Would you like to join a new online dreamwork group?
Nighttime dreams can offer solutions to daytime problems.
Hi there,
When I was living in the UK, I was part of a dreamwork group. We met every few months—just five to seven of us, men and women—gathered in a homely room, listening and sharing. One person would bring a dream, telling the story of what happened, or sometimes just describing how the dream-ego (the “me” in the dream) had felt throughout.
Once the dream was shared, the others would ask clarifying questions—not to interpret just yet, but to get a clearer picture. The dreamer would respond, adding context or details. Then came something fascinating: the dreamer would retell the dream from scratch. And often, that second version was subtly or even strikingly different from the first. The group’s questions had helped the dreamer see more clearly, and we all saw the dream anew.
“If this was my dream…”
After the retelling, each person would offer possible insights. But here’s what I especially loved: everyone would begin by saying, “If this was my dream…” That small phrase made all the difference.
No one claimed to know what the dream meant for the dreamer. Instead, each person spoke from their own perspective, exploring what those images, feelings, or events might mean if they themselves had dreamt it.
That approach kept things respectful, open, and safe. No egos. No unsolicited advice. Just gentle offerings. The dreamer would take what resonated, and leave what didn’t.
And more often than not, I found others’ reflections on my own dreams deeply insightful—sometimes even unexpectedly so.
Dreams don’t sleep
We don’t stop thinking or feeling when we sleep. In fact, our minds might be working things out—quietly, creatively—on our behalf. Sometimes the subconscious already knows what our waking minds haven’t yet grasped.
Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine, famously cracked the design problem after a dream about warriors with spears. The spears had holes at the tips—and that detail became the eureka moment: place the thread hole at the point of the needle, not the end, and voilà—the sewing machine worked.
Paul McCartney dreamt the melody of Yesterday. And countless other inventions, songs, and insights have emerged from dreams. If you're curious, you can find plenty more examples here.
Starting something new—online this time
The group I was part of in the UK met in person, and that was ideal. But here in Meath, it’s unlikely I’ll find five or six folks nearby who want to form a local dream group. So—next best thing: let’s try online.
Just to be clear—I’m not a therapist or dream analyst. I have no formal training in this area. And I don’t think that’s necessary. The dreamwork group in the UK was just a circle of ordinary people, respectfully exploring dreams together. That’s what I’d love to recreate.
If you’re interested in joining an online dreamwork group, just reply to this email (if you’re reading it via email), or send a message to glebebooks@gmail.com. Four or five people would be enough. Or feel free to leave a comment below if you’d like.
Happy days,
Joe
#dreamwork #dreamgroup #dreamanalysis #exploringdreams
Joe’s acclaimed first memoir In My Gut, I Don’t Believe is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, Hardback and Audible editions. His second memoir Saved by a Woman is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and Hardback editions.
