The Gestalt Approach to Dreams

The term "gestalt" in communications theory refers to: A whole that is perceived as such, and that is not reducible to the mere sum of its parts. Not closed, no frames or limits; it's an open system.

Considering the gestalt theory, Rick Bouchard, in his published article The Gestalt Approach to Dreams, 1996, talks about a simple, but fruitful, technique to working with a dream. As Bouchard explains, it takes little effort, and at the same time gives instant results to helping you interpret your dream. After examining Bouchard's example, do the following:

1) To begin, take a little bit from the whole dream.
2) Next, slowly re-read the dream aloud, at the same time inserting the words "part of me" after each noun.
3) Lastly, read the same dream aloud with the words ("part of me") you just inserted.

Bouchard's technique helps the dreamer to identify with all aspects of the dream, and the different parts of him or herself. You can begin to ask questions, helping what used to be just words actually become a part of the dream. As Bouchard puts it, "'Parts' refers to the 'part of me'."