Our Dreaming Mind

by Robert L. Van De Castle

"A MASTERPIECE ON DREAMS...This book is a singular resource.... If it inspires you to remember your dreams, this book will change your life. If it inspires you to act on your dreams, this book will change the world."
--Henry Reed
Author of Getting Help from Your Dreams
and Dream Solutions
In this brilliantly researched and thorough study, internationally recognized dream authority Robert L. Van de Castle examines the vital role that dreams have played throughout history, from the dreams of ancient Sumerian kings to the pioneering dream research of nineteenth-century psychologists. Our Dreaming Mind delves into the most provocative experiments that scientists are conducting on the dreaming mind in this century and surveys ongoing dream experiments: dreams and sexual arousal, the impact of pregnancy on dreams, the connection between dreams and creativity, and the possibility of paranormal dreams.
"In Our Dreaming Mind, Robert Van de Castle pulls decades of accumulated wisdom together in a sweeping panorama unsurpassed in the literature for its scope, its insight, and its ability to captivate its readers.
--Stanley Krippner
Director of The Saybrook Institute
Editor of Dream Time and Dream Work
"IMMENSELY READABLE...A monumental history of dreams."
--Publishers Weekly
"Our Dreaming Mind is really a dream come true--the most comprehensive, authoritative, and inspiring book on dreams I know about. At heart, this book is about human consciousness and our place in the universe. A magnificent contribution."
--Larry Dossey, M.D.
Author of Meaning & Medicine:
A Doctor's Tales of Breakthrough and Healing

AN ALTERNATE SELECTION OF THE BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Science, History, Reference, Collections, Health

547 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1994

Reviews

[Mack Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever had a really good dream that you wanted to share, but when it comes to be time, you forget? According to sleep research, psychologists have discovered that keeping a dream journal will significantly help you remember your dreams. This book was written by a psychologist, Robert Van De Castle, in the 1950’s, who conducted many experiments and studies of his own. He taught psychology at various schools and often collected dream journals from his students. With these dream journals he then came to many conclusions about dreaming. Through his studies he became paired with scientists and was then offered a chance to conduct experiments. He also brings up work from many past scientists and psychologists. In this book he reveals many breakthrough studies that have helped shape dream and sleep research. I wanted to read this because it seemed very interesting, and informative about dreams. I flipped through the pages and certain topics caught my eye and I became excited to read it. I knew that if I read this book I would learn so much about dreams-which I did. It was very interesting and talked a lot about scientists I had never heard but, and also time periods that were very significant for dream discoveries. You should read this book because it is very interesting and has a lot of good information. Many of my questions about dreams were answered and I learned more than I ever thought I would. This book has over 400 pages, but it is worth the read. I would recommend this book if you are curious about dreams, psychology, or just want to learn something new and fascinating.

[William Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly, my ex-girlfriend bought me this book years ago because of my interest in dream interpretation. Though interested in reading it, I didn’t prioritize it until I was granted permission to teach, “The Psychology of Dreams and Dreaming” at FIU this summer. The book just happened to be the same the other professor who teaches it uses. Either quite a coincidence, or perhaps it has some merit in the field. Admittedly I didn’t read it all, and only skimmed some of the chapters. After all, one rarely teaches the whole textbook. But I read the vast majority.

The text, though last published in 1994, has a very 70’s feel to it. There is a great deal about paranormal dreaming, which the author studied pretty extensively. Though often quite intriguing, I felt it went a little further than my tastes. Still, he often paints a convincing picture of the existence of such phenomena as telepathic dreaming, dreams that tell the future, and even dreams that foretell illness. I wish there were more modern evidence to support his beliefs, but anyone studying these topics currently would be laughed out of a university.

The book does a good overall job of explaining the history of dream interpretation, and one can see how interpretation has remained consistent for centuries. It also explains the body’s affect on dreaming, as well as circumstances (residue of the day, movies watched, etc.). This is done quite scientifically.

Most importantly, there is a good overview of some of the main theories. Freud gets his own chapter, as does Jung. Then there is another chapter dedicated to other theorists he deemed important. This all serves to offer the reader different perspectives and tools to begin interpreting their own dreams, or provides students with perhaps the only training they’ll have with dream work.

Overall I liked the book. There were times I felt he took his perspective too far, but many authors do. I still recommend the book as an overview of dream work and to starting conversations about dreams and what they mean.

[Alan Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I’ve been studying dreams all my life, and because I write books myself, now and then I wonder if it isn’t time to write one about dreams. But every time I have to say to myself: “Why not just tell them to read Van de Castle?”

This book is advertised as a “sweeping exploration” of dreams, and that’s no exaggeration. If you want to learn as much as possible about dreams in one very readable book, this is it.

There are bonuses. Van de Castle surveys the dream experts of the ancient past, and those of other cultures. You’ll see that a deep interest and understanding of dreams is nothing new. Then there’s his own research into the barely explored region of telepathic dreams. I was not aware of the strong, and very interesting evidence for dreams in which groups of people inter-connect.

You won’t read it in a day (545 pages), but if you’re seriously interested in dreams this is one book you must read.

[Alethea Hammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot and took so long to read it because it was well worth the time. It requires a lot of thinking about between chapters. For me, the best parts were the early chapters dealing with dream references from ancient writers, and dream theories from the early pioneers of psychology in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Then I got somewhat bogged down in the long middle section dealing with 'recent' dream research and theories. The book was published 20 years ago, so what it reports as 'current research' is often somewhat dates. However, it is good to slog on through in case you might miss something that matters. The last chapters were again very rewarding, dealing in some areas of research being done in other countries and the final chapters dealing with lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is a subject well worth further research, both in reading and practice.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overall reader on the topics of dreams. One of the few book that give an overview on dreams that actually talks a lot about modern dream research. I also enjoyed the early chapters about dreams in early civilization and the chapters on Freud and Jung.

[Margret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for unlocking the mystery of our dreams.

[Lish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, lots of scientific research regarding various aspects of dreams as well as a significant historical background on dreams

[Pamela]

haven't read since June 20, 2024 to page 397 at 72.58%, putting on pause until I return. Or decide that I read enough.
Very much like a text book...not what I hoped for.

[Meghan Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of dream interpretation, this book is full of rich content that dives into the history of dream interpretation from multicultural aspects, sharing commonalities, as well as differences. It shares many dream examples throughout history, and explores the impact dreams have had on human culture.

Great read.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than expected.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for the fairly serious student of dreams and dream psychology. It can be read by the layperson and such a person will get a lot out of the work. Some background in psychology would be helpful but not necessary to understand and get a lot out of the book.

It almost told me more about dreams than I wanted to know but because it kept changing focus throughout the book it retained my interest.

This is a good read.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a lot of interesting information pertaining to the history, theorists and research of dreams. It also highlights many of the theorists before and after Freud who have been overlooked and contributed heavily to the field of dream research (if not more). It makes for a great reference book as well. The chapters about paranormal dreaming such as precognitive, clairvoyant, and telepathic dreams are especially very interesting and make for an intriguing read.

[Terra Bosart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good overview of experiments done on the nature of dreaming, thoughts and psychological observations, and history. Not at any point does this book attempt to interpret your dreams for you, which no book should attempt to do, but it does explain how some have interpreted situational aspects of the subconscious mind. Interesting and thought provoking, the way I like my books.

[Katrina Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of the dream world. Van de Castle has done it all, from working in a sleep lab, being the subject in a sleep lab, visiting an indigenous culture in the Caribbean to find out their thoughts on dreams, and doing numerous psychological studies. He's interested in telepathic dreams, which definitely piqued my interest in the book. A wealth of knowledge.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting look into the mind when it's dreaming. An overview is given at the beginning, and the many voices that are out there, including psychological, mystical, and physiological are covered thoroughly to give a reader a better perspective with which to make up their minds regarding the purpose of our unconcious mind and if it really has a place in dreamland. Very intesting read.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been referring to this book for quite a few years. Interesting.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought and read during my undecided major years--I was on a total psychology kick. Pretty in depth look at dreams, nothing that struck my fancy though.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to dream study!

[Brendan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't actually read this, just went through it and got the overall gist of it.

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive overview. Easy reading

[Glori McCartor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this while I was in psychology. It interested me greatly!

[Jessica Bensinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for a class and it was very hard to understand at certain points. There were plenty of examples, maybe too many? I didn't enjoy this reading as much as I thought I would.