Dream Exploration - A New Approach author: Robert P. Gongloff Llewellyn Worldwide 2006 ISBN #0-7387-0818-6 Thank heaven's for dreamtime - that twilight time when we find resolution to daytime issues, and sometimes have that wonderful "Aha!" experience that allows us to move forward on a project at warp speed. To date interpretation of dreams has been largely dependent on dream symbols. Robert Gongloff posits that dream symbolism may not remain consistent from dream to dream. He has developed a matrix of twelve core themes that are common to everyone, and that can be applied to any dream. Using Gongloff's method, the focus of interpretation moves from the symbols within the dream to the storyline within the dream. Gongloff defines the theme of a dream as the message, idea or perception that the dream is attempting to bring to the conscious level of the mind. To help determine the theme of a dream, Gongoff presents the reader with a list of questions concerning the main character in the dream. Once the theme has been identified, it needs to be worded in a way that will easily identify it. Gongloff indicates that one very important part of this process is to keep the theme in the present. Normally, we talk about dreams in the past tense. Keeping the dream interpretation in the present tense helps the dreamer stay in touch with his or her dream. The twelve core themes are presented in depth, listing opposing aspects (positive and negative), as well as a generalization of the aspects in bullet point format. Gongloff takes the reader step by step in locating the theme to their dream from his theme matrix. He has also condensed the matrix into a table format. Unfortunately, the print here is so small that the reader might need to copy the matrix in an enlarged format for more comfortable use. The next step in working with dreams is keeping day notes and night notes, so that it can be seen how one reflects the other. Once the theme of the dream is identified, and the storyline played out, the Gongloff suggests that the individual needs to become accountable to themselves, to take responsibility for their own lives. To this end, some type of action needs to be taken in waking life to honor the dream wisdom. One of the suggestions here is that each day, we need to find our blessing, our challenge, and our service (opportunity to serve). "Dream Exploration" is essentially a service manual for our dream life. It shows how our dreams fit into the cycles of our lives, and how from our dreams we can take action in our lives. Extensive dream examples are used to show the points under discussion. Exercises are placed throughout the book that allow the reader to put the information to work in their lives, while at the end of each chapter Gongloff has placed a summary of points that were made within the chapter. Being used to working with dream symbolism, I am not sure what to make of this system. Both methods have their points, and, like many people, the manner in which I choose to interpret my dreams will carry a smattering of each. For those who wish to participate actively in their dream life, this is an excellent resource book. © May 2006 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. Home Personal Empowerment links Personal Empowerment articles Graphics by Art for the web