The Dimensions of Dreams

Unusually comprehensive in its scope and depth, this compendium of dream theory and interpretation backs up Danish psychotherapist Vedfelt's basic premise: any dream contains multiple layers of meaning that can be tapped if the dream is analyzed from a number of different angles. A Jungian by training, Vedfelt has no ax to grind: he's equally at home using Freudian insights or a Jungian framework. He also identifies a third approach that views dreams as attempts to solve problems of daily living--and conveniently lumps into this category the theories of Erich Fromm, Alfred Adler and Montague Ullman. Recent studies of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which suggest that dreaming helps control stress and anxiety, lend support to this pragmatic approach. Vedfelt also discusses less familiar methods and theoreticians: Swiss existentialist psychiatrist Medard Boss's emphasis on letting the dreamer relive the dream phenomena; Gestalt therapy pioneer Fritz Perls's use of dreams to help patients pierce through neurotic personality layers; and those who view dreams as signifiers of body conditions or illness and advocate bodywork therapies like Rolfing (depth massage). Summaries of attitudes toward dreaming in different cultures are concise and illuminating. This is an indispensable resource for psychotherapists and researchers that will also stimulate laypersons who are serious about remembering and analyzing their dreams. (Jan.)