Dreams Help Participants Understand Their Inner Journey

CHARLESTON, West Virginia — Twelve people sit in the comfort of their own homes, preferably in a sacred quiet place, coming together as a group in a teleconference format. There is silence on the members end as they settle in for discussion and relaxation. The initial contact is a gentle reminder by the facilitator the intent of their gathering.

"Close your eyes and begin to think about letting go of the events of the day," begins Ernie Vecchio, the host, "so we can be open to whatever the soul reveals."

It's called a dream circle and if this is unfamiliar or a little too intimate for you, the dreamers disagree.

"To some people it may sound a little out there," says a previous participant. "I can honestly say, now that I have a sense of what is going on inside of me, my outside life has become incredible."

Dream Circles began as a cutting-edge trend that sprang out of the uncertainty caused by September 11th, a trend toward looking inward. They can be traced back centuries to native populations who believed dreams were not individual, but that all dreams fit together like pieces of a puzzle to give meaning to a collective consciousness.

Author, psychologist and spiritual teacher Ernie Vecchio has become an expert at gleaning the spiritual worth of dreams after 25+ years of working with severe trauma patients in a rehabilitation hospital.

He became interested in dreams early in his career "I found that dreams are a wonderful projective of a person’s inner life. Essentially, it offers the dreamer a status report of where they are on the path," says Vecchio, who teaches a psychospiritual approach to the human condition. "The whole point of dream circles is for everyone in the group to experience the dream , but while they’re awake."

"We endeavor in this process to see how the dream might be collective or universal in its meaning," says Vecchio. "The interpretation and sharing of the dream offers the circle members a glimpse at the intent of the personal and universal soul."

"A new group of twelve is forming soon," says Vecchio. "I have no doubt that it will fill quickly as the participants will be chosen from the internet community. Interested parties can listen to my internet talk show www.blogtalkradio.com/know-your-dreams for the details." Dream Circle participants will be committing to attending twelve teleconferences for a total of $420.00. Running twelve weeks, each participant will learn about the contribution of their personal dream, while also benefiting from the collective messages of the other eleven members.

"We held a certain vibration," says a past member. "It got me out of my personality. I saw what others see, a broader view."

"And why not look at your dreams?" asks another. "You can't change the world without changing yourself."

What to expect? Over the course of sixty to ninety minutes the members will settle into the sanctuary of their homes while one member shares their dream with the group. The dream will be examined beforehand for its insights and to stimulate conversation. Dream telling--like story telling--spreads the energy of the symbols throughout the group. As the insights unfold, the group will talk about their worth and meaning to them.

"It will take practice," Vecchio says. "It's not just a normal phone interaction where you are distracted by television and children. The participants will create an opening to BE. Finding a quiet place in their home means they can find a quiet place inside."

"It's about revealing the soul’s intent," he says. "Looking at your life through the lens of the heart rather than your ego."

Members will be anonymous and secure as they are guided by a therapist with an extensive career dealing in dreams. Vecchio, licensed in clinical, school, and rehabilitation psychology, has recently released The Soul’s Intent: An Interview with the Divine.

"What the members will be doing is understanding and finding a context for what might be happening in their dream — and with confidence," he says. "These inner experiences will then be used to enrich and take charge of their waking life."

"There is a great awakening that is occurring worldwide that is best described as spiritual. Unfortunately, there is little useful context for people’s daily lives. Imagine being able to know where you are (or not) on the spiritual path. It gives people a self-report about their journey. Not my opinion or the ego’s perception. Rather, an inner voice that is always on, never off, and always loving." says Vecchio.

Dream enthusiasts want to awaken. "We want to go places inwardly that enhances our outer life," says a past participant. "Most of us can’t wait!"

Article by Innerscape