Jungian-Senoi Dreamwork Manual

by Strephon Kaplan-Williams

This unique manual is a complete dreamwork course designed for both individuals and groups. It contains over 30 tried and tested dreamwork methods by which we can actualize our dreams and thus experience their meanings. The methods are based on two major the Jungian journey towards individuation or wholeness, and the idea of altering the dream state and using dreams to benefit individual and community life attributed to the Senoi people of Malaya – the so-called dream people. The techniques provide a means of renewing and creatively transforming our outer world into a state of harmonious wholeness.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Spirituality

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent set-up, with each chapter including an introduction to a style/method of dream-work, a brief vignette as an example, and step-by-step instructions for how to work with one's own dream. Thrilled at the section about Nightmares as this is often overlooked in counselling and psychological interventions, and the chapter in this text is patient, validating, and action-oriented.

I was disappointed, however, in the shoddy writing and found some of the "inspirational" pieces to fall short. I also got the impression that Kaplan Williams is sort of angry at Jung. I also disagreed with some of his interpretations of Jung's work- especially that interpretation and meaning of symbols can be applied. Although Jung did develop Western research on archetypes and mythological symbols in dreams, he constantly encouraged people to develop their own meaning within the symbols, and explore how the collective unconscious influences those symbols during sleep.

I felt a little bit like this manual impresses upon people to try a little harder toward self-actualization, and that does not really fit my philosophy. I found myself trapped in my own unrestful sleep while reading this book, desperate to remember parts of dreams, actually dreaming about waking up and documenting my dreams. Then I reminded myself of Christopher K. Germer, who said "Mindfulness is not about improving the self. It is about ending the compulsive striving to do everything better."

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This manual was a slow read, but gave me some valuable strategies for dream analysis. The theoretical framework was shaky and deviated from Jung towards a more "new-age" approach. Lacking the empiricism of Jungian theory caused its value to shrink, but the practical techniques have proved helpful in analyzing some dreams.

[Steph Burnside · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my fav dream book ever. It provides ancient techniques that are unique and helpful!