Native philosophy
The creator something that is always changing (constant)
Native Philosophy fundamental ideas of human being and the world to help us solve problems of our
lives
to become whole humans
 connection to spiritual religion & use of oral teaching
Native Philosophers Elders
Shamens
Medicine People
Enlightenment About the self and world around them
1) physical world
2) Meta-physical world—unseen spiritual world
3) everything is alive (energy)
Both are the belief of the world
4) everything is connected (all realities)
5) environment—Nature
looked to environment for their direction in life
6) Symbols
Circle: connection of the wholeness and unity of people
 Spiral: transformation and change—circle to another point
Specific Philosophies
Philosophy of the Circle— Teaching come directly from the earth (everything in the world wants to be
circular)
only thing that is ultimately constant and unchanging is the great mystery
a way they construct their life—everything is a mirror (reflects back onto us)
The great Mystery—represent wholeness and unity
used to make sense of the world and remember things
The great unknown—Dot (represents things in this world that is constant and
unchanged—mystery itself)
outer circle—represent all things are changing
Philosophy of Balance of Opposites Physical vs. Meta-physical
 Teaching of Eagle feather—rigid, solid, firm (bottom/ holds in place) vs. flexibility (smaller top)
Philosophy of 4’s everything happens in fours (seasons, plants, animals, directions, mediations…
Movement & changeadd arrows to it (circle)
Every individual is original medicine bring our personal gifts, talents and resources forward (help
healing of earth)
Empowerment toolssinging/ Sonics
bells
walking meditation
contemplation
prayer (asking/ potitioning for something/someone)
vision quest
Wholeness, Circles/ Cycles
Balance of Opposites
Quadrants of 4’s
Movement, changing, transforming to change
All work together & affect one another
Medicine Wheel
Core heart of every aspect of Native Philosophy
Medicine Wheelnative peoples thoughts and ideas
Has flexibility to it—have movement within it
everything is separated into 4 quadrants; Medicine wheel= power/energy
 physical world
emotion (feelings)
mental (intelligence) thinking
spiritual
teaching people to live in harmony and balance
dynamicthoughts are constantly moving
Use and develop all your skills as a human through it
We are all connected (different yet still all used some version of the medicine
wheel)
represents vison—want to be whole human beings and it is a multi-dimensional
approach to that
about your dreams, your goals about what you want to be
help answer: who we are, why we are, meant to do, what destiny is
the ultimate will came from the creator—to create life & this world
he is seen in everything & is all around—gives clarity moving to
determination to stick to what you started
The wisdom ones—Philosophers
Shamanistic Practices (drumming)
Fundamental concepts, templates
(model)—eastsunrise
Tools, technologies, knowledge to Help require
enlightenment (to understand self and world better)
Levels of the Medicine Wheel
Knowledge information which has been made known through experience, association, or patterns
(unique and not always correct)
Wisdom the ability to make right use of knowledge and spiritual perception
physical—meta-physical (spiritual perception)
having insight
Truththings you are trying to seek that is true to your
a transcendent, fundamental or spiritual reality ( the ultimate reality?)
Sounds and Sonics
Different kinds of sounds, chants, rhythms, and beats that native people have used thousands of years
to help them become more knowledgeable and enlightened (one of the four ointments)
Some have Words (Songs), No Words—sounds from voice (Chants with Sonics), Or just Silence
Most Powerful Songs are ones with No wordsnot bound by words and word meanings
Transcends words; Surpass/ goes beyond words
works with the sound that shape shifts things not words
word labeling; lock up the songs freedom
most meaniful and connected to the earth than songs with
words
sound made is carried on the breath deep within us
creators breath of life
singing recalls creators breath
herd by physical and spiritual world
meaning behind song becomes richer each time sung
Every cell in our body is a sound resonator and has the capacity to respond to any other sound outside
the body
High Sounds
Low Sounds
Highest reaches of Existence
(wanting to get to the highest places and reaches)
Ex)wanting to be a strong and young eagle
sound of the eagle creator
High sound (screaming)
Have many uses; Entertainment—Music
Healing—heal through the use of various ranges and patterns of sounds to shape
shift spirit of individual to heal the physical person
gifts & to call the spirit world by calling animals
Native cultures have kept alive the power to teach, heal and raise consciousness through
sounds, music and voice
sounds can be used in patterns (very important)
The grasp of the moment/ instance is often important and intrinsic part of native
music/ Sonics
It occupies the mind of the listener, and addresses itself to the body (can affect it)
Balance Occurs learn to produce and direct sacred sound
to have greater access to our true essence, greater health and can disrupt
negative aspects
Bringing Balance to the IndividualChanging the environment (replicating, honouring nature)
Giving Guidance—Enlightenment
Connecting to your inner wisdom and to the sacred/ unseen
world
Give identity
Songs Highly Prized Dream Songs; at night, during visioning, after long fast
 life Songs
 Death songs; if moving to the spirit world
-expressions of person confronting their death (chanting on last breath)
-if you can’t sing your own death song, someone will for you at your
funeral
It’s a Tradition, not a Religion Tool to unlock who you are, the potential within you
It is bigger than that—touches a root of everything; only a part of it
heart of everything—vibration of the universe
Sounds are linked between humanity and the divine
Singing, chanting and praying, people are connected to something bigger than the physical
world
In native cultures having a name is important—there is a sound quality and vibration to your name that
people like and mean something to them
Songs for Harmony of the Whole Grouphearing and feeling a part of it
men; usually lead songs, women; follow in harmony
In order to be a good singer, must learn 4 areas very well…
1) Mouth
2) Throat—channel
3) Lungs—breath to continue and use in the song
4) Heart/ Spirit—seat of the souls of the beat and seat of the song
Encouraged by Elders; to ‘sing for your love’ (what sounds and songs move you)
Pow wow songs almost been lost
songs can come through dreams and fasting
other songs are passed down orally (never changed)
songs can be composed by person with a spiritual gift for creating songs to give special
messages and honour a special person occasions
Round Dance—Modern/ Traditional
Women Traditional Dancersdance and bounce with the beat (shuffle)
4 honoured/ Sacred Beats (Drum Song) that the leader singer/ drummer does between everyone
else’s drumming
Steady Rhythm (can be more than 4 beats)
where the song is rising up to the creator
 used to communicate to the other drummers and dancers to
stop—indicate how long the song will go
louder and harder drums/ beats to tell the end is coming
Heartbeat= beating of the drum
very sacred and often in ceremonies
 You are becoming that sound, that sound is you
Drums an important tool for meditation
central and symbolically the heartbeat of mother earth
Everything is alive and connected there is a vibration from the earth which is a
living thing
whatever we do to the earth, it will come back to us
Shamanic Drumming faster and steady beat
4 healing Instruments
Considered the oldest form of healingSounds Shapeshift the individual (sound is important)
Songs have powerful energy= Vibrational Medicines
the unknown ethnic and spiritual dimensions are in the realm of increased vibrations
tradition from 1000 years ago to now
 Small hand drums: can heal people with sound
Medicine songs by own Shaman
Drums
Silence
Bells (gang, click stick—two hardwood sticks
being hit together)
Rattlers
Shamans Masters of Songs/ Sonics, Drums, Meditations, Dreams
 Ability to use Sounds and Sonics to create change in oneself
ones; Authentic self
-Inner Teacher
-Inner Knowledge, wisdom, and truth
 use words, sounds, stories, poems, and songs to bridge different worlds of life and the
different modes of consciousness
all words/ sounds are essentially magical, mystical and sacred if made so (if not, lay
dormant or grow in a peculiar way)
Meditation
To Meditate; to mentally consider, contemplate, deliberate, absorb, vision, and reflect on profound
cosmic abstraction (in Ojibway)
’doing wisdom’
Shamans & Elders well trained in the sacred tool; meditation—inner journey to higher realms of
consciousness
Meditation cross-cultural & full of paradox—appears in most cultures of the world
contradictive or opposed to common sense, yet true or perhaps true
it is neither an escape or means of achieving ecstasy
liberation one seeks on the path of meditation is the liberation from confusion
science has proven/shown various aspects of meditation and how useful they are
Cognitive Behaviour Theory= Meditation (do something to stop anxiety)
it is a disciplined practice of finding vision and acknowledgment of who we are
basic mediation focuses on breath or mantra (repeated word sound or phrases)
MeditationNative peoples responses to mythologies and methods within them (integral part of
existence)
Way of reflecting on ones life—accessing inner resources
about letting go in order to focus—focusing in order to let go
To engage in Contemplation— view with continued attention (deep continued thought)
Or focus on a word or object
Way of Developing Vision—what you do with your dream or what comes to you
during mediation
The Medicine Wheel is a Key tool to contemplate life, develop understanding
philosophize, provide insight
Way of Self-Actualizing (knowing the self)
It is the Balance of spiritual inner self and physical self (also in dreams)
The vehicle for journeys into the higher realms of consciousness—type of conscious mental
process (known my Shaman/ Elders)
Settles the mind—puts you in the now of your consciousness
bringing an end to (scattered thoughts) forwards or backward projection and
unconscious reality
you can now choose a priority of attention, reaction is stilled, the mind can
observe the passing of thoughts, feelings, and impulses
Is a sacred tool of knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment by Shaman/ Wisdom
Ones/ Elders
Sanskrit word ‘Medha’; ‘doing the wisdom’
It can take on Different forms & various levels of consciousness;
Walking, sitting, lying down, standing, & dreaming
involved in it, is not to be unconsciousness—access a different form of consciousness
takes 14 days for an art to become a habit
habit of clam, strengthens attention span & depth of conception
usually involves—quiet environment, objects to focus on (sounds & words)
designed to open attitude
getting rid of noise—Empty pale (pale diagram)
Feelings & thoughts
Experiences/ serves from everyday
Anxiety, worry, work life
Past, present & future thought
1) Pale spills over—can’t manage life
Overflow stage (most are in)
Ordinary experience
Meditation wants us to move away from it
2) Move away form all those worries to focus on the now
-clarity; Meditation helps bring it (not confusion)
-more clear, calm and focused—bringing the noise & traffic in head down
3) Being present focused (good and healthy)
-Complete openness and emptiness (holy—major focus)
-fills up again with ideas of enlightenment, intelligence and knowledge (work on it)
-receive things from another part of you—your inner teacher
4) Gifts that can be received
-have to go through states (often resistant)
-moving in and out of mediation
Meditation—Tools/ Techniques to Contemplate the world
Various waysrituals, rites, stillness, ceremonies, meditations, and chants/ Sonics
Meditation can be valuable because it influences attention and perspective
especially when experience of reality and point of view (perspective) is governed by priority of
attention (conscious and unconscious)
Mediation and Nature are tied together
nature guides people; answers or questions, and heals people if listened and
watches for signs
meditation is the intermediator between the nature and supernatural world
Mediation and Enlightenment, used in combination with other processes—fasting or in ceremonies
involving puberty or purification
 Enlightenment is the great mystery—you are that great mystery (don’t have to search for it,
just look within)
Vision Quest go out and usually fast by yourself to reflect and find meaning of life (Mediating)
Tradition, Rituals and rights of puberty
waiting for transforming vision/ encounter with nature
Puberty rights; rituals, ceremonies, processes and spiritualties
Walking Meditation 10,000 years old—it’s global (seeing others value it; affirms what your doing)
easier forms of meditation (allows you to do two things at once)
Labyrinth Universal path, with no dead ends (single line/ path) that are walking meditation
Cross-cultural tool—assist people as a means of ameliorating (enhancing) physical and metaphysical realms
not a puzzle and mazes (multiple paths with dead ends) for entertainment
offers the possibility of deep mediation, insight and reflection
A pattern walk—Calming yourself
ex) talking on the phone you walk in some form of pattern
strong connecting to the natural world and promotes peace and refection
Further Meditative tool of knowledge, wisdom and inner- enlightenment
the center is the center of creation; it is peaceful
metaphors; eye of storm—calm/ still and all around is cause
metaphor for life itself—have many different paths to take in life, not all the same,
neither is wrong; just different ways to get to same end goal
Elements of the natural world mesh with the other worldly
The Medicine Wheel can be used as it—opportunity to work with the four directions
physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
We are hardwired to look for things in patterns and experience patterns
faces; most common hardwired pattern we notice
4 types of Meditation
Standing
Sitting
Down
types of
Meditation
Walking
Meditati
on
Looking within self—finding balance between the physical & spiritual
world
Access Knowledge— Gateway to inner selves
EastWalking Meditation (pow wow when just walking—enter another
state of consciousness)
SouthLying Down—common when ill
WestSitting Down
NorthStanding—taking a stand
Lying
Down
Shamans
Every culture (universal) has generated it’s own folklore (mythology—sacred truth) around encounters
between: Human beings (the ordinary) and spirits, gods, deities, angels, ghosts (the non-ordinary)
sometimes all that is metaphysical (philosophical) gets described as spirits/ spiritual
Spirits Transpersonal forces that we experience as moving in, around and through us, but are not
entirely moved by us
Metaphysical –represent forces of transformation/ change
Medicine Men & Women Shaman Elders= All Interrelated
They are people of power
all active, and still helping the community
western cultures are slowly coming to term with them and respecting them
on referring ill natives to them
use physical medicines along with wanting to know about you (talk to you)
they are Doctors, Psychiatrists, Healers, use of Herbs
work with your spirit on your own medical health
Medicine men/ women have great value, but may not be Shaman
if they are not involved in accessing other realms
shamans are masters of a wide pallet (paint) of all things to become whole
human being
all is alive, all is sacred, and all is connected
there sometimes flexibility to the names (completely different v.s interrelate)
wisdom ones= Shamans/ Elders
Shamans Shamanism is not a religion—it’s a method
keepers of stories, legends, values, mythologies, and history –they practice cultural continuity
tradition to help shed light on Knowledge, truth and enlightenment
Open men or women—across native cultures and still exist to this day
they are bridges (bring people together, passers of knowledge), doctors & teachers
attempting to understand the layers and wisdom of the world to the fullest possible extent
to develop meaniful, practical relationships with this powerful spirit
Crazy Wisdom; combines the extraordinary with the calmness of conformity
being wise while not holding onto practical doctrines (disciplines)
***Masters of experience, layers/ states of consciousness, Songs/ Sonics, Drums,
Meditations, Medicines, Healing, Knowledge, Humans, Ceremonies, Teachings, and Dreams**
masters at understanding the inter-connections of the vibrancies of all things
aware of inner and outer environments
use meditation and dream interpretation for healing and spiritual guidance
***Philosophers of native culture—recognizing interplay of universe (Wisdom Ones)***
Is what you do with your knowledge in a right way
where big ideas and views of the world come from
**’Inner Heat’—very Self-Actualized** (know self-identity—who they are)
and a strong sense of responsibility and attachment in life; concerning their
personalities-abilities and their community and culture (other than self)
heart of Shamanism is the power of the world
Ability to use Sounds and Sonics (drums and dancing) to create change in
oneself
 connected to sound waves and people (Inner energy we all carry)
Shamans have Talent and Tools counselling, Sonics, take on patients illness-wants to be a part of the
patients, herbs and plants
Some Shaman enter altered sates quite easily, freely using;*** Mediation
Drumming/ Gonging
Channing/ Sonics
Dancing…***
Shaman and elders utilize Symboles used to understand natvie philosophy
to communicate, understand, organize or bring order to experiences
How Shamans and other people Access the Full Range of Experiences/ Realms in
order to Develop Knowledge, Truth and Wisdom?
***Native Philosophers (Shamans) are all about utilizing the whole-system approach to the acquiring
knowledge, wisdom, and truth
they hold the sacred truth, the mythologies, the Knowledge and wisdom of their people
utilizing both physical and Metaphysical (Spiritual) realms *** (how start shaman question)
Shamans have developed strong personal resources for perfecting, utilizing both
realms (they study them throughout their lives to help community and self)
Different Tools Sonics/ Drums
Rituals
Ceremonies
Fasting
Meditation
Wisdom Teaching (4 directions, talking circle)
Prayer—repetition
Innovation
Attaining altered states of consciousness or holographic states
whole, well-rounded, states of consciousness
Altered States of Consciousness
They Categorize our experiences –Mind/ layers of consciousness (especially dream world)
Upper (sky); vison/ idea of the future—super conscious
(Shamans are known to be able to project themselves into the future)
Middle (earth); present—Ordinary conscious
Lower World (underworld); past—Subconscious and unconscious
3 realms; Shamanic work—a central opening (pathway down the middle) to other realms
Shaman travels through each realm and it is it’s mediator
they enter these journey’s into other realms of consciousness in full control
they trained, conditioned themselves to be in control of themselves
We have two spirits—Shamans understand and utilize it
prophesize from the experience of their spirit going into the future
Shaman utilize them to constantly communicate with and influence the forces of nature and the
universe for the benefit of society also users of ordinary states
to do so, Shaman practices the accumulation of inner power(self-actualizing)
ex) the more you know about yourself, the better you can help someone else
Use the Ordinary State to understand human beings (practical techniques)
ex)looking at you to see what is wrong
Bad Medicine
Person who uses shamanism in a bad way—recognized by all shamanic traditions
Law of bad medicine or ‘reciprocity’ (give and take) do bad expect to get even more sever bad (x10)
The realms/ levels of consciousness are not always pleasant –can be threatening to shaman
Symbolism of the Tree of Life—Metaphor connected to the Unseen World
native peoples Teachings—sacred tree teachings
1) Guardian Spirit
2) Shaman
3) Initiatory Visions
4) Lower World
5) Other healing Spirits
6)Healing Divination (prophecy)
7) Sometimes Deceased Ancestors
Intensive Temperature Conditions
Can Induce Massive Systemic Effectsimmune system forced into action
Sterilization procedure; kills bacteria, fungus & other organisms
best places for a baby
Detoxification/ Purification of the body
Cleaning of the mind/ Altered states of consciousness
Sweat lodgeextremely hot with (meant for you to sweat)
 utilized in ceremonies for healing or understanding the self better
effects the whole body (total person affected)
what occurs in there; useful in cleaning (physical and mental body)
Sterilization—kills bacteria, puts immune system in action
It must work (pragmatic, practical), or it would have died thousands of years ago
Tries to harness all that is available
Explores the energies of the cosmos, not bound by obgma (established opinion,
authorities)
See it’s relevance for native thought and action
It is an esteemed place for this kind of thinking (Sacred Tree can be a symbol of it as well)
it is associated with the ‘I’, but also is beyond it; the ‘not-I’
Information form the self, but also other than self (mind)
Elders and Storytelling
Don’t want to keep stories inside them—tell stories about self, releases you
spirit within is the basis of any story
tell stories; shows respect for there surrounding
listen carefully of stories from elders—way to learn about themselves (all things have a spirit)
Ojibway elderwomen are the center of everything –heart of nation
they are the foundation on which nations are built on
women are strong= nation/ people no their purpose
Dreams
Wisdom ones, Shamans, Medicine men & women, Elders & Teachers
 are spirit guides and give guidance to other about dreams
they interact with the individual (experiences dreams) who is interacting with the spirit
guides (making a circle)
utilize sacred tools in their medicine bag = dreams (inner teacher—intelligence and wisdom)
they are consciously ‘aware’ guiding into dreams to access inner teacher (dreams)
the most important teacher are considered to come from spirit guides (particularly
your own)
many native leaders utilize ‘advices’ from dreams
 interpreters of the dream world—dream work
sometimes through dreams, people are called to Shamans
Masters of various realms (inclu. Dream world)
native people will commonly go to these people to assist them in interpreting their dreams
Shaman from Central America Sit behind carved wooden figures (human like or objects)
things that can be seen in his dreams
feels required to carve them—important to them
Similar to Guardians—protect him while travelling through
realms
Dreams we are the dreams of the creator
we dream, whether we are aware or not—brain is most active during REM sleep
eyes are tracking your dreams, but rest of you is paralyzed
some people can wake up from dreaming and still be paralyzed
we dream 3-5 times a night—longer you sleep, the longer you dream
They unlock our imagination, anything becomes possible in them (time is fluid)
Another source, sacred tool and path to find Knowledge, enlightenment and truth
Extra sensory perception—feeling something beyond the ordinary
Like the Medicine Wheel—start in the middle (now—what are we experiencing)
Is the place where we dream, plan, create, and talk to the grandfathers and grandmothers
talking to your ancestors
 not necessary times or places or even individually bound
Dreams are very important in Native Culture—Reflects ones true purpose
common to share dream occurrences with family and community
Dreaming is the most common form of altered state (we all do it)—universal
believed to all have some sort of authority in life and spiritual matters
women often have dreams where they represent their pregnancy
Sweat lodges, Rituals, and Vision Quests= Encourage Dreams
Many native nations feel ‘spirits’ come to you during dreamsidea of the unseen world
Believed it was the ultimate proof of truth and supreme guide to action
it is spirit connecting to other spirits (physical becoming connecting to metaphysical)
seen as important doorway to the consciousness of the spirit world of something personal
and something beyond the individual (other)
something’s that come to your dreams are personal (individualistic)
true meaning (interpretation)behind the symbols of your dreams only you
know—based on content in your life and culture
Some are Culturally Originated (eagle)
Or Universal –universal shapes that appear in dreams
The Philosophy of the Circle; unified wholeness
The Cross; bringing things together
The Triangle
The Swirl; transformation and change—circle to another point
Different Layers (Realms) of Consciousness
Can access to learn more and gather knowledge, wisdom and truth (dreams opens and gives)
Middle—’Here and Now’; Present
Upper—higher realms; Future
Lower—Past
Dream World (native cultures have high regard for it)—prime source of creativity
when dreaming your not dead but not in the ‘here and now’
often about your life—creates ideas from them and they help you solve problems in your life
Your dreams ameliorate (enhance/ improve) conditions, problems and ideas in your life
by taking bits and pieces of it, putting them together to look whole
process information, get new ideas and help to better understand our lives
Dream Flag Wrap person who is ill in it
can have a dream symbol/ spirit on it and be flown over their homes
Big Medicine 3 or more occurrences of the same situation/ symbol in the dream world
it holds power and importance to your life
Artists can be inspired by Dream World
The Twisted Reality Painting (fearful women of being unbalanced, paint landscape impossible to
navigate)
The Pregnancy Dream Painting(pregnant women dream of fetuses development
Ordinary State and Dream State—Not the Same Thing
Ordinary State Doesn’t always provide reliable information—tinted by many things
our senses are not always reliable (can fool us)
Dream State Severance (division) from the former everyday life
things that can not and do not occur in real life can be experienced here
chance to open up—no longer bound by ordinary state
vulnerable in it—express anything with no real consequences (don’t hide true self)
expression of true self in the dream world can make it easier for us to control
emotions and selves in ordinary state
key to dream state is learning to interpret symbols
Vision—what you do with the dream and how incorporate it into your experiences
Types of Dreams
There are different qualities and types of dreams—not all going to be valuable and profound over life
some can have low quality, vague or inaccurate
’Pizza Dream’; ate/ overate before bed, really hungry, or over tiered
Guided Dreamhave someone guide you through a dream by narrating—you imagine it
awakeful dream, but still able to access that dream consciousness
can utilize Sonics
Day Dream Physically awake and present in the ‘here and now’
But your mind wonders off in the dream consciousness thinking about other things
that are not occurring right now
Night dreams third of your life is in this state
NightmaresDreams about death or destruction
rare for them to truly mean death—more about the end of something
ex) end of relationship or situation
Lucid Dream seeing something clear and directing them—being aware that you are aware
not just an observer of your dream—not passive
you are actually involved in your dream—Proactive and make decisions
able to control things in your dream
most common when you are still awake, just trying to fall asleep and when you
are asleep but half asleep (getting up in the morning)
still dreaming but more awake and part of the real world
You’re in the in-between
Dreams during Vision Quests tool and technique common with Fasting (restricting your use of
something) –Fasting Dreams
ex)withstanding from food for 2-4 days
Thunderbird
Bird type Creature of the mythological realm with lightning shooting out of it’s eyes
Cultural Symbol that represent change—especially in humans
not just a symbol, it is attached to other things—elements of the world (fire, earth, air,
water), the powers of the universe
Common occurrences in Ojibway people’s dreams (they know what it is, incs wouldn’t know)
 The people identify the powers of the universe and change with this mythological being
(changing of the seasons)
It lives high in the mountains, not often seen, comes about in times when there are extremes in the
environment
When cold winds meet warm winds—creating great energy
Common in the spring, as the temperature rises and falls; he will claps his wings
Dream Work
Symbols
Some dream symbols are universal, cultural or only yours
Carl Jung grandfather of modern psychology—studying symbols and cultures
Symbols integrated externally set up an inner experience that contributes to personal
knowledge, understanding, harmony and balance
symbols are linked with deep structures of the human psych
develop own dictionary/ cyclopedia on dreams
various kinds of symbols that come up in your dreams
know it—recognize it and meaning behind it
Polymorphicoften the mythological creatures or symbols in dreams
they have more than one shape (several animals mixed to create one)
People and AnimalsMajor Images and symbols (metaphors) that are connected to the environment,
culture and you
A person might come to you in your dream that can be a combination of
people you know
strong factor in dreams
Home/ House Stability and comfort (most often associated with you)
Steps for Dream Work
Sacred Dream Incubation after rituals of purification; fasting
dreamers instructed to sleep in temples or other sacred settings under
direction of holy people
spiritual world cause dreamers or incubants to have dreams that would solve
or lead to the resolution of physical/ mental illness
dreams might guide dreamers to make important decisions
if failed—look to shaman for interpretation
Ojibway; set self apart from tribe and build a ritual nest—fasting
until received from great spirits a dream indicating role and function
Dream or Vision Templesto tap into a special dream, remove self from everyday life
usually Fast and remain in cave/ temple to connect and
interpret the dream world
Understand the vision and symbolic meaning of your dream
1) Dream Journal; Put pen and paper beside bed
2) Day Notes; Review your day (feelings and activities)
3) Dream Title; date and how you feel when awaken
4) Dream Notes; Little movement when awake to record dream with key details
- Who are the people in your dream?
-What are the objects in your dream and what do they represent?
-What is the setting?
-What are your actions?
-Who came in your dream?
- What is going on in your life that may be connected to them?
5) Dream Commentary ; What is your feelings during and after?
-what surprised you and was interesting?
-was there a recurring theme, have you dreamt it before?
6) Dream Glossary/ Dictionary; terms and list of objects that come in dreams
what they might represent/ mean to you
recurrences (notice importance)
eventually symbols will become recognizable—assist in interpreting
dreams (only you know true meaning)
trust inner guidance
Recognize that every part of the dream is an aspect of self
form of recognition; allow to view self and world form a different point of view and gain
deeper understanding of your dream
What can you understand?
How can it be utilized in everyday life, or further understand dream world?
If don’t dream—write why you think you didn’t dream
Directing Dreams
There are various forms of dream usage
White noise prepare self to dream before sleep
ask self to dream and remember (purify space- pray; ask to remember)
make room comfortable
Possible to direct your dreams by conscious intent
Could petition (appeal/ request) your dream state
ask the creator or yourself to grasp the your dreams
set self with a question before you go to sleep (awake with answers)
Get better sleep Drink water before bed
Don’t eat right before
Don’t be over tired or forcing self to sleep
1) Clear mind
2) avoid excitement
3) tell yourself (you will relax mind and body)
4) make bedroom pleasant
5) follow natural sleep pattern
6) progressively relax body
7) no insomnia drugs, nicotine or alcohol (suppress REM sleep—dream episodes)
8) hot milk and honey
9) repeat soothing formula
10) don’t worry about amount of sleep