Introduction to Dream Tending

Introduction to Dream Tending: Engaging with Living Dreams

Stephen Aizenstat’s Dream Tending presents a unique approach to dreams, viewing them as living experiences rather than puzzles. Each dream element is seen as alive with its own intelligence. This method treats dreams as dynamic realms where the unconscious communicates through symbols.

Dream Tending encourages interaction with dreams as if they are real, offering wisdom and healing. Thanks to the Dream Tenders who attended the second session, where we explored Dream Tending's core concepts, its distinction from traditional interpretation, and how to engage with your dreams. Whether new or experienced in dreamwork, Dream Tending provides a transformative way to connect with your inner world.

The Core Concepts that we explored were:

Association

Allow your mind to swiftly connect the dream image with any memories, emotions, thoughts, or past events. Let each connection lead to another without seeking the "correct" answer. Simply follow the thoughts as they arise and record them in your dream journal. Pay special attention to any childhood memories that surface. These could reveal why this image appears in your dreams now, offering insight into your personal subconscious.

Application

In Amplification, enhance your comprehension of the dream image by associating it with universal symbols such as the Hero, Wise Elder, Trickster, or Mother Figure, and narratives like the Hero’s Journey, Rebirth and Change, or the Night Sea Journey. 

Consider characters from stories, literature, or contemporary culture that align with your dream image, and examine how these universal themes reflect your current life. For instance, if your dream involves a journey, it might resemble the Hero’s Journey, indicating a period of challenge or personal growth in your life. 

Amplification expands the dream’s interpretation, allowing you to discover new ideas and perspectives. Think expansively and incorporate examples from both the present and the past. A character from a story, a modern movie star, or even a political figure might represent a current cultural symbol. 

Document your thoughts and explore how this broader perspective provides insight into your present life situations.

Animation

This core practice of Dream Tending involves bringing the dream image to life, right here and now. Visualize the figure present in the room with you. See it clearly in your mind's eye, even if it’s wispy or faint. Imagine it as a living being, separate from your associations and amplifications. Observe how it moves and interacts with you. What impact does it have on you? Document your observations, focusing on how the image acts and connects with your presence.

In the Dream Circle, each member is guided to tend to a dream using reflective questions designed to deepen their connection to the dream's imagery and emotional resonance. Afterward, participants have the option to share their reflections and receive feedback. During feedback, the group focuses on exploring the dream as if it were their own, avoiding advice or interpretations that impose meaning on the dreamer. This approach is a supportive, open-ended space for personal discovery and shared insight.

With palms together,

—Annecy Báez

I am an educator, psychotherapist, mixed media collage artist, and the author of "My Daughter’s Eyes and Other Stories." As a facilitator for SoulCollage® and Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA), I integrate energy healing, dreamwork, and writing to promote growth and connection. My work with individuals and groups is focused on empowering people to embrace their unique stories and tap into the healing power of creativity and self-expression.

Since my teenage years, I have been passionate about dream work. In the early 1980s, I enhanced my practice by joining dream circles and weekend workshops led by William R. Stimson in Chelsea, where I interacted with esteemed dream teachers like Montague Ullman and Patricia Garfield. To gain further insights, I later studied with Robert Moss, the author of The Three "Only" Things: Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence, and Imagination. Currently, I am broadening my expertise by attending classes with Dr. Stephen Aizenstat, the founder of Dream Tending. I now lead monthly dream circles, offering participants a supportive and interactive environment to explore the wisdom of their dreams.