Connecting Dreamer Dots

Remember only this one thing,” said Badger.
“The stories people tell have a way of taking care
of them. If stories come to you, care for them.
And learn to give them away when they are
needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more
than food to stay alive. That is why we put these
stories in each other’s memory. This is how
people care for themselves.”
—Barry Lopez, Crow and Weasel

Well, 25 days into 2010 and I continue to process and ponder life learnings that transpired in the events of 2009... is that wrong? ;-)

I focused a lot on dreaming last year. And I've learned fascinating, mind-blowing things about how to remember and interact with the dreams themselves. I've seen first-hand how dreams respond to intentions, answer questions, provide clues to divine mystery, to personal creativity and collective consciousness, not to mention deep healing of the soul. And, yes, I'm longing to share about ALL of that, but perhaps the most miraculous morsel of my dreaming-quest is the PEOPLE, connections and relationships that have emerged because I tapped in.

First, I connected with dream-friends online. These weren't people I knew and then we formed a group to share our dreams; no, this was a group of individual dreamers from all over the globe, longing to learn from dreams. So, unlike the majority of our culture where we know people and have no clue what they dream, in this online group, I knew their screenname and dream-themes, but if I passed them on the street, I wouldn't even know it.  The online anonymity combined with dream-sharing makes for a special brand of intimacy. * (A new online Conscious Dreaming, Conscious Living forum begins today, Mon. Jan 25. It's moderated by author and dream ambassador extraordinaire, Robert Moss, and hosted by Spirituality & Health magazine. Learn more and register for the 8-week course here.)I was having intense insights and breakthroughs, which led me to a live workshop (in Mystic, no less) to meet the teacher, Robert Moss, and other students, face to face. While there, we schemed to bring Robert and his workshop, "The Healing Power of Story" to Cincinnati in June. I devoted myself to finding folks to spend the early days of summer learning with him. Filling a workshop on Dreaming and Storytelling in our conservative city during the pathetic economy was a challenge, to say the least. It truly seemed as though each participant who found their way was *meant* to be here.

First to register was Susan, a local psychologist & teacher, shamanic coach, and profound dreamer - a brilliant and accomplished woman with intense life experiences & stories as well as loads of numinous energy. She had read one of Robert Moss' books and initiated contact with me via his website. As a coordinator, it was such a relief to have a name on the list and a check in hand! As a student of life, I was jazzed to have this opportunity to spend a weekend with someone as well-traveled, educated, spiritual and articulate as Susan. Now to find others ...

My sister-in-law, Diane, signed on - I didn't have to guile or guilt her into it or anything! I doubt she'd have taken this workshop if we weren't related, but in a way, it was a blessing to give her the familial excuse to do something her practical side may have dismissed. We adore one another, but are both so busy, we rarely spend chunks of time together outside family events. And here we'd have an entire weekend! ;-)

Now there was a dreampal on the forum who clearly traveled the globe. Her dreams, always colorful and enticing, intrigued me; her waking life made reference to exotic locales and worldly adventures. We had an online chat regarding a dream and inadvertently discovered that she was originally from Ohio. As we clarified further, we were astounded to find that we had grown up in the same community and graduated from the same high school!! She was pumped to learn that Robert Moss would be in her hometown, and, since it was her mother who 1st encouraged her to heed dreams and since  her mother still lives in town, she wrote out a check and gifted her mother the workshop for Mother's Day.

Her mother's name is Mary Faith. Her daughter and I (via brief email exchanges) realize that Mary Faith also graduated from our alma mater, Greenhills-- in the 70's. Hmmm..... well, that's when my husband's older siblings graduated - maybe she knows the Kissels, the Burkets, the Brookbanks?

My query is relayed to Mary Faith and the 1st email I receive from her says that she is eager for the workshop - oh, and she seems to recall a dark-haired girl with a big, friendly smile and laugh -  thinks her name was Diane Kissel?!? She's pretty sure they were in the same class, all through school.

Ummmm..... yeah, that's my sister-in-law! The one who just registered to do this workshop, too. So, tapping into the dreams of a wild young adventuress online leads to reuniting two school-pals-now-grandmothers in one Ohio suburb. Cool. And registration is up to three (plus me).

Once again, upon the forum, I read a dreamer's dream .... In her dream, she traveled  a street - a street I know. What? Here in this online community of faceless people from all over the world, this dreamer is wandering Calhoun Street? - the one where my 1st real boyfriends' college dorm was at UC? The one that I took back home following every obstetrician appointment when I was pregnant? I know this street  -- and it ultimately paved the way to meeting Kathy.

Prior to the Calhoun connection, all I knew of Kathy was that she was a friend of Terron. Terron, I only knew via the dream forum. I knew he carved wooden spoons. I knew he wrote lovely stories. I knew he was kind-hearted and real. And I knew he lived on Cape Breton Island. Imagine my surprise to find that his friend, Kathy, lives near me! With encouragement from both Terron and myself, Kathy made her way to the workshop where she wrote and shared a beautiful memoir of her father.

And there are others (Carol Rose, Karen, Fanchon, Rob, Justin, Heidi & Andy, Nancy, Bonnie, Laura....), and of course, each have their own beautiful, inspiring stories, before, during and post-workshop. What I find remarkable is that not so long ago, I did not know any of the people I write of -- and today, each holds a sacred spot in my heart.

Comments

[Justin Patrick]

Thanks Robin! It really was an inspiring workshop and good to connect with all of you --whom I had never met before. The Web is strong. Laura knew my wife before I ever knew my wife. Mary Faith and I live in the same neighborhood, and she works at a spot my cousin likes to hang out at. "They" say in Cincinnati that there is only 2 degrees of separation. When you add dreams and synchronicity into the mix the 2 turns into a Zero... that's a good thing because it shows us how we are all intimately connected.

[Richard Jaeger]

It IS wondrous how small our world really is. Connecting the dots sounds very enriching for you, Robin. Keep up the adventure!