Inception

There is much buzz around the new Hollywood movie Inception, which led to a posting on the IASD (International Association for The Study of Dreams) website. The question remains, can someone invade the dream of another and if so, should that be encouraged, practiced,or taught?

Anthropological research has recorded the phenomena across several cultures where people claim that they can "enter" the psyche of another person while in the dream state. A small collection of books written,usually under the occult or popular culture,claim there are safe ways of learning and practicing this phenomena. One author compares the practice to be "like a family" going on an outing. Here is my response to the possibility of entering some one's psyche with dreams:

Like any good, healthy and functional family, we must NEVER enter the private space of another. This is not only respectful it is practicing basic integrity. Extending that notion to others, we must never invade any one's private space be it their home, their mail, their office, or any other space. It stands to reason that if someone could enter the psyche of another that this practice would be highly unethical. This is worse than the "home invasion" crimes that are committed. Entering some one's space, be it physical or mental, is clearly wrong.

One may argue (and some have) that this practice can be used for healing, or for sharing in a positive way. If this were the case, then the practice would be shared between people with full consent. Unfortunately, this is often not the case and those who promote the practice are doing so in an exploitive manner.

The issue remains with all matters of the psyche: only practices that promote healthy, loving, kind results should be put into practice. Everything else should remain in Hollywood drama.

IASD Conference 2010

Dreamers, researchers, clinicians and workshop leaders are here in North Carolina for the 2010 conference. This conference hosted by The International Association for the Study of Dreams is a venue for sharing our work on the Study and practice of dream therapy. So far this conference has proven to be one of the best in the many years I have been attending.

Dream research is a fast growing field which has innovation and sound research practice. The field has gone through it's growing pains but is now on solid ground with established methodology and scientific practice. The publications and presentations are building the knowledge of dreams with a strong scientific community.

The application of dream therapy and techniques continues to grow as more practitioners become educated in the field. There is the emergence of scientifically tested techniques that are allowing practitioners to use dream therapy with comfort; knowing they work and they are reliable.

An interesting growth is seen in the Art created by dreaming. This conference has provided the public with a vast array of beautiful dream-inspired art. This work allows dreams to be shared at a personal and rich level; insight, felt-sense, and connection with the inner world are the result.

As a result, IASD continues to grow at the levels of science, humanity, art, and clinical applications. Dreams and their rich source of information are coming into their own and sharing this work internationally is helping the evolution of this profound human dimension to evolve.

IASD 2011 conference will be hosted in Rolduc, The Netherlands. See www.asdreams.org.