Neptune's Dolphins

 

Dr. Christopher Sowtan (ND) in “Dreamworking” contends that nightmares occur when people do not do their shadow work. He regards nightmares as the unacknowledged Shadow, that intrudes into people’s waking consciousness. Once the Shadow is dealt with, the nightmare will cease. (Note 1.)

 

My husband has night terrors. I have been advised to soothe and coax him back to sleep. To do that, I borrowed a custom from the Japanese. They would ask the Baku to eat their nightmares. (Note 2.) I have a stuffed iguana, about the size of a small child, that I keep in bed with us. I would lay the stuffed reptile on him and say, “The iguana is going for help. Let the iguana take over.” It calms him down at the moment.

 

For me, nightmares fill in the gaps of waking experiences. They form a part of our reality as well as reveal what is hidden. Dreams including nightmares allow people to access knowledge that lies beyond everyday reality. Therefore, I seek methods that involve transforming or containing the nightmares, instead of simply preventing them.

 

If someone asked me for help with a nightmare, I would advise them to treat their nightmares as honored guests. The nightmare is there to help the person. The poet Rumi writes, “The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.” He continues, “Be grateful for whatever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” (Note 3.) The key would be to delve into the nightmare.

 

To transform a nightmare, Dr. Sowton suggests sorting nightmares into types. Then work with the category that is the most prevalent. Focus on what it is, and what it is trying to tell you. I had nightmares of being stuck with needles and pins. I interpreted them to be introjects into my psyche from other people. After taking steps to reassess the people I associated with, the needles began to push out. As I broke off harmful relationships, the needles and pins expelled themselves. Then, I stopped having these sorts of nightmares.

 

Another method that I use to transform a nightmare is what Stephen Larsen and Tom Verner suggests in “The Transformational Power of Dreams.” They refer to their method as “The Coffee (Sanka) Approach.” Talk to the nightmare as if you are sitting across it, drinking coffee. Look the nightmare in the eye, and tell it, “Hey! This is MY dream! Tell what you want or leave or else.” Usually that will transform the dream or at least give answers as to why the nightmare is happening. I have had good results with this method.

 

Notes

Note 1. I see nightmares as oracles to be pondered.

 

Note 2. According to the Japanese, the Baku was created by the Gods from the leftover pieces used to create animals. (A Baku looks like a cross between an elephant and a tapir.) A person experiencing a nightmare, would say three times, “Baku-san, come eat my dream.” A person has to be careful since a very hungry Baku will devour their hopes as well.

 

Note 3. As quoted by Kathryn Ridall, “Dreaming at the Gates.”

 

Works Used:

Bynum, Edward, “The Dreamlife of Families: The Psychospiritual Connection.” Inner Traditions: Rochester (VT). 2017.

Chamberlain, Basil, “Japanese Things.” Charles Tuttle: Tokyo. 1971.

Ellison, Robert, “Ogham: The Secret Language of the Druids.” ADF Publishing: Tucson (AZ). 2007.

Heaven and Earth LLC. Metaphysical Minerals and Jewelry. Web. 2021. https://heavenandearthjewelry.com/index.aspx.

Johnson, Clare, “The Art of Lucid Dreaming.” Llewellyn: Woodbury (MN). 2020.

… “The Art of Transforming Nightmares.” Llewellyn: Woodbury (MN). 2021.

Larsen, Stephen and Tom Verner, “The Transformational Power of Dreaming.” Inner Traditions: Rochester (VT). 2017.

Ridall, Kathryn, “Dreaming at the Gates.” DreamGate: Ventura (CA). 2019.

Sowton, Christopher, “Dreamworking.” Llewellyn: Woodbury (MN). 2017.