meaning to life and that he would never nd this higher purpose by imposing upon himself the mundane work and family attachments that were considered a normal life. With $1.50 in his pocket, lvaro went missing to explore life with no attachments or expectations from anyone outside himself.

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While traveling in 1975, lvaro met Bill L., an engineer who had been researching personal dreams extensively for more than twenty-six years. Bill had been trying to predict the future through dreams. Trying to decode hundreds of his own dreams, Bill had reached an impasse. He felt he was missing something and asked lvaro if he would take a look at the dream data. In school, lvaro had been an excellent researcher. Bill believed lvaro might see what he could not. Bill also told lvaro that in meditation a year prior to their meeting, he had seen lvaros face, and a voice had told him that in approximately one year lvaro would appear to help him. lvaro remembers thinking that Bills research was a complete crock, but Bill was oering him much-needed work. lvaro decided to prove Bill wrong. lvaro plunged into Bills dream data with unanticipated passion. Over the course of a year, lvaro recorded his own dreams, producing hundreds of pages of data. He noticed patterns and soon discovered that he could access his Inner Wisdom during the sleeping dream state through a process he called Dream Assignments. A Dream Assignment was a simple letter written in a specic way that asked a question of Inner Wisdom. lvaro asked questions about how to interpret dreams to extract the answers to his questions. The information that emerged from Inner Wisdom was so profound that it turned much of what he thought he knew about dreams and the human psyche upside down. For the next eleven years, lvaro continued his indepth research into the nature of dreams, recording volumes of dreams and thousands of additional pages of data. How DrEamWork bEcamE My Path My experience with DreamWork began in 1987, when our family moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had heard that Santa Fe was a place that either embraced you or spit you out. Luckily, we were one of the families that Santa Fe chose to embrace. Little did I know that my destiny and my work were to be forever changed by the move to Santa Fe and a chance meeting with the brilliant researcher, lvaro Lopez-Watermann.

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Linda, my beautiful wife, rst met lvaro and his spouse, Gabriella, at the school our children attended. When Linda heard what lvaro had discovered in his then almost fteen years of research into the meaning of dreams, she knew that lvaro and I should meet. Arrangements were made for lvaro and me to get together, share our work, and learn about each other. When I saw the data that lvaro had painstakingly recorded on the nature of dreams, I was stunned. The depth and potential ramications of the work were beyond anything I had experienced up to that time. lvaro had discovered a way to access Inner Wisdom through the sleeping dream state. More importantly, he had been told by Inner Wisdom how to ask and receive answers for even the most profound or deeply meaningful questions. In addition, Inner Wisdom revealed to him how to extract the answers from dreams through a process of dream interpretation that was both revolutionary and remarkable. This methodology created an entirely new possibility in the realm of dream interpretation. It taught us how to access that inner part of ourselves that knows everything and that we call our Inner Wisdom. LEarning DrEamWork It has always been part of my passionate personality to dive into things that interest me, especially if engaging in those interests will further my spiritual evolution. So I jumped into learning DreamWork. Over the next six years, I immersed myself, spending as much time with lvaro as possible. I read every note, every page, and listened to every tape. The work was extraordinary. Little by little, as I mastered DreamWork, I began using it as a primary tool in assisting students and clients to grow and change. I soon found that DreamWork had applications in all areas of life. I didnt make a major decision without asking Inner Wisdom for guidance in a dream. My students and clients were also pulled to DreamWork. They would ask powerful questions such as: What is my higher purpose in this lifetime? What is the message youre trying to tell me through my health

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problems? What is it you want me to know about my relationship with ____ ? What do I need to do next on my spiritual path? What is my lifes work? Extracting the meaning of dreams is, for practical purposes, a journey by the dreamer and a facilitator who is procient in DreamWork. We call a DreamWork facilitator a Dream Guide. It is highly recommended that a person become a seasoned Dream Guide before attempting to interpret her own dreams. Being ones own Dream Guide requires higher levels of awareness and skill than being a Dream Guide for others. The most dicult mind to facilitate will always be our own mind. Still, for those Dream Guides who want to achieve a level of mastery that will allow them to interpret their own dreams, it is entirely possible. This book speaks to both dreamers and future Dream Guides. As a Dream Guide working with students and clients in both business and personal situations, I found that once they experienced DreamWork, many wanted to do little else. A specic dream or series of dreams often became the centerpiece and catalyst for a complete life makeover. As a spiritual teacher, consultant, trainer, and coach, I had only to remind a student or client in distress, What did your dream tell you? Are you following what Inner Wisdom said to do? If you are having problems, it is probably because you are falling back into old patterns Inner Wisdom told you to change. Are you ready to get back on track? Of course, we energetically celebrated the many victories that inevitably ow from this work as well. DreamWork acts as an infallible guide in the process of living a transforming life. As you will see, DreamWork is probably unlike anything you have read or been told about dreams and dream interpretation. DreamWork introduces us to ourselves in ways that are both profound and deeply meaningful. As we learn more about ourselves, our old world begins to expand. We gain deeper access to our innate strength, intuition, connection to the heart, and life purpose. Our humanity and human expression expand into a transformation of the mind. In the next chapter we will meet the mind in a whole new way.
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Chapter 2

Inner Wisdom Shares Its Secrets

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Before we can talk about DreamWork, we have to spend a little time with what Inner Wisdom has told us about the human mind. As early as 1975, Inner Wisdom showed lvaro that there are four parts of the mind that correspond to the four parts of the brain. Interestingly, Western science at the time believed that there were only three parts of the brain: the reptilian brain, the mammalian brain, and the cerebral cortex. Inner Wisdom revealed the fourth part of the brain, the pineal. Today, Western science has conrmed that there are indeed four parts of the brain. But with respect to dreams, the mind, as opposed to the brain, is where the action is. The human mind also can be said to have four components: the Masculine Mind, the Feminine Mind, the Authoritarian Mind, and the Spiritual Mind. These four parts of the mind determine how human beings process information, interact with our world, and ultimately create the reality that each individual experiences as life. The Masculine Mind (he) is the logical part of the psyche, the part that speaks and thinks. The Masculine Mind is the part of us that wakes up in the morning. He is also the youngest part of our psyche and the loudest, demanding that he be heard almost all of the time in our waking state. Hes that little voice that is always chattering in our heads. You know, that voice that might be saying right now, What little voice? The Masculine Mind is the thinking part of ourselves that expresses in words, reason, numbers, and logic. The Feminine Mind (she) is made up of memories and emotions. Shes the part of us that controls emotion and the hormonal system. By applying various levels of emotion to thoughts, beliefs, and memories, she gives them value. She is the part of us that creates relationships with others. The Authoritarian Mind is the maker of rules, regulations, and boundaries. It tells us what is right and wrong. It is territorial, black and white, ght or ight, and sees the world in the cold-blooded, unemotional way that a reptile might. The Authoritarian Mind is established by authority guresmostly

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in the early years, by Mom and Dad. We might say that the Authoritarian Mind is our domestication by the authority gures in our lives. The Spiritual Mind looks at the big picture. It is our connection with nature, our planet, and the cosmos. It regulates our bio-clock and is sensitive to light. It is the part of us that connects us to our higher purpose. Most importantly, the Spiritual Mind is the part of us that connects us to Inner Wisdom. Although both men and women experience all four aspects of the mind, it may be said that most mens identities tend to reside more within the Masculine and Authoritarian minds, while most womens identities tend naturally to gravitate more toward the Feminine and Spiritual minds. These tendencies account for some of the dierences we see between men and women. When we dream, we experience the various parts of our minds communicating with each other in a symbolic language. Symbols that represent parts of our minds are the language of dreams. Literally, everything that appears to us in dreams is a part of us, a part of our minds. If we dream of Mom, Mom is a symbol of a part of our own mind. If we dream about a tree or house or car, it is a part of our mind. Even when we dream of ourselves, that too is a part of our mind. EVErything HappEns InsidE Out It is said in many spiritual teachings that the mind of the individual creates an individuals reality. This seems to make sense when we see that no two people experience life in the same way. We also know that people tend to experience life in the outside world as a function of their belief systems. For example:

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I believe my boss is cold and unfeeling. I feel hurt and angry when he ignores me. Then I nd out that his wife, whom he adores, has a terminal illness, and my boss is beside himself with worry. Now my belief changes from his being cold and unfeeling to his being scared and distracted. I now feel compassion for him when he ignores me.

If I believe something to be true, it isat least for me. If I want to change my reality, I must change the beliefs that exist in my mind. In eect, reality is created inside out. This phenomenon of the mind creating things on the inside that later manifest as our experience in the outside world gives DreamWork its amazing power to transform life. DreamWork is inside work. It is the inside work that precedes dramatic changes in our waking, outside lives. This inside-out aspect to creating human reality applies also to the relationships among the four parts of the mind: Masculine Mind, Feminine Mind, Authoritarian Mind, and Spiritual Mind. For example, your relationships with the opposite sex in the outside world will be similar to the relationships you have created between your Masculine and Feminine minds. If your Masculine and Feminine minds are in conict, your relationships with the opposite sex will also be in conict. For those of us who have been unable to create an empowering and connected relationship with the opposite sex, a change in strategy is necessary. Instead of looking out there and trying to change things out there, we must work to improve the relationships between our Masculine and Feminine minds on the inside. When we do the inner work and heal the inner relationships, we naturally attract the empowering and connected relationships we desire. DreamWork looks at the relationships among the various parts of the mind. Inner Wisdom directs us to the source of our problems and then gives us

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perfect guidance on the solutions we must pursue to be happy, fullled, fully expressed human beings. When we go to sleep, the outer three parts of the mind go to sleep. The Masculine mind goes rst, followed by the Feminine and Authoritarian Minds. The Spiritual Mind does not sleep and remains awake during the sleep cycle. When the Masculine, Feminine, and Authoritarian minds are asleep, our Inner Wisdom (Spirit) re-energizes us for the next day and tells us exactly what we must do to be happy, fullled, fully expressed human beings. This subtle message from Inner Wisdom repeats all day long and can be heard in deep meditation. Of course, the message is so very subtle that the waking mind almost always drowns it out. Each morning begins another barrage of the thoughts, beliefs, and memories that most of us call daily life. Perfect wisdom, in a subtle whisper, goes unheard. When we do DreamWork, we access Inner Wisdom, for the most part, without the interference of the waking-state mind. Inner Wisdom gives us a simple tool for accessing Him. We call this tool a Dream Assignment. In the next chapter, we will look at the power of Dream Assignments, and I will share with you specic instructions for doing your own Dream Assignments.

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Chapter 3

Capturing the Dream

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Before we can work with a dream, we must capture it. A Dream Assignment is our technique for capturing a dream. A Dream Assignment is a specic question that is asked of Inner Wisdom. The question may be profound: What is my life purpose? Or the question might be quite practical: What should the cover of my book look like? The answer to the question comes in a dream. The answer is a perfect guide that advises the dreamer of the nature of the problem and then what the dreamer must do to be happy, to be fullled, and to be complete in the areas in question and, ultimately, in life. This type of joy, awareness, and connection to Spirit while in the body might be called a form of enlightenment. A Dream Assignment is a simple letter, written in your own hand, to Inner Wisdom, Inner Knowing, Spirit, God, or the Higher Power of your choice. I choose to write my letters to my Inner Wisdom, because that nomenclature is usually easily understood by my students and clients. However, the letter can be addressed to any name for Higher Power that resonates with you. 1. Mantra, Blessing, or Honoring At the top of your letter, write a phrase or mantra that has power for you as an acknowledgment of your Inner Wisdom. I write a powerful Eastern mantra that I have made my personal mantra: Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya is a Sanskrit mantra meaning I honor Shiva (God). For practical purposes, we might also say that it means, I honor you, my Inner Wisdom. Because Im going to be writing to my Inner Wisdom, I choose to hold the mantra as an honoring of my Inner Wisdom or Spirit.

2. Todays Date The date you write the letter. 3. Salutation Dear Inner Wisdom or Spirit (or whatever name for Higher Power feels right to you),

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4. The Body of the Letter A. Write: Thank you for all you have done for me. B. Write: If it is your will, please tell me in a dream tonight, (...and ask your question. For example: What is the work that I am here to do in this lifetime that will make my heart sing? OR What is the message that you want me to know by my having this illness in my life?) C. Write: I ask this so I can get closer to you. I love you with all my heart. 5. Sign your name

Om Namah ShiVaya December 29, 2004 Dear Inner Wisdom, Thank you for all you have done for me. If it is your will, please tell me in a dream tonight what the life work is that I am here to do. I ask this so I can get closer to you. I love you with all my heart. David

When you have your dream, write it down on a pad next to your bed in as much detail as possible. Be sure to write down events in the dream where you FELT one way, then something happened in the dream and you FELT dierently. These are called turning points. They are important. (See Chapter 6 for more information on Turning Points.)

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If you dont remember your dream, write down the rst thought you have when you wake up in the morning. This rst thought can be enough to get the message Inner Wisdom wants you to know. If you dont remember your dreams over a number of nights, you may want to set an alarm to wake yourself in the middle of the night so you can remember and record your dream. When all else fails, ask Inner Wisdom to allow you to remember your dreams. A dream will come to you. Note: Inner Wisdom will always answer the bigger question. For example, if you ask a smaller question such as, What will be the winning numbers in the lottery? Inner Wisdom will most likely not answer that question. Instead, you will probably get an answer to a bigger question such as, What do you want me to know about my inability to create an abundance of money in my life? The Dream Assignment asks the question and connects you to Inner Wisdom to receive the answer. The answer to the question comes in the form of a dream. The theme of the dream is the answer to your question. We will go into more detail on themes of dreams later in this book. DreamWork is the means to identify themes in dreams. However, before we look at DreamWork, lets examine a few of the many myths that abound around dream interpretation.

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Chapter 4

The Myths of Dream Interpretation

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Before we talk about how Inner Wisdom has taught us to extract messages from dreams, we will dispel some of the myths that have grown around dream interpretation over the years. MYth #1 DrEam Symbols HaVE UniVErsal MEaning The biggest myth is that there are universal meanings to any symbol. While it is true that there are universal symbols that tell us which part of the mind is communicating, only the dreamer knows what those symbols mean. Only the dreamer has the ability to go deeply into a symbol to uncover its deeper meaning. Its not possible to know the meaning of your dream unless you, the dreamer, describe what the symbols mean to YOU. MYth #2 Its PossiblE to IntErprEt DrEams Without LiVE Input From thE DrEamEr It is virtually impossible to know the meaning of a dream without direct, live inputs from the dreamer for two reasons: 1. Because the symbols in the dream have meaning only for the dreamer, the dreamer must be actively involved in determining their meaning. 2. The dreamer knows on the surface what a symbol means. However, the surface meaning of a symbol is not enough to get to the real meaning of the symbol or dream. We call the person who guides the dreamer through the dream a Dream Guide. It is essential that the Dream Guide take the dreamer through a process of discovering the deeper meaning of key symbols. Distilling is the term I use for going into deeper levels of meaning with the dreamer. The dreamer must be present (in person, over the telephone, or by other means) to participate in the Distillation process.

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MYth #3 DrEams ArE LitEral It is natural that our minds will, many times, want to think about a dream literally. For example, a wife dreams that her husband dies in a plane crash at sea. She knows that he is scheduled to y on a business trip the following week. She is terried that the dream is an omen of the impending crash and death of her husband. In actuality, the wife need not fear for the safety of her husband. The dream is not literal. In the dream, her husband is most likely a symbol of her Masculine Mind. The plane is a symbol of her Authoritarian Mind. The ocean is a symbol of her Spiritual Mind. The deeper meaning of the symbols will become evident from the Distilling of these symbols by the dreamer and the Dream Guide. All symbols in a dream represent a part of the dreamer. While it is possible for Inner Wisdom to blast us with a dream that contains a powerful literal message from time to time, it is quite rare. On these rare occasions, the literal message most often comes in the form of a voice. These rare literal dreams are usually distinct from normal dreams because of their signicantly heightened levels of power and clarity for the dreamer. For practical purposes, we can assume that symbols and the dream itself are not literal. MYth # 4 I Dont DrEam We dream every night. A great deal of dream research data supports human beings entering a dream state during normal sleep. On average, you have between ve and seven dreams per night. You may not remember your dreams, but you have them nevertheless. MYth #5 DrEams HaVE No RElEVancE to REal LifE While the surface meaning of dreams is rarely literal, their deeper meaning is intimately connected with the life we experience in the waking state. Because the human experience is created inside out (rst in the mind and later in physical reality), our life experience stems from the deeper meaning that is communicated between the parts of the mind in dreams. We can

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make a case that the deeper meaning of dreams precedes and even explains what we experience in the waking state we call life. MYth #6 DrEams Dont MakE SEnsE Dreams make perfect sense. In order to understand what dreams mean, we must learn the language of dreams and of Inner Wisdom. Once we understand the language of dreams, dreams are comprehensible. MYth #7 UndErstanding DrEams Is ComplEX and Difficult Nonsense. Anyone can do a Dream Assignment and DreamWork. Anyone with an open heart, presence, and a desire to learn and grow can learn to understand the powerful messages in dreams. As with any new skill, time and practice under the watchful eye of a masterful teacher are the best way to learn DreamWork and understand your dreams. Now that we have dispelled some of the myths about dreams and dream interpretation, we can begin our journey into the magical world of DreamWork. In the next chapter, well look at what the symbols in our dreams mean.

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Chapter 5

Dream Symbols Meeting Yourself in a

Whole New Way

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Anyone interested in DreamWork must rst understand this critically important concept: Every symbol in a dream is a part of the dreamer. All symbols are a part of the dreamers mind. Symbols are almost never literal. Even symbols that appear to be literal are almost always the result of random and remote chance. For practical purposes, always assume that the symbols in a dream represent parts of the dreamer or, more accurately, parts of the dreamers mind. To review, the four parts of the dreamers mind are the Masculine Mind, the Feminine Mind, the Authoritarian Mind, and the Spiritual Mind. Please note that symbols are the same for both male and female dreamers. Lets take a look at the symbols for each of these parts of the mind. Anything that comes up in a dream can be dened by asking some questions about the dreamers perception of the symbol. In the dream, does she hold the older woman as a friend (Feminine Mind), or as an authority gure (Authoritarian Mind), or as a spiritual gure (Spiritual Mind)? Does she see or hold the older man as a friend (Masculine Mind) or as an authority gure (Authoritarian Mind), or as spiritual teacher (Spiritual Mind)? Axle grease on the oor is made from oil. Oil is natural (Spiritual Mind), but grease is manmade (Authoritarian Mind). Is grease a symbol of the Spiritual Mind or Authoritarian Mind? The dreamer knows. We will talk more in the following chapter about how to determine the part of the mind that is communicating when the symbol is unclear. The magic of DreamWork is that the dreamer can accurately describe the deeper meaning of dream symbols every time. Unlike other methods of dream interpretation that rely on universal symbol guides or dictionaries or software programs to imply the meaning of dream symbols, DreamWork goes to the source, Inner Wisdom. DreamWork draws upon the dreamers real-time knowledge of the meaning of dream symbols by simply associating the symbol with the appropriate part of the mind, then distilling that symbol to its deepest meaning. I have compiled a simple chart on the following page that provides you with everything you need to know about the symbols in your dreams.

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MIND Masculine

SYMBOL Males in the Dream: the age of the dreamer or younger

EXPLANATION/EXAMPLES It is possible that men older than the dreamer may occasionally be symbols of the Masculine Mind. The dreamer will know. The dreamers perception of the relationship with the older male will indicate if the older male is an authority gure, spiritual gure or, rarely, the Masculine Mind. It is possible that women older than the dreamer may occasionally be symbols of the Feminine Mind. The dreamer will know. The Dream Guide must take care to explore the dreamers perception of the relationship with the older female to ensure that the older female is not an authority gure or spiritual gure.

COLOR Red

Feminine

Females in the Dream: the age of the dreamer or younger

White or Yellow

Mammals: warm blooded animals Authoritarian People of Authority in the Dream Anything Manmade or Made by Humans Parents, Grandparents, Bosses, Police, Judges, Teachers, Leaders, etc. If something is made by people, its Authoritarian Mind. Examples include houses, buildings, cars, planes, computers, etc. (For simplicity, well use the term manmade going forward.) Black

Reptiles, Insects, Birds Spiritual Spiritual People Natural Things Fish and Sea Creatures God, Saints, People of Wisdom, Jesus, Buddha, Spiritual Mentors Nature, Sky, Ocean, Earth, Forest, Mountains, Space Blue

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An example of symbolism in a simple dream scene: Dream Scene: I (David) am driving in my car with my wife, Linda. Were driving through a forest on a curvy road and we come to the guard station at the gate to the State Park. The guard (a woman) says to me, You cant come in here yet. You dont have a pass.
SYMBOLS: David = Masculine Mind (The dreamer is always Masculine or Feminine Mind depending on the sex of the dreamer. If the dreamer is male, the I in the dream is Masculine Mind. If the dreamer is female, the I in the dream is Feminine Mind.) Authoritarian Mind (a car is manmade) Feminine Mind (a female younger than David, the dreamer) Spiritual Mind (nature) Authoritarian Mind (manmade) Authoritarian Mind (manmade) Authoritarian Mind (manmade) Spiritual Mind (nature) Authoritarian Mind (an authority gure) Authoritarian Mind (manmade)

Car Linda Forest Road Guard Station Gate State Park Guard Pass

= = = = = = = = =

Dream Scene: I (Karen) wake up. The telephone is ringing. I pick up the phone and my mother screams that shes going down in a plane into the ocean and that she cant swim. My son, Jason, walks into the room crying and says, Baby Jamie isnt in her bed.

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SYMBOLS: I Telephone Mother = = = Feminine Mind (the dreamer is female) Authoritarian Mind (a telephone is manmade) Authoritarian Mind (an authority gure parents are almost always Authoritarian Mind) Authoritarian Mind (manmade) Spiritual Mind (nature) Masculine Mind (a male younger than the dreamer) Feminine Mind (a female younger than the dreamer) Authoritarian Mind (manmade)

Plane Ocean Jason Baby Jamie Bed

= = = = =

In this next dream scene, see if you can determine the parts of my mind that are represented by the symbols. This is a real dream I had in 1999 that changed my life. We will go into the details of this dream as we go deeper into DreamWork and into the chapter on advanced DreamWork. For now, just focus on identifying the symbols. Dream: I (David) am a student in a classroom. There are some other teachers in the classroom who are also students. The teacher in front of the room is saying something that I know is wrong. I turn to Sue (a female younger than David and a peer) and say, This is wrong. Im a spiritual teacher. Im supposed to be teaching this class. Sue tells me that Im not the teacher. I tell the teacher that the room must be completely rearranged. The teacher then tells me to be quiet, that she is the teacher and that the room must remain the same. The other students nod their heads in agreement. I am hurt and angry because no one will listen to me and they arent being taught the truth.
David = Masculine Mind (the dreamer is male)

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Teachers/Other Students =

Sue Classroom Teacher Spiritual Teacher

= = = =

Masculine & Feminine Minds (these people are my peers in some ways and my students in other ways) Feminine Mind (a female younger than David, the dreamer) Authoritarian Mind (manmade) Authoritarian Mind (an authority gure) Spiritual Mind

In the next chapter we will be looking at the key components of DreamWork. However, prior to examining these keys, we must begin to look at the roles of dreamer and Dream Guide. It is in the use of the key components of DreamWork (described in the next chapter) where the Dream Guide usually becomes integral to the interpretation process. While a dreamer can learn to interpret her own dreams, it is dicult in the beginning. This diculty is a result of the tendency for the mind of the dreamer to distort the symbolism of the dream more for self than others. In other words, it is much easier to see the symbolism in the dreams of others than in our own dreams. For this reason, going forward, the information is presented from the perspective that the dreamer is working with a Dream Guide. If you prefer to see yourself as your own Dream Guide, feel free to read the information from that perspective. Now that we are familiar with DreamWork symbols, we will examine other key components that come into play in DreamWork interpretation. Interpreting a dream that is sent to us by Inner Wisdom in response to a Dream Assignment is at the heart of DreamWork. In order to unlock the secret messages in our dreams, we need a set of keys. In the next chapter, we will explore the magic keys to dream interpretation.

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Chapter 6

The Key Components of DreamWork

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Inner Wisdom has revealed to us a number of key components in doing DreamWork. Some of these components have been discussed previously and will be noted in this chapter as well. Others are new and will be discussed in more detail. Here are the keys to opening the beautiful body of work we call DreamWork. 1. The Dream Assignment (See Chapter 3) What is the question the dreamer asks of Inner Wisdom? 2. Symbols and the Four Parts of the Mind (See Chapters 2 and 5) Every symbol in a dream is a part of the dreamer or, more specically, the dreamers mind. This insight is critical to DreamWork. 3. Turning Points These are junctures in a dream where someone in the dream is feeling one way and something happens in the dream that causes the person in the dream to feel a dierent way. Here is an example of a turning point in a dream. Dream Scene: Im walking down the street feeling happy. A huge, snarling dog jumps out of the bushes and confronts me. I am terried. Turning Point: Im happy Dog confronts me Im terried. That is, Im feeling one way something happens I feel another way. 4. Recording the Dream (Assumes Recording by a Dream Guide) On a large paper, write down the symbols as the dreamer relates them to you. Be sure to leave plenty of space between each symbol and underneath each symbol. Example Dream Scene The dreamer, Jane, relates one scene of her dreams as follows.

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Im in a water park. Im trying to nd the lap pool. There are many doors. I dont know which door to go through. Im frustrated. I cant read the signs over the doors. I dont know what they mean. Im lost. Im terried. Finally, I cant wait any longer. I plunge through a door and nd the lap pool. Im so relieved. But as Im about to go in the water to do my laps, the pool changes into a river ride. Im surprised. I nd myself oating in an inner tube on the river with lots of other people who are having fun, too. I feel like a kid again. Jane water park lap pool doors

Jane/cant Jane/lost/ read signs terried

Jane goes through door/ relieved

lap pool inner tube river kid again turns to river ride

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5. Distilling the Dream Distilling the symbols in a dream is where the real art of DreamWork becomes evident. Distilling each symbol moves the dreamer from the surface of the symbol to its deeper meaning. In the process, the Dream Guide asks a series of questions about each symbol. The same question often will be repeated as the Dream Guide helps the dreamer distill the symbols into their deepest meaning in the moment. 6. Distilling Questions The questions used to distill a dream symbol are critical. Equally important is how the questions are asked. Questions must be asked without judgment. The Dream Guide should ask questions in a conversational manner, from a place of caring and curiosity. Distilling questions may include, but are not limited to: What is a...? If this (the symbol) were a person, what would the person be like? If this (the symbol) were a person, what would this person be doing? Why? What is dierent about what (the symbol) is (doing, acting like, being) versus what youre (doing, acting like, being) in your life currently? What do you mean by ...? How old is ...? Why do you think ...? Why do you think a person might (be, do, act, have) ...? Why do you suppose youre ...? Whats the opposite of ...? Does he/she remind you of anyone? Does this remind you of a similar time, place, or event? If you had to make it up, who, what, where, when, or how do you think ...?

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Why do you think that happened? Whats the rst thing that comes to your mind when you think of ...? Without thinking about it, how old do you think ...?

It is important to note that when a dreamer begins to repeat the answers to a distilling question, that is as far as the dreamer can go into the deeper meaning of a symbol. When the dreamer begins to repeat herself in answering a distilling question, it is time to move on to the next symbol.

7. Themes Every dream will have a theme. The theme is the thread that runs through the various parts of the dream. The theme of the dream is also the answer to the dreamers question. As we go further into DreamWork, we will explore in more detail themes and how to identify them. 8. Indicated Actions In the dream, Inner Wisdom identies the problem area that is aecting the dreamer and oers the perfect solution to that problem. The theme of the dream is usually something like: You have been doing something that is causing you pain or worry. In order to solve this problem, you must, instead, take the following action. The action I, Inner Wisdom, want you to take is .... These indicated actions normally will be an accelerator on the life path of the dreamer. The Dream Guide will work with the dreamer to identify the actions the dreamer is willing to take in order to follow the guidance of Inner Wisdom.

With the key components at hand, we are now ready to explore the magical world of DreamWork. In the next chapter, we will take a more in-depth look at DreamWork as we reveal perfect guidance from Inner Wisdom. Welcome to DreamWork.

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Chapter 7

Revealing the Hidden Meaning in Every Dream

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IntErprEting thE DrEam It is possible to receive Inner Wisdoms message through the Distillation of a single dream symbol, multiple dream symbols, or multiple dream scenes, because the messages from Inner Wisdom are dispersed throughout the dream in a holographic manner. In other words, the message from Inner Wisdom exists in all parts of the dream. In my work as a teacher and Dream Guide, I have had the opportunity to work with many individuals experiencing the transformative power of DreamWork. To begin to demonstrate how this process works, lets do some DreamWork with Susie. You will see how Susies Dream Guide supports her as she goes through the DreamWork process. (As I mentioned earlier, it is possible to do your own DreamWork, but a Dream Guide oers valuable insights.) The Dream Assignment question asked by Susie (the dreamer) is, What do you want me to do with my life now that my kids have left the house? The Dream Scene: Im (Susie) looking down on a street in a small town that I dont recognize. Parked on the street is a perfectly restored, pristine old car. Its beautiful. The car pulls slowly into the street and starts down the road out of town. Then it makes a U-turn and goes the other way. The Dream Guide will now begin by asking distilling questions, without judgment. The Dream Guide writes down the symbols in a list from top to bottom. Dream Guides must remember that any judgment will cause the dreamer to pull back. In order to avoid pushing or trying to x the dreamer, Dream Guides should strive to maintain Awareness and send Intent (love). Dream Guides must trust Inner Wisdom and remain curious. Remember, Dream Guides, when the dreamer begins to repeat the answers to a distilling question, that is as far as the dreamer can go into the deeper meaning of a

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symbol. When the dreamer begins to repeat herself in answering a distilling question, it is time to move on to the next symbol. IMPORTANT: Pay particular attention to moments when the dreamer has a powerful realization or emotional hit. Such moments occur often when facilitating DreamWork. Dreamers can explore these new insights through a combination of love, compassion, and curiosity from the Dream Guide. Conversely, fear and judgement from the Dream Guide pushes the dreamer, slowing or stopping the process. The Dream Guide now says to the dreamer Are you ready, Susie, to do a little DreamWork? Susie Absolutely! Dream Guide Great. Shall we start with the car? That seems to be a central player in this dream. Susie Yes. Lets start with the car. Dream Guide You say it was an old car that had been restored to pristine condition, yes? Susie Yes. It was beautiful. Clean. Shiny. Perfect. Dream Guide Did the car remind you of a car youve seen before? Susie Yes. In the movies you see these old cars that are beautiful. Dream Guide Is there a particular movie that you saw this car in? Susie No. Not really. Dream Guide Tell me the rst thing that comes to your mind. What make do you think this car was? Susie I think it was a Cadillac. Dream Guide Great. What comes to mind when you think of a Cadillac?

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Susie The old Cadillacs were powerful, luxury cars that were driven by powerful people. Dream Guide You say this Cadillac was perfectly restored. What was the Cadillac like before it was restored? Susie I think it was rusted, dirty, probably had some dents in it. Dream Guide How did it get in this condition? Susie It wasnt taken care of. It was abused and neglected. Over time, it became a mess. Dream Guide Great. Who do you think abused and neglected the car? Susie The previous owners, I guess. Dream Guide Why do you think the previous owners abused and neglected the car? Susie They were rich, but lost their money. They became poor and didnt have the ability to take good care of the car. They got down on themselves. They didnt know any better. Dream Guide Who do you think restored the car? Susie A rich, powerful man who loved old cars. He saw the beauty under all the dirt, dents, and rust. Dream Guide Beautiful. Okay, Susie. Im going to ask another question. Tell me the rst thing that comes into your mind, okay? Susie Okay. Dream Guide What year was the Cadillac? Susie I think it was a 1948. Dream Guide Great. Again Susie, tell me the rst thing that pops into your mind. What happened in 1948? Susie I was born.

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Dream Guide What was it like when you were born? Susie My parents, uncles, and aunts adored me. I was the rst child born into the family. Everyone thought I was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen. It was a joyous time for everyone. Oh my God! I just had a thought. That might have been the last time I felt completely accepted by my parents. [Note: This emotional reply is a powerful realization, an emotional hit, which is signicant.] Dream Guide What do you mean by completely accepted by your parents? Susie Its not really my parents so much. Ive always tried to be perfect and Ive been really hard on myself. Dream Guide Susie, the pristine Cadillac was born in you when you were born. The Cadillac is a symbol of your Authoritarian Mind, the rules you have created for yourself about how to live your life. How do you suppose the adoring parents (rules) morphed, over time, from something pristine into something dented, rusty, and dirty? Susie Its all my stu. I have created all the dents and rust in myself with all my perfect stu. I beat myself up unless things are perfect, and they almost never are. I could cry. [Note: This is a signicant emotional insight by the dreamer.] Dream Guide Shall we go a little deeper into this now, or shall we continue with the dream? Susie Lets continue with the dream. Im more interested in how I get out of this mess than how I got into it. Dream Guide How did you feel when you saw the car make the Uturn? Susie It seemed strange. It surprised me. [Note: This is a Turning Point. The dreamer felt one way, something happened, the dreamer felt another way. The problem is likely on the rst side of the Turning Point; the solution is likely on the other side of the Turning Point.]

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Dream Guide Thats all right. Why do you think the Cadillac made a U-turn? Susie Because it was going the wrong way. Dream Guide Good. Where do you think it was headed before it turned? Susie I dont know. Dream Guide If you had to make it up, where do you think the car was headed? Susie Id say it was going onto a long stretch of deserted road. The road is lonely and not well maintained. I think its a risky and a dangerous road. Dream Guide Great. So the Cadillac makes a U-turn. Now where is the Cadillac going? Susie Id say its going home. Dream Guide Where would you say home is? Susie I think its a beautiful place where powerful people live. Its a place where people are happy. You know, its home. Dream Guide Thanks, Susie. Youve been terric. Was that a great dream, or what? Susie I guess so. Im feeling a little emotional right now. Dream Guide Thats okay. You did a great job. Are you ready to take a look at the answer from Inner Wisdom? Susie Yes. I have a feeling I already know where this is headed (laughing). Dream Guide Me, too (laughing). As you will likely see when you read the following Message from Inner Wisdom, being a DreamWork Dream Guide requires some learning and practice. However, with practice, any of us can begin to trust our own Inner

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Wisdom in guiding the dreamer. The question asked in Susies Dream Assignment: What do you want me to do with my life now that my kids have left the house? The Message from Inner Wisdom: You (Susie/Feminine Mind) came into the world with a set of rules and beliefs about yourself that were founded in unconditional love (your birth mom, dad, aunts, and uncles = Susies Authoritarian Mind). Over time, you recreated these rules (your Authoritarian Mind) to include a need to be perfect. These rules have made you feel poor and powerless. If you continue to do this (i.e., going in the same direction you have been going), you will be going the wrong way. If you continue to go in the wrong direction, it will feel lonely, risky, and dangerous. The Turning Point in your dream indicates that the time has come to restore the pristine beliefs and rules you created originally at your birth. Doing so requires a U-turn from your current direction. This U-turn will take you home. Home is a place that is beautiful and where you feel powerful. Going home requires a letting go of the need for perfection and, instead, being unconditionally kind to yourself. If you do this, the next steps in your life now that your kids have left the house will be revealed to you. Dream Guide Does this feel like the message that your dream is bringing to you? Susie Absolutely. Ive known how my need for perfection has made me and those around me unhappy. Ive just never seen it so clearly before. Honestly, Im a little scared. I dont know if I can change something thats been a part of me for so long. Dream Guide You dont have to change everything overnight. Of course, that would be the perfect way to do it, right? (laughs) Dont worry about it, Susie. You can do this, and it wont be that dicult. It will require some regular practice, but you can do that. Instead of trying to do too much, well create a bridge from where you are today to where you want to be. Its all very doable.

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Susie Thank you so much. Im feeling like I have so much more clarity now. Im feeling so much more energized and hopeful, too. In the next example, well revisit Janes dream from the previous chapter. Jane has done a Dream Assignment asking the question, What should I do to discover my life purpose? We will examine this dream in more detail, identifying the key components of the dream as we go. As we interpret this dream, see if you can identify key components for yourself, particularly the emerging theme of the dream. Janes Dream Scene: Im in a water park. Im trying to nd the lap pool. There are many doors. I dont know which door to go through. Im frustrated. I cant read the signs over the doors. I dont know what they mean. Im lost. Im terried. Finally, I cant wait any longer. I plunge through a door and nd the lap pool. Im so relieved. But as Im about to go in the water to do my laps, the pool changes into a river ride. Im surprised. I nd myself oating in an inner tube on the river with lots of other people who are having fun, too. I feel like a kid again. Dream Guide Tell me about the Jane in the dream. Whats she like? Jane Well, shes like me. Dream Guide Good. What are you like? Jane Well, Im sort of searching right now. Dream Guide What do you mean by searching? Jane Well, I guess Im feeling a little lost right now. Im trying to gure out what Im doing with my life. I feel like there is something missing in my life. I tend to wear myself out because I keep doing so much. But I dont feel good about all the stu Im doing. Dream Guide What do you mean by I dont feel good? Jane Its like banging my head into a wall. I do this. Then I do that. I dont

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know what Im supposed to be doing. Im always running. Its not fullling. It wears me out. Dream Guide Very good. What do you mean by fullling? Jane I would be doing something that had real meaning for me. I know my coaching is good, but all the stu of looking for clients and running around isnt fullling. It wears me out. I hate it. Its drudgery. I want to be happy. Id be fullled if I were doing something that I loved to do and that made a real dierence in peoples lives. I just want to be happy. I guess I feel like I cant quit doing all the stu, because Id be letting people down.
DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Jane Me Searching Lost What to do with life Something missing Worn out Doing too much (why? to avoid letting people down) Dont feel good Do this Do that Dont know what Im supposed to be doing Not fullling Wants meaning Worn out Fulllment = love work/make a difference Fulllment = be happy (Non-fulllment = not loving work/ not making a difference/ not happy)

Dream Guide Jane, when you think of a water park like the one in the dream, what comes to mind? Jane Its restorative, light, lively, and its purpose is to play. Dream Guide Great. What do you mean by play? Jane Its fun, its happy, it restores and heals. Dream Guide And what do you mean by heals?

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 DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Water Park Restorative Play Heals Restorative (note repetition here)

Jane It restores. Dream Guide What does a lap pool mean to you? Jane Well, you swim laps in a lap pool. Back and forth. I like a lap pool best when Im alone. That way I can swim in peace. I always compete when there are other people in the lap pool. Ive done this since I was a little girl. I love being in the water. Its good exercise. Dream Guide Good. What do you mean by good exercise? Jane Well, its something youre supposed to do. (As Jane says this, she has the realization that the lap pool is a competitive place where you do the things youre supposed to do. She also realizes that in the supposed-to-do pool she tends to isolate herself from other people.) Dream Guide Jane, weve explored the lap pool. Are there any other insights that you have seen that we havent discussed? Jane No. But Im getting a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I know where this dream is going. Dream Guide Thats a very good sign that were moving toward deeper meaning. Nice work. Are you ready to continue? Jane Yes. Dream Guide What are the doors all about? What do you think of when you think of doors like these? Jane The doors are a place to go through, an opening. They can be a solution to a problem. They allow me to go where I want to go. Its freedom.

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 DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Lap Pool Swim laps Back and forth Likes being alone not competitive Peace Loves water Good exercise What shes supposed to do

Dream Guide Very good. What do you mean by allow me to go where I want to go? Where is it that you want to go? Jane I want to go to the lap pool, but I dont know what the right door is. I cant make a choice. Dream Guide Good. What do you mean by right door? Jane The right door gets me to the lap pool. Dream Guide You say you cant read the signs over the doors. What do these signs mean to you? Jane They point the way. Theyre a guide. Its there, but I cant read the signs. They dont make sense to me. Im missing something important. Dream Guide Youre doing great. What do you mean by missing something important? Jane Im dense. Its right in front of me, but I dont get it. There is no way to know whats right. Dream Guide What do you mean by whats right? Jane Choosing the door to the lap pool.

Dream Guide What would happen if you chose the wrong door? Jane Thats exactly why I feel lost. I dont know what to do. Dream Guide What would happen to you if you didnt know what to do and chose the wrong door?
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Jane Id be really lost. Dream Guide What do you mean by being really lost? Jane Id be terried that I might lose my business. I might lose my husband. Id lose my life. Dream Guide Great work, Jane.

DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Doors Place to go through An opening Solution to a problem Freedom

DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Jane: Signs/ Cant Read Signs Signs point the way A guide I cant read Dont make sense to me Im missing something important Right in front of me but dont get it Theres nothing that makes sense to me that tells me what to do

DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Jane: Im Lost Cant make a choice Wrong choice = really lost Really lost = terried of losing business, husband, life

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Dream Guide What do you mean by plunging through the door? Jane I couldnt just stay there in terror of making a mistake. I just took a leap of faith. Dream Guide What do you mean by a leap of faith? Jane I knew that if I were ever going to get where I wanted to be, Id have to take a risk. There was no way to know what the right move was, so I just went for it. Dream Guide Good. What do you mean by went for it? Jane To go for it is to go for it. Its taking the plunge. Its knowing that to do something I feared was the only way I was going to get where I wanted to be. You just have to have faith that something good will happen.
DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Jane: Plunge Fear of making a mistake Leap of faith Through Taking a risk Door Not knowing, but going anyway Went for it Took the plunge Get where I want to be Faith that something good will happen

Dream Guide What does a river ride like this one mean to you? Jane Its like a Disney Jungle Ride. Its an adventure. It has curves and you never know whats around the corner. There are lots of kids and parents on the river. Its fun. I felt like a kid again. Dream Guide What do you mean by adventure? Jane Its stimulating. Theres a starting point, but you cant see the nish. You dont need to know where youre going. The river is taking you where you need to go.

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Dream Guide Whats the dierence between the lap pool and the river? Jane A lot. In the lap pool, I have to put in the eort, but I dont ever go anywhere except back and forth. In the river, I dont exert any eort, and the river takes me wherever Im supposed to go. The lap pool is work. The river is fun. The lap pool is best done alone. The river is much more fun with others along enjoying the ride, too. The lap pool is all of the things I have to do. In the river Im in the ow. The river is all the things I want to do. Oh my God! Thats it, isnt it! Ive spent my whole life in the damn lap pool because Ive been afraid of making a mistake or letting people down or not being good enough or some crap like that. Thats it, isnt it? Its supposed to be fun. As you always say, I should be doing what makes my heart sing. [Note: This is powerful, emotional insight.] Dream Guide Excellent work. I think youre on to something, Jane. But before we look at the theme of the dream, lets complete the dream and see if there might be another nugget or two. Or would you like to spend some more time with these great insights that youve just seen? Jane No, lets nish. I want to get it all. Dream Guide Great. Lets take a look at the last few symbols.
DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL River Adventure No need to know People make the ride better Fun No effort Going where I want to go Im in the ow No mistakes, not letting people down or not being good enough Fun Doing what makes heart sing

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Dream Guide - You say youre in an inner tube on the river. What does this inner tube remind you of? Jane When I was a kid, like all kids, I loved to play in inner tubes. We actually oated on rivers in the summer with other kids. It was so much fun. Dream Guide What is an inner tube? Jane Its the inner part of a tire that inates so the outer part keeps its shape. Dream Guide Good. What does a tire do? Jane It allows us to go places and absorbs the bumps in the road. Dream Guide So are you saying that the inner part of a tire supports the outer part of a tire so that we can go places? Jane Oh! Yes. Dream Guide So Jane, how might the inner tube relate to your journey or getting to the place you want to go? Jane The inner part will support my journey on the river. The support should be fun. How am I doing? Dream Guide Great! Youre becoming a Dream Guide yourself.
DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Inner Tube Play, fun, other kids Makes it possible to go places Inner supports outer Absorbs bumps along the way Inner supports outer on the river of life

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Dream Guide Youre on the river feeling like a kid again. Does that remind you of a time in your life when you were a kid? Jane Yes. I used to love horses when I was a kid. I still do. I rode horses. I played horse. We had great times. It was so much fun. Dream Guide Why horses? Whats so special about horses? Jane Horses are so real. Theyre so authentic. You cant fool a horse. They know exactly when were being real or when were stuck in our minds. Theyre strong. Theyre playful. They dont judge. I love horses. I feel alive when Im with horses. Dream Guide What do you mean by alive? Jane No worries. No stress. Able to do what I want. Freedom. No have tos. Dream Guide Last question, Jane. What do you mean by no have-tos? Jane Freedom to do and be what I want. Fullled. Freedom.
DISTILLATION Of SYMBOL Kid Horses Play horse Fun Authentic Feeling alive No worry or stress Able to do what I want No have-tos Freedom to do what I want Fulllment. Freedom.

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What are the major Turning Points in this dream? Take a moment and see if you can identify the Turning Points. Where does the dreamer feel one way, and then, as a result of something happening in the dream, the dreamer feels another way? Major Turning Points (TP): TP 1 Feeling okay Doesnt know which door to pick Gets frustrated TP 2 Frustrated Cant read signs Becomes terried TP 3 Terried Plunges through door Complete relief TP 4 Feeling okay Pool changes to river Heart sings In a Turning Point, the problem is frequently on the left side and the solution to the problem on the right side. Lets look at these Turning Points from the Problem/Solution point of view: TP 1 Problem = Complacency Solution = Get frustrated with not knowing TP 2 Problem = Frustration Solution = Allow your fear to come up around not knowing TP 3 Problem = Fear of not knowing Solution = Plunge through your fears TP 4 Problem = Doing what youre supposed to do Solution = Do what makes your heart sing As you look at these Turning Points and the Distillation of the dream symbols, can you begin to see the theme of this dream emerge? The theme

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is the answer to the dreamers question, which in this case is, What should I do to discover my life purpose? It doesnt matter if the Dream Guide knows or doesnt know the dreamers question prior to guiding a dream interpretation. The theme of this dream is detailed below in the Message from Inner Wisdom. The Message from Inner Wisdom You cant nd your life purpose because your Feminine Mind (Jane) is too engaged in things that she feels she has to do. (She has no choices.) There are signs everywhere that I, Inner Wisdom, have sent to you to indicate opportunities or doors toward change, but you cant make sense of them. Because you are afraid of making a mistake (wrong door: Authoritarian Mind), you continue to do things that make you unhappy and wear you out. The solution to your problem is to plunge through your fears of making mistakes or letting people down. You can do this by plunging into the unknown. However, you must not plunge back into the things that take so much eort, conne your Spiritual Mind (water in lap pool), wear you out, or make you unhappy. Instead, you must ride into the things (river: expanded Spiritual Mind) that are eortless, fun, and make your heart sing. Your inner work will support your journey (inner tube: Authoritarian Mind). In nding what makes your heart sing, you will nd your freedom. In following My guidance, your life purpose will come to you eortlessly. building bridgEs to innEr wisdom Of course, the next question becomes, Okay, I got the message. Now what? I cant quit my job and just play every day. I have a mortgage, a family, and responsibilities. A good Dream Guide will not recommend that the dreamer do anything that would create more diculties in life. We live in a physical reality that has rules. We must pay the bills or suer the consequences. We must take care of the family or suer the consequences. It is much more sensible to be practical as we plan the actions we will take. The strategy that has proved most eective is what I call building a bridge from the old reality to the new one. Your bridge is your strategy to move

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from where you are to where you want to be. Building a bridge thoughtfully and formally is a great way to create a concrete plan. Some additional Dream Assignments may add clarity around the building of the bridge. Once our bridge is clearly created in our mind, the mind begins to pull the new reality on the other side of the bridge to us. This is true magic. JanEs Story ContinuEs Jane began to take action on her bridge, spending less time on the things in the lap pool and more on the things on the river. As her Dream Guide, I helped her create a mantra in the form of a question that would act as a guide for her in making choices. The question is, Is this lap pool or river? As much as possible, Jane made choices that put her on the river. We did additional Dream Assignments to gain more clarity around Janes life purpose. We found that Jane was supposed to be working with horses in her training and coaching with business people. This idea seemed highly unlikely at the time. Still, Janes heart was on re at the thought that she could use horses in her work with people. Out of nowhere, people associated with horses began to show up in Janes life. Jane formed a partnership with a wonderful woman who had been using horses to work with disabled children. The woman was looking for a way to take her skills and horses into the business community. An old friend who had been in a horse training business for many years showed up after thirteen years without contact. Today, Jane is designing a line of custom apparel with a horse theme, in partnership with another serendipitous contact. Janes marriage is better than ever. Her husband has been fully supportive of her new vision and life purpose. Jane is happier, more energized, and more fullled than in many yearsmaybe more than shes ever been since the days of playing horse as a young girl. Has everything been easy? No, of course not. There have been challenges. However, once Jane knew her life purpose, nothing could stop her. Every obstacle has become a door of opportunity. Her guide is always with her.

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For the most part, Jane chooses the river. As she does the inner work, her mind draws her new reality to her more easily and eortlessly. Janes destiny is to play with horses in a way that brings her everything she needs and makes a real dierence in the lives of those she and her horses touch. Its a beautiful dream. The role of the DreamWork Dream Guide is to take the dreamer on this journey to deeper meaning. This work is powerful and meaningful, both for the dreamer and the Dream Guide. In the next chapter, we will explore the journey to becoming a DreamWork Dream Guide.

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Chapter 8

Lighting the Way

Becoming a Dream Guide

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Learning to become a Dream Guide is a wonderful journey in itself. As Dream Guides become more conscious of the hidden meanings in the dreams of others, we naturally become more aware and attuned to our own dreams. This awareness translates into the Dream Guides becoming proactive in the identication and creation of his or her own higher purpose for life. We grow more connected to Inner Wisdom. We become a Dream Guide for our own dreams and aspirations. Along the way, it is also likely that a whole community of kindred spirits will emerge to support the Dream Guide and this work. Becoming a Dream Guide is simple and straightforward. The only requirements necessary to learn DreamWork and become a Dream Guide are an open heart and a desire to learn, grow, and work with others. With practice and a good teacher, it is easy. Some New Agreements for a DreamWork Dream Guide I highly recommend that people who choose to become DreamWork Dream Guides seriously consider adopting the following New Agreements (adapted from my book, The New Agreements in the Workplace Releasing the Human Spirit [New Dream Team, 2002]) into their lives and practices. Find Your Path What is your life purpose? Why are you here? These are powerful questions. Every human being is here in this lifetime for a purpose. DreamWork has many applications, including one that will in some way further your life purpose. Or better yet, might it make sense for a Dream Guide to do a little DreamWork and clarify her own life purpose? When we are clear on life purpose, we can align our Dream Guide work with that life purpose. This alignment is so powerful. Although deeply meaningful, a path indicated by Inner Wisdom will also be light, fun, and ultimately human. If were not laughing a lot, weve probably made things a little too serious. Laugh! Enjoy! Love with every cell of your body.

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Love, Grow, and Serve Others DreamWork is about loving, growing, and serving others in a most profound way. In the process of loving, growing, and serving others, we love, grow, and serve ourselves. In loving, growing, and serving others, we love, grow, and serve Inner Wisdom. Love is attractive, magnetic. It pulls people to it. People, including clients, will be drawn to Dream Guides operating in this way. It is said in some Eastern teachings that one can become a realized and enlightened being through the sole practice of service to others. A Dream Guide may seek to make this agreement a core principle in the living of her life purpose. Mind Your Mind in the Moment A practice that is a foundation of doing DreamWork is the Mastery of Awareness. Without awareness, the Dream Guide will nd himself limited in the practical application of DreamWork. A Dream Guide who loses his awareness when facilitating DreamWork may nd himself projecting into the dreamers dream. The more awareness the Dream Guide can bring to DreamWork, the more procient he will become. The only time that awareness has power is in the moment. There is no power in the past or future. A Dream Guide will do his best to catch the mind in the moment when it creates fear-based thoughts, beliefs, or memories. Normally, surrendering to Inner Wisdom is a good strategy when you catch your mind falling into fear. The real key is having the awareness to catch it! Consider Becoming a Systems Thinker It is important for the Dream Guide to be aware of the role of systems thinking in working with clients. Ninety percent of the results people experience emerge from the systems with which they interact. At work we call these structures systems or processes, and at home they might be called habits or agreements. People will have diculty changing if the systems in which they operate are not taken into consideration. The vast majority of these constraining systems or habits are informal and

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invisible to those of us who are not systems thinkers. Systems thinking can be of great value to clients, especially those who are taking action based on the guidance of Inner Wisdom. A Dream Guide who is a systems thinker can point out the systems that must be changed in order for the client to best follow the guidance of Inner Wisdom. Practice a Little Every Day Practice is Art. We become what we practice. Dream Guides become what they practice, too. If we practice love, awareness, service, and life purpose, we become that. Like any new skill set, DreamWork must be practiced on a regular basis if we wish to master the skill set and make it into something we do naturally. Formal, regular practice is the best way to become skilled at DreamWork. Practice on a regular basis is especially important in the beginning. To master DreamWork and to become a Dream Guide, we should practice a little every day. Anyone can learn these simple, practical guidelines and apply them in DreamWork and in life. Lets take a look at some practical knowledge that the Dream Guide will integrate into her work. Practical KnowlEdgE for thE NEw DrEam GuidE A DreamWork Dream Guide needs to be familiar with: 1. 2. 3. 4. The history behind DreamWork. The four parts of the mind. The nature of the mind to create individual reality. The belief in or natural knowing of a universal Higher Consciousness or Inner Wisdom.

A Dream Guide will have the in-the-moment awareness to: 1. Remain detached from the DreamWork process while working with a client.

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Conscious mastery of in-the-moment awareness is critical to being a Dream Guide. The human mind has a natural tendency to project its own thinking, belief systems, and memories on other people. This type of projection is a signicant trap for a Dream Guide. Often, the Dream Guide will want to help or assist the dreamer in some way by interjecting some sage advice or putting a word or two into the dreamers mouth. Dream Guides must avoid oering such help or assistance. Only the dreamer knows what lies deeper in the symbols of her dream. Only the dreamer can make the connections between parts of the dream that start to create a theme. If anything, the Dream Guide will check in with the dreamer on a regular basis to ensure that the Dream Guide is not interjecting himself into the dream interpretation process.

2. Avoid judgment when interpreting a dream. The job of the Dream Guide is to lead the dreamer through the DreamWork process with as much awareness and intent (love) as possible. The Dream Guide will be aware of an energetic ow between herself and the dreamer. This ow is created by the energy that comes from love. This ow allows the dreamer to go deeper into the meaning of his dream. If the Dream Guide falls into fear or judgment during the process, this fear and judgment will often transfer to the dreamer and slow or stop the creative ow. A Dream Guide must avoid judgment when interpreting a dream.

3. Be positive at all times when interpreting a dream. Needless to say, a Dream Guide will hear many dierent types of dreams in the course of facilitating DreamWork. In dreams, of course, anything can happen. For the dreamer, some dreams may be embarrassing, shocking, or fear-lled. No matter what the content of a dream, the Dream Guide must maintain a positive demeanor and

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remain somewhat detached from the content of the dream. Creating a positive or neutral environment will reassure the dreamer that she is doing well and will allow the dreamer to go deeper into the critical Distillation process. Use words of encouragement regularly to encourage the dreamer and let her know that she is doing well. 4. Remember to breathe and surrender to the process. Although remembering to breathe while facilitating DreamWork seems obvious, it is actually quite easy to forget to breathe at times when working with a dreamer. Learning not to hold your breath or breathe shallowly is part of the growth process toward DreamWork mastery. Inner Wisdom is the true guide for all DreamWork. Breathing and surrendering to Inner Wisdom connects the Dream Guide to everything she needs to do the work. Breathing enhances our connection to Inner Wisdom, while surrender allows us to be a conduit for what is wanted and needed in a given situation.

5. Avoid relying on guring things out. It is not possible to gure out dreams or DreamWork. Rather than attempting to gure things out, move to surrender and allowing. What is needed will be revealed to us if we allow it to ow through us. If you nd yourself relying on your rational mind as you try to understand a dream, its time to breathe, surrender to the process, and allow what is needed to ow through you.

6. Be authentic. There may be times when the theme of a dream remains unclear or hidden. In these instances, we must be authentic. We must tell the dreamer (and ourselves) that we just dont get it. Its much better to do another Dream Assignment than try to fake it on a dream we dont understand.

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There are many potential applications for DreamWork. As a Dream Guide, you may have a whole new world of services that you can bring to your lifes work. The applications of DreamWork and the services that the Dream Guide might provide are only limited by the imagination and the longings of the heart. Lets look at some potential applications of DreamWork.

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Chapter 9

Taking DreamWork Into Your World

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While there is a tendency to think of dreams as fanciful and not really useful in the real world, nothing could be further from the truth. DreamWork not only has many practical, real-world applications, but it also has the potential to be one of the most powerful tools for a transformed humanity. At its core, DreamWork is a tool and guide for creating a transformed life. It can be applied wherever and whenever humans are ready for proactive change. Lets take a look at a few of the applications where DreamWork has proven eective. PErsonal LifE

A stOry FrOm DaVids chrOnicles I dont make any major moves without doing a Dream Assignment. In 1989, my wife, Linda, was living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with our three children. I was commuting from San Diego, where my business was located. The business was in trouble, and I was working long hours while still trying to be a good long-distance husband and father. After two years of this arrangement, I was worn out. I told Linda that I felt she should come back to San Diego. She had just rented a house for another year, enrolled the kids in private schools for the year, and her best friend was moving to Santa Fe. It would be very difcult for Linda to move back. We decided to do Dream Assignments in order to know what to do. We asked Inner Wisdom if we should live in San Diego or Santa Fe. Inner Wisdom didnt tell us where we should live, but rather that the family should be together. I couldnt move to Santa Fe, so that meant the family would have to be together in San Diego. Linda was not pleased. It was a terrible time to move back. We each did another Dream Assignment just to be sure. All four dreams said the same thing. Linda agreed to move back.

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We did another Dream Assignment to see where we should live in San Diego. Linda wanted to rent in a part of town that had the best schools. The problem was that the few houses that came up for rent in this area almost never allowed dogs, of which there were two in the Dibble family. The dream did not tell us where to live. Instead, the Distillation of the symbols indicated that we should live in a house with a red tile roof. Intuitively, Linda still felt we should explore the area with the good schools. What would be the odds of nding a rental in this area with a red tile roof that allowed dogs? Not good. Within ve minutes of completing the Dream Assignment, we decided to look in the paper to see if there might be a rental in the area that aligned with Inner Wisdom. It seemed like a waste of time because most rentals in the area were never listed in the paper. But unbelievably, there was a house just listed for rent in the area, and it had a red tile roof. We called immediately. The owner already had two rm commitments to rent the house, and he didnt allow pets. We went to look at it anyway. When we arrived, we saw that the house was perfect for our family. By now, the owner had three rm commitments to rent the house. We introduced ourselves, the kids, and our two small dogs to the owner. He liked us but reiterated that he didnt accept pets and had three rm offers with deposits to rent the house. We said wed still like to be considered. The owner called the next day and said hed never seen anything like it. All three parties in front of us had backed out of renting the house for a variety of unexpected reasons, and hed decided that two small dogs wouldnt be that bad. He rented us the property. His last comment on the phone was, I guess this house was just meant to be yours. So true. In retrospect, Linda now says that the move back from Santa Fe was the best thing we ever did for the family. How could it be otherwise? Inner Wisdom is much wiser than our rational minds could ever be.

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OthEr PotEntial Applications of DrEamWork in PErsonal LifE Relationships of Any Kind Health & Healing Death & Dying Marriage & Divorce Life Purpose Family, Kids, Parents, Signicant Other Money & Finances Moving Spiritual Path & Personal Growth Making Major Decisions

Examples of some questions that might be asked of Inner Wisdom: What is the message you want me to know from my having these health issues? What must I do to heal myself from ...? What is the message you want me to know about my relation ship with ...? Why is my daughter in this trouble? What is it that you and my daughter are trying to tell me? Whats my life purpose? What is it youre telling me in the death of my mom (or any other loved one)? Should I get married to ...? What is it you want me to know from these nancial problems in my life? Work or BusinEss LifE DreamWork has powerful applications in groups and organizations. These applications extend to businesses of all sizes, organizations of all types, and

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even government. In the area of leadership, can you imagine leading not from the head, but with the guidance of Inner Wisdom? StoriEs from corporatE AmErica

Clarity FOr Owners, Leaders, Managers, and DirectOrs The owners of a publishing company had built the leading trade magazine in their industry. The partners were not getting along and were having a difcult time coming to agreement on the future direction of the company. Actually, they were miserable trying to work with each other. We did a Dream Assignment with both of the owners asking for guidance on how the partners could become aligned on the future of the organization. Inner Wisdom, in both dreams, indicated that the way for the partners to become aligned on the future of the company was to sell the company. Both owners were initially shocked. Then, however, we were able to talk about what it would mean to sell the company, a subject neither owner had wanted to broach. After some facilitated discussion, the owners agreed that their focus would be preparing the company for sale. Both immediately felt better. Because they were aligned with Inner Wisdom, the perfect buyer called to inquire about the possibility of buying the company. The buyer called without having been contacted rst or knowing that the company would soon be for sale. We did another Dream Assignment to make sure this was the right buyer. The answer was Yes. All parties agreed to a very fair deal, and the company was sold in a way that delighted both owners.

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Career ChOices Judy, a very competent woman, worked as a manager in a fast-paced high technology company. Although she was recognized as being very good at her job, she was tired of the grind and didnt feel passionate about her job anymore. In a dream, Inner Wisdom indicated that she was a teacher and should be working with people. The dream showed her that her old conditioning and security issues were keeping her stuck in her old position. Inner Wisdom also indicated that she would be okay if she risked going through her security issues. A subsequent Dream Assignment indicated that she should begin working with people in the workplace as a teacher, coach, and trainer. A twelve-month bridge (plan) was created. She proposed an exit to her employer to begin transitioning out of her old job to a new one. In her new job, she would act as an outside contractor who would coach and train people in the company. Because Judy was aligned with her Inner Wisdom, everything fell into place easily. She recently left her job and is coaching and training both in her old company and with other clients. Shes making 25 percent more money in her new position than she made in her old job. She has the strong possibility of doubling her income in the next year. Judy says she is the happiest and most fullled shes ever been in her working life. In becoming a Dream Guide, she is adding DreamWork to her line of professional services.

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OthEr PotEntial Applications of DrEamWork in thE WorkplacE: Strategic Planning & Direction Decision Making Creating Vision Finding Ones Higher Purpose for Work Mergers, Acquisitions, Signicant Deals, and Projects Job Questions Accepting, Leaving, Hiring Relationships at Work Moving New Markets or Products Litigation And many other questions

Examples of some workplace questions that might be asked of Inner Wisdom: Whats my higher purpose for work? Whats the higher purpose of this organization? What is the direction that this company should be going? What is our vision? What is it you want us to know from these nancial problems in the company? Should we make the acquisition? Should we be acquired? Should we do an IPO? Should we hire ...? Should I take the job? Should I leave this job? What must I do to be a better leader? What is the message you want me to know about my relationship with ...? How do I balance work and home life?

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DREAMWORK IN THE WAKING WORLD DreamWork has wonderful applications when we are awake, too. It is a most useful tool for working with people in the areas of discovering life purpose and visioning. The following example illustrates how DreamWork might be applied in a waking-state situation. In a visioning workshop, members of the audience wrote their visions for their perfect future. We asked for volunteers to do a little DreamWork in which we would work with the client to Distill his vision. From the group of volunteers, we picked Jims name at random. As the Dream Guide, I put the symbols of Jims vision on a ip chart, much as I would for sleeping DreamWork. Then we started going through the Distillation process with Jim. What came out was so profound as to alter Jims life right on the spot. Jim saw the deeper meanings of the things he thought he wanted. He became so inspired that tears owed in his gratitude for what Inner Wisdom had shared with him. He saw the barriers that were keeping him stuck and, more importantly, that he could overcome all of them over time. Others in the workshop were quite moved by the experience as well. ADDING DREAMWORK TO AN EXISTING TOOLBOX DreamWork is a powerful methodology and tool that synergizes well with most existing services oered by many professionals. Teachers, mentors, healers, leaders, advisors, coaches, therapists, consultants, trainers, managers, and spiritual teachers come to mind. You can probably think of additional ones. DreamWork promises the strong possibility of accelerating almost any type of work being done by these types of professional service providers. In addition, those in important decision-making positions are good candidates for DreamWork. Bob, an excellent therapist and coach, attended the same workshop where Jim discovered his deeper vision. Bob was blown away by what he witnessed in doing waking-state visioning DreamWork with Jim. Bob saw

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the power of DreamWork and how he might integrate it into his practice. This integration will, he believes, create synergies and expand his business opportunities. Bob serves as an example of a professional who is adding DreamWork to his existing toolbox and services. By adding DreamWork, he has the opportunity to expand his business while enhancing his overall eectiveness. As a spiritual teacher, I use DreamWork to help accelerate my students down their chosen paths. As a consultant, I often nd that my business clients become quite attached to DreamWork as a tool for decision making, visioning, planning, or addressing concerns, both at work and at home. I use DreamWork with my coaching clients as a way to create clarity and accelerate the change process. You may be able to think of a signicant number of applications for DreamWork in your life, too. We have covered the core principles and applications of DreamWork. As you become familiar and comfortable with the core concepts and practices outlined in this book, your mastery of dreams will emerge. In the next chapter, we will examine some of the more advanced practices of DreamWork.

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Chapter 10

Mastery Expanded Possibilities

for DreamWork

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As Dream Guides become more experienced in DreamWork, they may want to master some advanced practices. Here are a few of the most useful. Power Dreaming With practice, it is possible to be fully awake and conscious in the sleeping dream state. You may be familiar with the term lucid dreaming, which is often used to describe this waking state in a sleeping dream. Lucid dreaming oers a wonderful opportunity to turn the dream into what I call a Power Dream. A Power Dream is a lucid dream where the dreamer actually changes the dream. This is a very powerful practice, because when we alter something in the inside dream, the change tends to accelerate a similar shift in the waking state. Keeping in mind that everything happens inside out, lets look at Power Dream DreamWork. As you have learned in previous chapters, the sleeping dream has a direct connection to the waking state we call physical reality. The sleeping dream strongly inuences what we experience in the waking state. If we want to dramatically accelerate change in the waking state (physical life), we can do so by changing the sleeping dream. The act of consciously changing a sleeping dream turns a lucid dream into a Power Dream. Lets go back to one of my own dreams that I shared with you earlier to see how a Power Dream I created in 1999 dramatically changed my life. Background For eight years, don Miguel Ruiz, author of the bestselling The Four Agreements, was my teacher and best friend. I was a good student and learned as much as possible. After a powerful spiritual experience at the top of the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacn, the pyramids outside of Mexico City, don Miguel pulled me aside and told me I was no longer his student. He told me I was a Master Teacher and it was time for me to teach. I was like someone who had received a huge promotion but didnt know exactly what to do with it. If I was a Master Teacher, I sure didnt feel like one. For a period of two years, I struggled with owning my power as a

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Master Teacher. Then, I had a Power Dream that changed everything. Youll remember this dream from earlier in the book, but now, see what happens. The Lucid Power Dream: Im a student in a classroom. There are some other teachers in the classroom who are also students. The teacher is saying something that I know is wrong. I turn to Sue (a fellow student and teacher) and say, This is wrong. Im a Master Teacher. Im supposed to be teaching this class. Sue tells me that Im not the teacher. I tell the teacher that the room must be completely rearranged. The teacher then tells me to be quiet, that she is the teacher and that the room must remain the same. The other students nod their heads in agreement. I am hurt and angry because no one will listen to me. I am consciously awake at this point in the dream. I make a conscious choice that I do not want the dream to be this way. I am going to change the dream to be the way I want it. The Dream Continues: I stand up out of my seat and tell the teacher that I am a Master Teacher and that from now on I will be teaching the teachers. She happily agrees and takes a seat. I rearrange all the chairs so that they are in a Circle of Intent (love). I teach the teachers my truth, and they are eager and appreciative to learn from me. They know who I am. I feel completely empowered as a Master Teacher. I own my mastery completely. I decide to wake myself up and take my mastery into the waking world. This Power Dream completely changed the way I held myself. I now knew that I was a Master Teacher. All doubts were gone. I didnt have to tell anyone about my newly created ownership. I didnt need any agreement from the outside world. I just knew. As we might expect, as soon as I owned my mastery, people started recognizing it in me, too. Here we see the beautiful use of Power Dreaming as a tool of transformation.

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USING DREAMWORK IN THE WAKING STATE As discussed previously, DreamWork has many applications in the waking state. I use DreamWork often to assist clients in the areas of creating vision, planning, discovering life purpose, and building bridges to the future. To facilitate DreamWork in the waking state, the Dream Guide requires higher levels of skill and awareness than for sleeping state DreamWork, because the waking-state mind tends to blur and avoid issues in real life more than when talking about symbols in dreams. However, with practice, using DreamWork with clients in the waking state can be quite benecial both for client and Dream Guide. BEING THE DREAM GUIDE FOR YOUR OWN DREAM ASSIGNMENTS Of course, there is a real advantage in being able to be the Dream Guide for ourselves. We can do Dream Assignments anytime or place and know that we can get the answer to our questions without outside assistance. With practice and experience, the Dream Guide can begin to do DreamWork for her own dreams. Being your own Dream Guide requires higher levels of awareness and skill than being a Dream Guide for others. The most dicult mind to facilitate will always be our own mind. Still, for those Dream Guides who want to achieve a level of mastery that will allow them to interpret their own dreams, it is entirely possible. DreamWork and Advanced DreamWork will open a whole new world of possibilities for Dream Guides and clients. Some of you may be so pulled to DreamWork that it may become part of your life purpose. For those who feel this resonance, things will happen faster and easier than you ever thought possible. Event after synchronous event will manifest so often as to appear to be minor miracles. This is what happens when we align with the creative energy of Inner Wisdom. This is the essence of DreamWorkand it is the essence of every dreamer and every Dream Guide, for this is the essence of our humanity.

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Epilogue

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My Dear Dreamers, As I gaze out upon the world of illusion, I am reminded that it is all a dream. Much of the world lives in a dream of fear and despair. Many of us rise up in the morning to race through another day without a thought of what the living day might mean. We may wonder what happened to our lives. When did we lose our way? What happened to those magnicent dreams, lost in another false start to the unexamined race? But even those thoughts are eeting, as the time put aside for self-examination is spent in the starting gate once again. This is the merry-go-round that turns to treadmill and nally sucks the life from weary racers. But the race is not for everyone. Some of us have chosen another, lesstraveled path lined with a new awareness and points of light to guide the way. This is the path of the spiritual warrior. On this path, the dreamer dreams the warriors dream. This is a dream based in love and light and learning. It is a dream whose time has come. It is no accident that you have read to this point in this book. If nothing in this book resonated in you, these words would not exist for you. For whatever reason, your time has come to take a stand for your life and your work. The only real work that needs to be done in the world is to love comprehensively, with no one and no thing left out. Of course, we start with ourselves. This work will manifest in myriad ways. Some of you will teach. Some of you will be healers. Some of you will take yourselves into the workplace as lights of possibility. I will not presume to know how you will manifest your dreams in the world. Only your heart can know that. What I can say unequivocally is that I am honored to be on this journey with you. I am humbled by your courage and commitment to a new dream, a new kind of life both for ourselves and for our world. I look forward to working with you, Spirit willing. As the old Irish saying reminds us so well, Until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. With great love and respect, David Dibble

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The Next Steps

You and DreamWork

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DAVIDS MISSION
In 2009, David was told in a powerful dream that it was time to take DreamWork into the world in a significant and meaningful way. Realizing how much work this instruction would entail, he was not particularly happy about this revelation. Still, he had learned to trust the guidance of Inner Wisdom and elected to begin the massive four years of preparation work. Asking for more guidance in Dream Assignments, he was given what he needed to stay on purpose. Importantly, Inner Wisdom also told David that: DreamWork Will Become a Catalyst for Raising Human Consciousness Globally If this resonates with you in some way, join me in making this mission a reality.

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YOU AND DREAMWORK THE NEXT STEPS

When you are ready to continue your journey into DreamWork, many resources and tools are available to support your growth. Below, well review some of the resources available to those who simply want to go deeper into DreamWork and for those who want coach, teach, or even master DreamWork. DreamWork Enhanced Learning Packages We offer a number of high-value enhanced learning packages for dreamers who want additional tools/accelerators for their DreamWork. Some of the more comprehensive packages are recommended for those who are considering becoming a Certified DreamWork Coach or Teacher. DreamWork Coach Certification Programs Live and online Certification Programs are available to those who wish to become Certified DreamWork Coaches. There are many benefits to becoming certified, including being a member of the DreamWork Coaches Community, where a vast number of resources are available for professionals who use DreamWork with their clients. In addition, DreamWork will co-market your coaching practice to clients looking for assistance from a DreamWork Coach. The DreamWork Community Our purpose in taking DreamWork into the world at this time is to create and support a global community of kindred spirits doing DreamWork in the world. The DreamWork Community is where we can all come together. The Dreamers section of the DreamWork Community is free and contains many resources and support materials in addition to being a meeting place for those who want to learn more about DreamWork. There are currently two other paid levels in the
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Community, the DreamWorkers level and the Certified DreamWork Coaches level. A Masters level for DreamWork Certified Teachers is on the way. Within the various levels of the DreamWork Community, you will find: Teleclasses, group coaching calls, webinars, telesummits, with David & Linda and other Certified DreamWork Coaches and Teachers Libraries of support materials for DreamWork, CTypes, and Conscious Systems Packages for Advanced Learning Online and live DreamWork Coach Certification Live DreamWork Teacher Training Certification Program Mastery Programs DreamWork Coach, Teacher, and Masters retreats DreamWork & CTypes for Conscious Leaders Conscious Systems support materials Marketing & sales support for graduates Universityand more!

of

the

DreamWork Book and Packages for Advanced Learning There are three Pillars of DreamWork. The first Pillar is DreamWork and Dream Assignments, which you have read about in this book. The second Pillar of DreamWork is CharacterTypes (CTypes). CTypes describe how the four parts of the mind communicate with each other, essentially creating each dreamers realityinside out. CTypes also determine how we think and relate with self and others. Importantly, CTypes also tell us the right actions to take in order to align with the guidance of Inner Wisdom so we can transform our lives. While DreamWork dream interpretation works well as a standalone for most purposes, CTypes are essential for Certified DreamWork Coaches or
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professionals who want to add DreamWork to their toolbox in working with clients. We recommend when learning CTypes that you start with the book CharacterTypes: Models for Relating. CTypes Relationships Guides CTypes are a powerful tool in creating, understanding, healing, and deepening the most important relationships in your life. The CTypes Guides offer guidance for a specific CType in creating, understanding, healing, and deepening a relationship with another specific CType. Since there are 12 CTypes, there are 12 x 12 potential combinations for every CType working with every other CType, so the complete library of CType Relationship Guides numbers 144. Whether you want to look at a single relationship or, as a professional, have the whole library at hand, these guides include everything you will need to know about working with self and others using CTypes. For 20 years, we have been using CTypes in our marriage, with our children, with family and extended family, and, of course, with our coaching and consulting clients. CTypes Workplace Guides CTypes are a powerful tool in creating, understanding, healing, and deepening the most important relationships at work. The CType Guides offer guidance for a specific CType in creating, understanding, healing, and deepening a relationship with another specific CType in the workplace. Since there are 12 CTypes, there are 12 x 12 potential combinations for every CType working with every other CType, so the complete library of CType Workplace Guides numbers 144. Whether you want to look at a single relationship at work or, as a leader/manager/HR professional, have the whole library at hand, these guides include everything you will need to know about working with self and others using CTypes in the workplace. For 20 years, we have been using CTypes to guide leaders, managers, supervisors, and
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workers in taking right action to improve working relationships and solve problems. Organizational Work The third Pillar of DreamWork is Conscious Systems. Ninety percent of the results we experience, both good and not so good, are a function of the systems in which we live and work. How many leaders, managers, supervisors, or workers know this? Not many! If we want to improve the workplace, organizations, and results, we must improve our systems. According to DreamWork and Conscious Systems, systems improvement has two equally important componentssystems optimization and growing peopleincluding leadersto become Conscious Leaders. Using the DreamWork Conscious Systems methodology that he developed, David has consistently seen his clients produce results that can only be described as remarkable. His workplace focus today is on assisting Conscious Leaders in creating Conscious Systems. David employs a variety of tools that may include DreamWork, CTypes, The Four Agreements at Work, his New Agreements for Conscious Leaders, and his one-of-akind Systems Improvement methodologies. David only works with Conscious Leaders who are themselves willing to grow, shift their systems, and who have a higher purpose for work. Order Davids Organizational Improvement Books The New Agreements in the Workplace Releasing the Human Spirit The New Agreements in Healthcare Healing a Healthcare System on Life Support

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ABOUT DAVID & LINDA

David Dibble, a former CEO, is a spiritual teacher, systems thinker, consultant, trainer, speaker, and executive coach. He is the author of four books: DreamWork Dream Interpretation, CTypes Models for Relating, The New Agreements in the Workplace, and The New Agreements in Healthcare. For six years, he studied one on one with Dr. Alvaro Lopez Waterman, the brilliant researcher who has now spent more than 40 years researching the sleeping dream state and DreamWork. For eight years, David studied directly with don Miguel Ruiz, author of the worldwide bestseller The Four Agreements. He is one of two people worldwide licensed to teach The Four Agreements at Work. David has been practicing and teaching DreamWork and CTypes with individuals and in organizations for 20 years. Additionally, for more than 30 years, David studied a wide range of great spiritual traditions, including eastern practices for 25 years, Native American teachings, the essence of the great religions, Science of Mind, The Four Agreements, Austrian economic theory, and quantum physics. He has expanded upon the foundational systems theory, systems thinking, and business systems improvement work of W. Edwards Deming and Peter Senge to include universal spiritual principles and Conscious Systems. He lives in San Diego with Linda, his wife of 42 years, enjoying surfing, golf, and a holistically healthy lifestyle. Linda Dibble, a former fifth-grade school teacher, is a spiritual teacher, DreamWork, CTypes, and Four Agreements coach and trainer. For eight years, Linda studied directly with don Miguel Ruiz, author of the worldwide bestseller The Four Agreements. Additionally, for more than 30 years, Linda studied a wide range of great spiritual traditions, including eastern practices for 25 years, Native American teachings, the essence of the great religions, and the mind/body connection. People who know Linda say she is the closest thing to an
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angel they have met. She is Italian and family is very important to her. She is a teacher of meditation and practices yoga daily. Because she models what she teaches, her energy lights up any room. She lives a holistically healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise, yoga, healthy eating, and lots of laughter. She and David have three great kids who keep life ever interesting and fun.

Contact Us New Agreements Inc PO Box 2674 Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 David@newdreamwork.com Linda@thenewagreements.com www.newdreamwork.com

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