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ABSTRACT Transforming the Cancer Experience through Embodying the Dream Tallulah R. Lyons, M.Ed. Tallulah Lyons is the author of Dream Prayers, Dreamwork as a Spiritual Path. She facilitates a weekly dream group and teaches mind/body techniques to cancer survivors at The Wellness Community in Atlanta, GA. She combines art and dream work with her career as a special education director, teacher and consultant. She is certified in dream work through the Haden Institute. Summary of Presentation Participants in a weekly dream group at a cancer support community are
developing personalized approaches for embodying the dream. They are
integrating healing dream imagery through individualized meditative movement
and relaxation/visualization exercises. They are experiencing positive
transformation during the recovery process in the direction of meaning and
hope. 1) Participants will learn how meditative movement enhances the free flow of emotional energy carried by the dream. 2) Participants will learn basic principles of relaxation/visualization techniques. 3) Participants will learn basic findings from recent clinical studies regarding mind/body integration.
Evaluation questions: 1) How do meditative movement activities facilitate embodying the dream? 2) What are the critical elements of a guided visualization? 3) In what ways do relaxation/visualization techniques help to embody the dream?
Abstract Transforming the Cancer Experience through Embodying the Dream Participants in a weekly dream group at a cancer support community are developing personalized approaches for embodying the dream. They are integrating healing dream imagery with individualized meditative movement activities and relaxation/visualization exercises. The goal is to transform the cancer experience in the direction of meaning and hope. Members of the dream group begin each session with a deep relaxation ritual. They engage with their dreams in the group using a modified "Jeremy Taylor approach", then for an extended period of time, each member works outside the group to "embody" an image that feels particularly compelling or emotionally charged. Often, the selected image has been encountered through a series of dreams. Dreamers re-visualize their images during meditative movement activities (yoga, tai chi, walking meditation, meditative dance, etc.). Meditative movement balances and enhances the free flow of emotional energy. Maximum functioning of the immune system is dependent on the free flow of emotional expression. Since emotions are biochemical events, emotional change affects the body all the way down to the cellular level of the immune system (Candace Pert). Because dream imagery carries energy of emotional complexes that are most in need of transformation (Jeremy Taylor), meditative movement with dream images becomes an important vehicle for emotional/physiological change. Dreamers also develop personal visualization exercises. In a relaxed meditative state of consciousness, the dreamer engages with compelling dream imagery with all of the senses. It is essential that the dreamer be in a deep meditative state of consciousness and that all the senses be employed: sight, sound, taste and feel (Naparstek). As dreamers practice their personal exercises over a period of time, transformation occurs in both imagery and emotions. Feelings of hopelessness and isolation begin to transform in the direction of hope and a sense of connection. Fear, helplessness and lack of control begin to transform in the direction of trust, purpose and meaning. This paper discusses the dreams of six members of a weekly dream group at the Wellness Community in Atlanta, GA. It describes their meditative movement exercises and their relaxation/visualizations over a period of several months. It describes the gradual transformation of both imagery and emotions. The paper cites recent clinical findings on positive physiological effects of visualizations that are grounded in sensory memory and performed in an altered state. The implication is that practices for "embodying the dream" may become an important complementary treatment option. References Achterberg, Jeanne, Imagery in Healing: Shamanism and Modern Medicine, New Science Library, 1985. Barasch, Marc Ian and Hirshberg, Caryle, Remarkable Recovery. Barasch, Marc Ian, The Healing Path, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1993. Barasch Marc Ian, Healing Dreams, Penguin Putnam, Inc., 2000. Borysenko, Joan, Phd., Minding the Body, Mending the Mind, 1987. Carty, Amy, Positive Visualizations for People With Cancer and Those Who Love Them, 1993. Fanning, Patrick, Visualization for Change, New Harbinger Inc.,1988. Gordon, James S, M.D. Manifesto for a New Medicine, Perseus Books, 1996. Holland and Rowland, Handbook of Psycho/oncology. Johnson, Robert, Inner Work: Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth. Johnson, Robert, Owning Your Own Shadow, Harper Collins Paperback, 1993. Lerner, Michael, Choices in Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer, MIT Press, 1999. Le Shan, Lawrence, Cancer as a Turning Point, E.P.Dutton, 1989. Naparstek, Belleruth, Staying Well With Guided Imagery, Warner Books, 1995. Pert, Candace, Molecules of Emotion. Pert, Candace, Your Body is Your Subconscious Mind, Sounds True, 1999. Rossman, Martin L. Healing Yourself: A Step by Step Program for Better Health Through Imagery, Walker & Co., 1987. Simon, David, MD. Return to Wholeness, Embracing Body, Mind, Spirit in the Face of Cancer, 1999. Simonton, Carl O., Stephanie Matthews-Simonton and James Creighton, Getting Well Again, Bantam Books, 1978. Taylor, Jeremy, Where People Fly and Water Runs Uphill. Warner Books, Inc., 1992.
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