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The Dream Institute is a cultural and
educational center whose mission is to encourage
interest in dreaming as an ancient, evolved
resource, available to all, that informs and
inspires our
cultural and personal lives. |
Greetings from the Director
Twenty-twelve is finally here! Many prophecies associate it
with major transitions and endings. Our Culture Dreaming
series will provide a dreams-lens for observing this process
below the surface. If you have dreams that refer
specifically to this epochal time, send them in; we will
post these later in the season.
In reviewing my dream journal at
year’s end, I found a big dream that had come in answer to
an incubation I did about The Dream Institute’s mission,
which concerns something much larger in scope: “I am telling
people how this era is dominated by a god-image that is
male, but there have been cultures in which the god-image
was female.” I awakened puzzled that this somewhat dated
topic would appear in response to my query about The Dream
Institute’s purpose. The dream continued when I returned to
sleep: “I am looking for people who are familiar with this
topic.”
The dream seemed to be
emphasizing the importance of envisioning what daily life in
such a culture might be like. The way our programs came
together this season was perhaps an example: rather than
being planned in advance by conscious choice, they emerged
spontaneously via encounters or conversations I had with
people. Known in science as “emergent phenomena of
self-organizing systems,” this mode characterizes how ant
and termite colonies, for instance, organize teamwork.
I am reminded of a story I heard
when teaching in New Mexico. A rancher hired some local
Native Americans to build a rock wall. A starting date was
agreed upon. It came, but no one showed up. A week went by,
then another and another. When the Indians came about a
month later, the rancher asked why they hadn’t come at the
appointed time. They replied, “The stones weren’t ready.” As
January came and went, I felt our programs, so slow to
congeal, were like those stones.
Among our programs will be a
workshop led by our artist-in-residence, Cyndera Quackenbush,
that centers around her collection of billion-year-old
sedimentary stones whose cut faces have pictograms used to
elicit earth-inspired tales. Our Friday night film and
discussion series will feature selections nature that are
similarly evocative. All our programs are intended to elicit
soulful conversation among those attending. People have
commented that The Dream Institute is like a “dream-tank” or
container for holding questions of broad personal and
collective relevance. I hope that you find something you
will enjoy.
Meredith Sabini, PhD
Spring 2012
February
15 “Survival functions of REM dreaming,” M. Sabini, 7-9pm
22 Monthly dinner, 6-8pm
24 Art Opening, 5-7pm
March
4 Awakening the Animistic Imagination, Cyndera Quackenbush
10 Dreaming for The Great Turning, 10am-1pm
10 Auditions for Earth Day dream-play, 2-4pm
14 “Creative problem-solving,” M. Sabini, 7-9pm
21 Monthly dinner, 6-8pm
23 The King of Masks film, 7-9pm
25 In Conversation: Paul Giurlanda, 2-4pm
31 Sonic Mysticism, Jason Norris, 3-6pm
April
14 In Conversation: John Beebe, 2-4pm
18 “Health Benefits of Sleep,” M. Sabini, 7-9pm
20 Appointment with the Wise Old Dog film, 7-9pm
22 “The Earth Is Humming”: Earth Day event, 2-4pm
25 Monthly dinner, 6-8pm
—General
Information—
All programs are open to the public unless otherwise noted.
To register:
Leave your name and telephone number at our office or via e‑mail;
then send in a check to hold your place. For Film series,
Monthly Dinners, and Solstice, you may pay at the door after
leaving your name by phone or email. 20% discount for
students and low-income seniors. It is now possible to
register, but not pay, online for programs. Please send us
your e‑mail
address so we can notify you of special events or changes to
our calendar as they occur.
FOX COMMONS ART GALLERY
is housed in The Dream Institute building. We have art
shows in conjunction with events. Local artists are welcome
to submit slides or photos of their work for consideration.
SPACE FOR RENT
Our beautiful historic landmark, Fox Commons, is available
for meetings, ongoing classes, special events, or private
parties. It seats 15–35 and has supplies for modest food
and beverage service. Contact our office to discuss rental
fees and dates.
Library:
The Dream Institute has a comprehensive library of books on
dreams as well as articles from all aspects of dreams and
dreaming. The library is open to scholars for on-site use by
appointment only. Call a week ahead if you’d like to visit.
Dissertations:
The Director, Associate Director, and others affiliated with
The Dream Institute are available to assist graduate
students with Masters’ and Doctoral dissertation projects.
Referrals:
The Dream Institute is not a psychotherapy clinic but we do
offer Professional Dream Consultation as well as referrals
for therapy or analysis.
PROGRAM PROPOSALS:
If you have a suggestion for a presenter, or a proposal of a
program you’d like to offer, please send a one-page
description along with relevant bio to our office.
AFFILIATES:
Analytical Psychology Club, Hillside Club, University Press
Books, Depth Psychology Programs, Society for the Study of
Shamanism, ReVision Journal.
OUR NONPROFIT STATUS: The
Dream Institute has the fiscal sponsorship of Inquiring
Systems, Inc. (ISI), an umbrella organization founded by
Loren Cole, PhD, of Sonoma, which provides ethical,
sustainable, nonprofit coverage for small businesses
committed to the improvement of humankind. This fiscal
sponsorship allows The Dream Institute to accept
tax-deductible contributions. As a new paradigm organization
with a unique mission, we find it difficult to qualify for
grants. We rely on the generosity of individual contributors
and welcome your single or annual contribution of any size.
The
Dream Institute of Northern California
Phone:
510-845-1767
Address:
1672 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94703
Website:
www.dream-institute.org
E-mail:
dreaminstituteca@gmail.com
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