Association for the Study of Dreams

Phone:  (866) DREAM12 (toll-free) or (209) 724-0889

E-mail:  ASDCentralOffice@aol.com / Website:  www.ASDreams.org

ASD Conference Story Ideas

Night Wars:  Dreams of September 11—Before and After

Osama Bin Laden is said to have been concerned that dreams could have given away his evil plot before it was carried out.  While this did not happen, many people did dream of a tragedy of epic proportions before 9-11, some with images eerily similar to the twin towers.  Many people are still plagued with nightmares about the disaster.  Common patterns have been observed in dreams of survivors of diverse kinds of trauma and we are seeing many of these patterns play out with post 9-11 dreams.  A variety of presenters will approach dreams of September 11 from numerous angles.  One presenter has done ongoing work with New York firefighters about their dreams before 9-11—and since.  Other speakers and workshops will explore nightmares and the healing power of dreams after 9-11, including sessions on children and traumatic dreams.

Islam, Dreams and September 11

Kelly Bulkeley, PhD., will discuss the rich dream tradition of Islam and its relevance in the post-September 11 world.  From the first revelatory visions of the prophet Mohammed to the myriad dream practices of present-day Muslims, Islam has developed and sustained a complex, multi-faceted tradition of active engagement with the dreaming imagination.

Psi phenomena: Can we see the future – and perhaps change it?

Dale Graff, formerly of the Stargate program, has seen how the U.S. Department of Defense used remote viewing and dreaming.  Graff will share his experiences and research, focusing on the crime alert and crime solving potential of psi dreams.  He will use specific examples, including the famous Boston Strangler case and other criminal incidents.  He will also discuss the importance of enhancing psi vigilance in this post 9-11 era, and explain how to recognize, evaluate and act on suspected psi warning dreams.

Field of Dreams:  Native American Cultures and Dreaming

Archeological excavation of a Middleboro, MA Little League site has yielded a wealth of information about the Native Americans who lived there between 6000 and 3000 years ago.  It has also generated a host of dreams among the excavators, which will be shared.  Another presentation on Dreaming Among the Lenni Lenapi: Prophetic History and Native American Cultural Transformation will explore how dreaming was a primary basis for maintaining cultural survival and religious innovation at a time of great upheaval.

Cultures of Dreaming

Robert Bosnak, incoming ASD president and a moving force behind the National Nightmare Hotline, has just returned from the Dordogne region in France, known as the cradle of pre–history.  Drawing on his extensive travels and longtime work with dream workers around the globe, he will discuss Cultures of Dreaming.

Dreams and filmmaking:  A Creative Link

Multiple presenters will discuss dreams and cinematography.  Topics will cover how directors use their own dreams in filmmaking, what cinematic techniques are used to portray dream experience, how movies influence the dreams of people in the audience, and what psychological dynamics are shared by experiencing a dream and watching a movie.

Dream Incubation:  Ancient Technique for Current Times

The ancient and widespread practice of dream incubation has implications for us today.  One presenter will discuss how different cultures used this theologically charged ritual process while another will conduct a highly experiential workshop on the subject.  Participants will learn how to use the transformative practice of dream incubation to deal with the challenges created by our turbulent, chaotic times.

Dream Activism:  Making a Difference in Our World

Our dreams affect all of humanity.  This workshop will show how people can use their dreams for community and global peace and prosperity.  Participants will develop and initiate a dream activism platform for the dreaming community to use individually and in groups.

And these are just some of the many story possibilities.  Also consider:

Ø      How can parents deal with children’s nightmares?

Ø      What are the effects of a stroke on sleep and dreams?

Ø      What do dreams have to teach us about retirement, aging and the dying process?

Ø      How have dreams been used in treating people with eating disorders?

Ø      How do incoming college students experience their dreams and how do they help with the transitional process?

Ø      How does stress influence dream content?

Ø      How do contemporary songwriters carry on an age-old dreaming tradition?

Ø      And much, much more!

Please check our website for a full program with all our speakers and topics.  Conference information is located at http://www.asdreams.org/2002/index.htm  and other media materials can be found at http://www.asdreams.org/pr/index.htm.

Media Contacts

Wendy Pannier - ASD Media
610-995-1507 
E-mail: wpannier@capitalanalysts.com

Sue Moreno - Business Office
209-724-0889