by Connie Bovier
Years ago, before I embarked on serious dreamwork, a friend recounted a dream in which he’d clearly had an encounter with the divine. Although haunted by the image of a veil stripped away between a holy presence and himself, he was reluctant to welcome its implied message. Instead, he sought validation from others. Of course, no one recalled having a dream exactly like his and he left the gathering disappointed. I, however, departed in excitement, treasuring the message I’d received to open myself to the numinosities that might manifest in my own unconscious during the night.
Since then I’ve learned to listen for God in dreamspeak – the language of symbol. A recurring dream of rising floodwaters, for instance, ceased when I accepted its suggestion to dive into the realm of my deeper self. Numerous house dreams have shed light on issues in my current life – through clutter or cleanliness, mysterious hallways and central rooms, threats or comforts, and my reactions to the other parts of me who share the space with me. Happily my dream journals also are highlighted by symbols resonating spiritual energy – choir robes and religious habits, an encounter with the pope, display tables covered by appealing white religious artifacts, my spiritual director performing tai chi amid low-hanging white clouds.
Some dream symbols are humorously obvious in meaning, such as me fleeing danger by hurrying upstairs to find my Father, or my industrious efforts to restore a neglected black and white lighthouse. Other symbols release their energies slowly through prayer, patient dreamwork and sharing with confidants who share a belief in dreams as holy material.
Today I embrace dreamwork as a rewarding spiritual discipline – a practice that nudges, supports and challenges me on my journey into deeper truths and toward greater healing and wholeness as I live forward into the creation God meant me to be.
Connie Bovier is an author, spiritual director and retreat leader living in the Houston area. She serves on the board of Charis, the spiritual director training program of the Texas Annual Conference. Connie formed a small group to process dreams. They meet regularly to share insights and discover more fully how God is speaking to them through their dreams.