The FIRST AUSTRALASIAN REGIONAL DREAM CONFERENCE, of the International Assocn for the Study of Dreams and the newly formed Australian Dream Network, was held 19-22 April, 2012, at St Joseph’s Centre for Reflective Living, Baulkham Hills, Sydney. Five of us went from Auckland, contributing to the total of 95, mainly Australians but also a scattering from around the Pacific. The Conference title, DREAMS AND IMAGINATION: HEALING PATHWAYS, drew a multi-disciplinary mixture of artists, academics, therapists, psychologists and environmental scientists, applying dreams to their work in many ways. We were touched by the art of a painter, a story-teller, an audio-visual animation of under-sea creatures, the skills of artists expressing dreams in clay, sound, drama.
A major theme of presentations was awareness of Nature as source and symbol in our dreams, calling us to care for the creation in which we belong. We were mindful of indigenous traditions, especially the Aboriginal Dreaming, and committed to seek dialogue where possible. Scholars presented findings from using the Internet to gather data and analyse the main patterns and themes in dreams.
Another major theme was the healing power of dreams from ancient to modern times. And self-discovery was amply demonstrated in a dozen different workshops and dream groups. It was a rich mix of learnings.
My own workshop, "Martian enquiry in dreamwork," demonstrating action methods to bring out meaning in dreams, was enthusastically received. As a result, I will be leading Dream Workshops in Melbourne in August , and Sydney in October this year.
NEWS FROM AUCKLAND
Congratulations to Kevin Dobbyn who has gained the Certificate in Applied Dreamwork this year. Several more have nearly completed the requirements.
Congratulations to Joy Crabtree, first to complete the Dreamwork Leader’s Certificate!
This has required intensive reading and a number of practical assignments, including leading a small dream group. Joy led a keen monthly group of four 11-12-year-olds, who confidently demonstrated their skills to the adults’ group on 11th November, and showed us their dream workbooks.
The Advanced Dream Group continues to meet monthly for supervision of dreamwork done, new learning and skills development. David Legg is now leading a dream course at St Luke’s Church. We hear that Brian Scott-Hughes is beginning to lead a dream group in Brighton, UK! Other members are setting up groups.
In June 2011 I had the opportunity to address a large group at the Forum of the AUT Psychotherapy Department, on the need for direct attention to the Healing of Nightmares, especially when they are repetitive and undermining sleep. A number of colleagues, including senior practitioners, thanked me for opening a new angle on the significance of dreams.
3. AROUND THE COUNTRY
I led enjoyable dream workshops around the country during last year, at New Plymouth, Whangarei, Nelson, Tauranga and Dunedin. This year I have been leading a series with staff of the Eastern Bays Hospice.