Guidelines and Conduct | Dream Sharing Group

What to Expect on your Call

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At the start of each group session a group facilitator will be nominated.
Ideal group sizes are 6-12 people. Breakouts into smaller groups will be accommodated if needed.
“Touch-in”. All participants will have a chance to discuss how they are doing before starting the process of sharing dreams.
After the group greets one another, each member proceeds to share one dream (if they want to).
From these the group chooses one dream they would like to discuss first. Participants are then able to offer comments, ask questions, or suggest meanings that are relevant to that one particular dream. This may take anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour, but it is best practice that participants discuss more than one dream per meeting!

The dreamer shares his or her dream.
Group reflection on the dream’s content. This includes feelings, images, and metaphors they believe are represented by the dream imagery. (During this second step, the dreamer does not comment on the group’s opinions.)
The dreamer responds, without further comment from the group.
Dialogue between the dreamer and the group takes place.
The dreamer is able to reflect, alone, on the meanings discussed by the group.

Instead of saying, “You’re dream means …” you are encouraged to begin your comments with, “If it were my dream…” This is a reminder that the dream ultimately belongs to the dreamer and prevents you from coming across as rude or confrontational.
Respect privacy and confidentiality. Refrain from repeating to others what another person shares.
Listen carefully. Allow the person to complete his or her sentence or thought. Be patient with another.
Shy away from commenting directly on what another says.
Withhold your advice. If you feel inclined to give advice, ask the person’s permission to talk about the situation or ask if he or she wants to receive advice.
Refrain from criticizing or judging what another person says.
Give others a chance to speak. Everyone who wants to share ought to have sufficient time to do so. Limit your own time. Speak pithily. Use brevity. Be conscious of others!
Respect another’s desire for privacy. No on has an obligation to share.
Use “I” statements rather than “we” statements. I can speak for myself. You can represent yourself.
When you feel yourself beginning to say, “You should….” or “What you need to do is…,” stop yourself.