The Transformational Power of Dreaming

Reviews / Votes

"More than a thousand books have been written about dreams. If you had to choose just one, you could not do better than this beautiful integration of the biological, psychological, cultural, mythological, and spiritual dimensions of these mysteries of the night. The best, most practical techniques for remembering and understanding your dreams are placed in the rich context of humanity's best dream interpreters, from ancient shamans through Freud, Jung, and contemporary authorities with whom the authors have studied, up to the authors themselves. Just reading this book has enriched our dream lives, and it is bound to stimulate your psyche as well!" * Donna Eden and David Feinstein, Ph.D., coauthors of The Energies of Love * "A deep well of knowledge from two of the world's most respected dream cartographers. This book is mythically oriented, historically detailed, and everyday practical. It also serves as a fascinating personal memoir about the crucial role of dream practices in contemporary mythopoetics. A fine feat! Highly recommended for all dream enthusiasts looking to remember who we really are." * Ryan Hurd, author of Sleep Paralysis * "The Transformational Power of Dreaming is a beautiful synthesis of scholarship, science, mythology, and the many fascinating but little-known facts about the lives of those dreamers who have had an outsized influence on humanity--scientists and inventors, philosophers, and even some of the great spiritual heroes of our kind. For me this book is a delightful balance of insight and human touch with generous openings into clinical practice and growth. A great bedside read to usher you into the night's journey." * Edward Bruce Bynum, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., author of The Dreamlife of Families * "I have read numerous books about dreams and dreaming, but Stephen Larsen and Tom Verner have revealed insights that are both new and old, both practical and entertaining. The Transformational Power of Dreaming takes the reader on a wild trip that spans centuries and continents. Its description of contemporary brain neuroscience is solid but the book also delves into Greek dream incubation, Tibetan lucid dreaming, Jungian dreamwork, and an innovative procedure by which readers can enter the portals of their own dreams. Actual dream reports from the authors' clients and students illuminate novel ideas, conveying personal touches that will touch the heart and move the soul." * Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Working with Dreams and PTSD Nightmares * "The power of The Transformational Power of Dreaming as told by Stephen and Tom is the story of the dreams of history--of how they were incubated, used, and valued by our ancestors--dreams that gave them directions to find health and harmony in the ways they lived. By listening to the dream spirits of our ancestors and of the Earth, these spirits can carry us into a world that heals both us and the Earth and can bring us peace. This book needs to be read and practiced by all." * Nicholas E. Brink, Ph.D., Ecstatic Soul Retrieval * "The authors lucidly map how consciousness and unconsciousness 'look' at each other and can be brought into deeper, more intimate conversation. This insightful, entertaining book is also an immensely practical guide to working with dreams. Verner and Larsen's fascinating stories, meticulous explications, and poetic intelligence inspire our dreaming selves and lead us toward more concentrated, richer lives. They make a wise and convincing case for how, as our roots deepen, our branches blossom." * Tony Hoagland, poet and teacher * "The Transformational Power of Dreaming urges us to drink from the inexhaustible waters of the mythic imagination that flows through us every night when we dream and to use these dark depths to help orient us in life, direct us on our way, and to companion us in times of our soul's despair. The book offers a wealth of helpful understandings and exercises for those who are seeking connection with the deeper mythic imagination that lies awaiting them inside." * Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm * "Diverse yet cohesive, this encyclopedic work invites readers to explore the "partnership we are in with the deeper more autonomous parts of our being" through an understanding of dreams...this book provides context and history about working with dreams that will appeal to readers who want to engage the sleepy side of the mind." * Publishers Weekly *