Dreamtime Consulting

Sunlight filters through the branches of the tree which grows outside the window. Against one wall of the office is a desk cluttered with papers and files while against another wall is a shelf of books interspersed with odds an end, or a radio. Two chairs, both occupied by people unassuming in nature, one holds a note pad and occasionally writes something down. The conversation may go something like this,

"When did you first notice something was different?" "About three months ago. This is when I started having the dreams."
"The dreams about the wolf speaking to you."
"Yes. The dreams have continued since then, and sometimes I see and hear the wolf when I am not sleeping. The other day at work I clearly heard it."
"What does the voice tell you?"
"Many things. That I have special gifts which I must use, that I must seek out the source of wisdom."
"Do they ever tell you to hurt yourself, or someone else?"
"No."
"I see by your record there has been no history of substance use, has that changed since the dreams began?"
"No. I told you before I have never used drugs."
"You mentioned a episode with depression about a month before you saw me, and shortly after you started having the dreams. At that time, we discussed medication as an option. Is that still an option for you?"
"I don't know, I am still reluctant about it. I don't feel like anything is wrong, I just need to understand what is happening."

This conversation would continue along the line of educating the dreamer about the dynamics of psychosis, possibly explaining to them hallucinations and delusion can be so compelling and so real at times if often appears to the one afflicted everything is fine. There would most likely be a discussion about medications. Prior to the conversation there would be other events which would have occurred. The therapist would have gathered a history of the client, possibly done some testing etc.... All the things appropriate for the profession, and yet these interventions may be totally inappropriate.

There is a fine line between madness and reality, and unfortunately each realm can take on the characteristics of the other. Add to this the dimension of spirituality and you have a mixture of such a nature the lines become more of a philosophical nature, than a psychological one. We live in a society which constantly gives us conflicting messages. On the one hand, spiritual experience entailing visions, conversations with the gods, etc... are readily acceptable, providing they are in the framework of a religious organization or specific culture. Many spiritual and religious writings all confirm the existence of such experience. The flip side of the coin is that the profession of psychology has traditionally ascribed such events to be ones of psychosis.

One way to address this issue would be psychological counseling via the religious institution. This would seemingly be the way to bridge the gaps between psychology and religion, but it falls short of doing so. Religious counseling often adheres to the dogmatic principles of a specific tradition, allowing for a narrow range of acceptable spiritual experience. If it is not in the context of the institution, it becomes a matter of psychosis or demonic activity. Often times it is very clouded and will manifest itself in a variety of ways.

To relate this issue to present day current events, comes not in the field of psychology but in the field of literature. There has been increasing controversy, in some religious circles, surrounding the "Harry Potter Series". Accusations from some in the Christian community have stated these books are teaching children an immoral way of life. The people in the books cast spells, converse with animals and other such acts. However, these same Christian's accept such books as the "Chronicles of Narnia", which have a talking lion, several witches, the profuse use of magic and enchantment. In fact, the author of the Narnia books also wrote other books, one of which is conversations between two devils. In another book a character eats glass without being cut and speaks in a deeper, different voice. Where is the line which makes Harry Potter books unacceptable and the books of C.S. Lewis acceptable? It is a line of institutional makings. C.S. Lewis was a Christian author, Ms. Rowlings is not.

Despite the failing attempts of religious counseling to provide an experience for incorporating a persons spiritual side into their psychological life, this has provided the framework for a working model which is already in place. Wellness theory incorporates the spiritual dimensions of a person's life without labeling it as psychosis, and without forcing them into a specific religious framework.

It is interesting to note this model was developed within a psychological framework, which indicates the field of psychology is starting to re-examine what it defines as abnormal. We are a society fond of labels, and will not hesitate to apply those labels freely. What happens to the process when those labels are removed? It understandably falls apart. Here we find the common ground between psychology and religion(not spirituality). Both systems are afraid of operating outside of their framework. Each has a rigid way of defining human experience and anyone who challenges or offers a different view is unwelcome and seen as antagonistic. Here, however the common ground ends.

Psychology is slowly giving ground to the concept a persons spiritual life offers an experience which is valid in its own right, and at which time might have be mistakenly classified as delusion. Our ancestors had no such divisions of living and growing. It was understood all aspects of a person's life were tied deeply together and were to set in accord with the world around them. As the world changed, so would an individual's perceptions and experience.