W ithin this CD, publisher Sounds True presents a truly professional product on dream interpretation that owes nothing to what I would call ‘fluffy’ dreamwork.
      They have previously released numerous audio works by Dr. Estes who is a Jungian psychoanalyst with a background in oral and ethnic storytelling tradition. She is also a post-trauma specialist who has authored additional bestselling books. Among these are Women Who Run with the Wolves and The Faithful Gardener.
      Her current post-trauma service includes counselling for the Columbine High School, Jefferson County, Colorado community after the massacre there in 1999 and ongoing work with 9/11 victims’ and survivors’ families since that 2001 tragedy.
      In this CD she uses the techniques of Carl Jung to enable the listener to access the wisdom of their dreams. Be assured your dreams do indeed contain wisdom.
      For the beginner in dream interpretation this CD is an easy-to-understand place to start – and extremely sensible. The content is underpinned by sound psychological principles in the Jungian tradition.
      First, it is explained that all humans dream. Some remember lots of dreams, some a few and some claim never to dream. Sorry to all you folks who believe you are dreamless, but you do dream even if you are not aware of it. It is a normal human neurological function and inescapable.
      As a listener you are given brief, but highly relevant little lectures on the nature and function of dreams. Dr. Estes also points out why certain dreams have a different feel and tone than others.
      She clearly states that dreams are messages from the unconscious and reflect what is important to each individual. This unconscious material is not available to the waking consciousness and can be a source of creativity, change and synchronicity.
      The underlying implication is that there are very sound reasons for making an effort to interpret your dreams. She examines and presents them on this CD.
      Subsequent tracks outline the mechanics or ‘how-to’ of dream recording and remembering. Among the techniques are self-talk before retiring, pen & paper (with a bedside light for middle-of-the-night recording), tape recording, dream journal recording or dream group meetings.
      She offers a very nice meditation that will help the listener on their way and recommends that the dreamer should record this in their own voice.
      If you feel dream recording is going to take up a lot of time, you are quite right. I have tried it and found it absorbing, but time-consuming. For a lot of people it is well worth the effort. I have kept my dream journals from many years ago and still spend time recalling them and the messages they conveyed.
      After the dreams are recorded Dr. Estes outlines the psychoanalytic method of interpretation. This is a tried and true method and brings many ‘ah-ha’ moments.
      From personal experience, I can say that once your unconscious gets a whiff of your conscious intent to record your dreams, you are flooded with dreams large and small – as if there is a backlog of messages! A perfect allegory is your email inbox after you have been away for a few weeks – where to start?
      This dream overload can be quite disconcerting for beginners in this practice. For serious dreamers I recommend finding a reputable dreamworker who can guide you as you begin your dream interpretation odyssey in order to learn appropriate techniques in dream recording.
      There are ways to limit the sheer volume of material that surfaces. Nothing is ever lost. As Dr. Estes says, dreams are “a message from home.”
      This set is a listening treat. You will learn lots about dreams and even more about yourself. Dr. Estes is a most experienced, safe and compassionate guide for your inner journey. I recommend this instructional CD for all dreamers.
      Dream on…