This second of my two-part interview with Jung Society of Utah founder and president Machiel Klerk which explores more about Dream Dialogue and his unique approach to dreamwork. We talk about what to expect in a Dream Dialogue workshop like the one he will teach June 13, 2015 in Salt Lake City. To read more about Machiel’s background, his first encounters with the teachings of Carl Jung and dream work, read part one of this interview.

Dream Dialogue

What goes on in a typical Dream Dialogue workshop?

People bring their dreams. With the group we share our work on dreams. People love it because they can learn a lot in the sharing of a dream which in and of itself will trigger the healing response. It’s great to be connected and have feedback from others.

We develop an experiential and relational approach to dialogue with the dreams, meaning we enter into the dream and explore the environment and get connected with the figures. During the workshop it’s helpful to learn dream theory, different thoughts on dreams and practical tools in order to work with dreams.

What you learn about dreamwork is that it is a life perspective—a way of looking at how life works and a way of practice. It’s a combination of dream ritual, working with dreams, sharing dreams, dream theory and talking with each other.

Do you think the community experience of a workshop is important to working with our dreams?

Yes. In many cultures dreams are shared with other people. The dreams themselves take delight in that! People feel differently when they share with several other people. They get a response with the feedback that they can take their lives seriously. It is very powerful. Especially because we live in a culture that people in general have a tendency to discount intuition. A person’s dreams, fantasies and daydreams are all a part of the world of dream and helps them experience a life of meaning and excitement. And yet, it (dream life) is so often minimalized and marginalized. We have dreams of doing this or a fantasy of doing that, but we don’t dare to listen and follow our dreams for a myriad of reasons. But once you acknowledge your dreams they become more powerful and real. Therefore, people are more likely to be brave and courageous in living their dreams after attending a workshop.

I like that. In your CD you talk about dense reality and dream reality and seem to say that maybe one is just as real as the other depending on how you view it. You speak about working with your dreams in order to have more joy and flourish. What happens in the workshop environment? Do you facilitate that with the participants?

Yes. Participants very often have a dream the night before through dream incubation, a technique in which you proactively ask a dream for help. Perhaps they ask, “Dreaming: How can I have a great relationship? How can I deal with my partner better? What sort of vocation should I have? I have this illness, how can I cure it?” All these ways in which you ask dreaming to help and engage you in real life. And the next day people come with those dreams. Some are very clear, and some need puzzling. By connecting to dreams, participants connect to the creative source. The byproduct is that people get into the flow of life and feel a sense of support, that they are part of a larger organism. That, in and of itself, creates joy and fun.

Because we often think we are alone in our dreams, the dream workshop experience may help people feel they can come together and realize they aren’t alone, that we are all connected.

And you often see that one person in the group brings up a dream that has relevance for many other people in the workshop.

Beautiful Dreamers

What would you say to skeptical people who say that dreamwork is woo-woo or not important?

First of all, one’s own experience is central. And it is central in Jungian thought and our thought in the Jung Society. What we say is: Don’t believe what we say. There’s no book you need to follow, there’s no person that determines what something means because he/she says it is true. It can only be true if you know it from your own experience.

One could be open enough, if one wanted to, to do an experiment and do a little dream ritual. Say to the dream: I have no idea what you are and I have grave doubts about you, but I’m willing to ask a question and verify this. Then ask the dream reality a question like: How can I have more happiness in my life? See if you have a dream, write it down and see what the dream says. You might be able to literally do what the dream suggests. See if doing what the dream suggest increases your happiness.

Would you say this is a process of learning to trust yourself?

Yes, and over time you’ll see that there is a mystery source in the dream, a larger awareness in the dream and behind the dream that wants to educate and help you.

One of the experiences that I had in the lucid dream was yelling out, “Is there anyone with a message for me?” A dream figure came flying to me and said, “Come with me.” It taught me how to cross a crossroads at difficult time in my life. So it was very helpful. There is often a surprising element or figure in our dreams that has greater knowledge about us and our paths, that gives us suggestions. Such a force is in all dreams and can be accessed by anyone.

Listening to your dreams has changed your life.

I’m in deep gratitude towards the world of dream. Without it I would be disconnected from the world and a total mess.

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Machiel Klerk will be speaking about Dream Dialogue at The Jung Society Finale on the 12th of June, 2015, at the Salt Lake City library. He will also be conducting a full day Dream Dialogue workshop the next day. Get his CD Rumi and the World of Dream at www.DreamDialogue.com.

 

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~Krista Clement
Co-Director of Events and Promotions
The Jung Society of Utah