ABSTRACT
There is a distinct trend in modern dreamwork toward greater experiential exploration of dreams and away from interpretation. However, there remains a philosophical divide about the essential direction and purpose of dreamwork, which reflects polarized beliefs about the nature of dreams. Some dreamworkers make the connection of dreams to waking life situations central to their method, while others suggest we avoid this at all costs in favor of an interactive experience with the dream itself. This chapter first offers an explanation of the “dream divide” in terms of neuroscience, and then uses some selections from the menu of “common factors” choices to provide a detailed example of the avenues used in a focusing-oriented dreamwork session, which falls on the dream-centric (vs. self-centric) side of the dream divide.
