The Alchemy of Dreams and Lucid Dreaming in Therapeutic Practice
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Description
This workshop will be delivered via Zoom online.
Maximum number of places: 20
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How can alchemy help us understand therapeutic processes at work in dreams and dreamwork?
In Carl Jung’s alchemical model, dreams are viewed as taking us through an alchemical process that reveals our inner gold. When working with our dreams, we can learn how an understanding of alchemical stages and imagery helps us to recognise the psychological and spiritual development that is mirrored in our dreams. By tracking alchemical processes, we can learn how to develop dream awareness in order to better identify and withdraw our projections, transforming how we view ourselves and others.
During this workshop, we will explore the ways that the alchemical model reveals the therapeutic potential of lucid dreaming. I will begin by sharing a recent dream and use it to illustrate the alchemical principles introduced. This will also be used for an experiential exercise. After an introduction to the lucid state, I will show how the practice of what I call ‘Lucid Surrender’™ can facilitate the withdrawal of projections within the dream. This original application of Jung’s alchemical model to dream lucidity brings new dimensions to our understanding of alchemy, therapeutic practice and lucid dreaming.
I will outline four alchemical process – separate, dissolve, recombine and fix, explaining how these relate to stages in therapy involved in the recognition, and withdrawal, of projections. To illustrate the process of dream alchemy, I will then draw on alchemical emblems from the Rosarium Philosophorum (The Rosary of the Philosophers, 1550), featured in Carl Jung’s ‘The Psychology of the Transference’. Participants may be asked to share in cluster activities to generate ideas for amplifying the discussion. We will then apply the alchemical model to the introductory dream. Creative Imagination visualisations related to dream illustrations and guided meditations will also form part of the day. Volunteers will be invited to share their new insights with the group.
Workshop Aims
By the end of the workshop you will:
- Be able to discuss what dream awareness is and how it relates to dreamwork dream lucidity and alchemy
- Outline fundamental alchemical processes that can be observed in dreams and dream lucidity including colours, imagery and themes associated with the alchemical process
- Recognise how the alchemical model relates to the dynamic of projections and their withdrawal
- Have an understanding of how to apply this recognition both to the therapeutic process and everyday life.
Workshop Leader:
Melinda Powell, M.A. (Psychology of Religion, Heythrop College), Advanced Diploma Psychotherapy, Advanced Diploma Supervision, Certification in Transpersonal Dreamwork.
Melinda co-founded the Dream Research Institute, with Nigel Hamilton, at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education, London, to promote research into the relationship between dreams and wellbeing. She has served as past vice-president of the International Association for the Study of Dreams and as director of HELP Counselling Centre. She works as a psychotherapist, teaches Lucid Surrender and writes about dreams and dream lucidity. Her writings have appeared in a variety of publications, including Lucid Dreaming: New Perspectives on Consciousness in Sleep (Praeger, 2014) and Dreams: Understanding Biology, Psychology and Culture (ABC CLIO,2019). In her book, The Hidden Lives of Dreams (March 2020), she foregrounds the importance of dreaming for human development and mental health. Her next book Lucid Surrender: The Alchemy of the Spirit in Lucid Dreaming will be published in 2021.
Target Audience:
This workshop is open to training and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. People involved in the counselling/psychotherapy and other mental health professions and anyone interested in the psychological processes involved in lucid dream alchemy. Please note that by booking on this workshop you agree to keep all discussion confidential.
Applications must be received by Thursday, 21th October 2021.
Please note that by booking a ticket for this event, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions for CPD events, so please read through them carefully before making your purchase.
If you experience any problems during the application process then please contact us.
