Page 147 - Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained Vol. 3

128 Mysteries of the Mind

Dr. Carl Jung (1875–1961). the objects in the dream, and by becoming
(THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS) aware of the messages contained in the dream.
Perls found that in order to learn from
dreams, it is not essential to work out the
entire dream structure. To work even with
small bits of the dream is to learn more about
the dreamer. In order to “relive” a dream one
must first refresh one’s memory of it by writ-
ing it down or by telling it to another person
as a story that is happening now, in the pre-
sent tense.
Perls used the present tense in all of
Gestalt dream work. In his view, dreams are
the most spontaneous expression of the exis-
tence of the human being. One might per-
ceive dreams being much like a stage produc-
tion, but the action and the direction are not
under the same control as in waking life.
Therefore, Perls advised, it is helpful to visual-
ize a dream as a script from one’s own internal
stage production.
Each part of the dream is likely to be dis-
guised or to bear a hidden message about the
dreamer. When the message comes through,
Symbology of Dreams
the individual will feel that shock of recogni-
Fritz Perls (1893–1970), the founder of tion that Gestalt called the “Ah-ha!”
Gestalt therapy, believed that dreams were Perls concluded that every dream has a
“the royal road to integration.” In his view the message to reveal to the dreamer. Like most
various parts of a dream should be thoroughly dream researchers, he recommends that one
examined and even role-played to gain self- keep a paper and pencil at bedside in order to
awareness and to integrate fragmented aspects record the important points of one’s dreams as
of the personality into wholeness. According they are remembered.
to Perls, the different parts of a dream are frag-
Dr. Stanley Krippner (1932– ), formerly
ments of the human personality. To become a
of the Maimonides Dream Laboratory in New
unified person without conflicts, one must put
York City, said if one were to lie quietly in bed
the different fragments of the dream together.
for a few moments each morning the final
dream of the night would often be remem-
bered. In Krippner’s opinion, no dream sym-
bols carry the same meaning for every person.
IN order to learn from dreams, it is not essential to Despite certain mass-produced “dream inter-
pretation guides,” the research in the dream
work out the entire dream structure.
laboratories indicates that only a skilled thera-
pist, working closely with an individual over a
long period of time, can hope to interpret
The Gestalt approach to learning about dream symbolism with any degree of correct-
oneself through dreams lies in a concerted ness. Even then the therapist’s interpretations
attempt to integrate one’s dreams, rather than would hold true for only that one subject.
seeking to analyze them. This can be accom- Krippner points out, however, that certain
plished by consciously reliving the dreams, by dreams do occur with great frequency among
taking responsibility for being the people and peoples all over the world. Dr. Carl G. Jung

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