Dreaming the Taoist Way
“One of the greatest insights [ancient Taoists] gained exploring the connection between dreams and energy practices was that dreams are experiences taking place at the level of the subtle bodies. In other words, as a person begins to fall asleep and the senses gradually disconnect from the physical world, they turn inward… Every time we place the head on the pillow and fall asleep our consciousness focuses its gaze upon a dimension which is not limited by time or space… The practices developed by the ancient Taoists around dream state were designed to tap into the inexhaustible reservoir of possibilities that transcending time and space offers. One essential notion they got rid of was the ordinary belief that dreams are fantasies with no basis in reality…” –Juan Li
In this series we will learn the Taoist Dream Practice which is gentle and enjoyable… and more about cultivating a connection with that subtle reality than assigning fixed meanings or interpretations. We’ll dream over the weeks of our series together, “inviting the dreams” and recording and tracking them as we’re able.
Part of our journey will clarify “where, possibly, do dreams come from?” Or, “Where am I when I dream?” There are many ideas about this… perhaps there are many locations or origins… or perhaps they’re all the same vast non-ordinary reality called by different names.
In our zoom gatherings, we’ll move through ritual skills in relation to dreamwork and energy work in a safe, grounded framework delivered in an open and experiential context, rooted in informative guided drop-in/meditations and rituals and ‘homework’ that deepens our skill and understanding.
Our weekly meetings will open with a responsive teaching, followed by small breakout groups to share recent dreams, then we’ll rejoin the whole group to meditatively “re-enter” our dream. Re-entering dreams uses simple, but enlightening steps that can unearth deeper dream experiences or change and reclaim the outcome of nightmares.
We will close class with internal energy circulation methods, centering on The Microcosmic Orbit (the lower body, the full orbit, the orbit extending beyond our physical body). Closing with the Orbit will recenter and solidify our energies and awareness. Beginners will be supported in learning these methods and experienced students will be able to go deeper and into more detail. Others may be added if they feel aligned.
6 monthly 120 minute classes on Zoom. Any instruction or background talk will be recorded and privately posted so you have permanent access.