Dream-Studies

Holistic Dream Studies in Academia
Published in Dream Network, 2003 ©, Vol. 22, #1.

A hundred years from now our future 'ancestors' will look back to appraise, hopefully with compassion, what we have contributed to the evolution of human consciousness. By then, dreams will be such an integral aspect of life that this time in the history of the dream movement will be seen as the crucial step in the development of a global dream awareness. Every new discovery made in the field of dream education and research is a stepping stone creating a path which opens to the vast dimensions and potential of our dreaming mind which leads to the advancement of our human consciousness.

The field of Dream Studies evolved slowly in the past quarter of the century mainly through several pioneering organizations such the International Association for the Study of Dreams and Lucidity

Association and through numerous publications in particular the journal Dreaming. Internationally many interested professors taught the topic of dreams within the field of psychology, anthropology or art. In rare situations, faculty members are able to have an entire independent course on dreams. As the field of sleep science moved rapidly in the past thirty years so as the field of dream studies and more universities are becoming open to offer courses on study of dreams in their curriculum.

Twenty years ago, when I began entertaining the idea of developing a dream studies program at

a university level, the concept was far fetched but the vision slowly materialized by support, perseverance and passion for the topic. From teaching one graduate course on Theory and Practice of Dreams to developing twelve courses and hiring many faculty members to join me for a creation of an interdisciplinary program on dream studies was not an easy task. Yet among one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. We now have a beautiful community of graduates from the program using their knowledge in the most innovative ways in their work, family life and community.

The following excerpt is a story behind developing the Dream Studies program at JFK University. I hope this personal odyssey is an inspiration for those teachers who always wanted to offer courses in this topic and those who dreamed of creating a program in their own colleges and universities.

Fariba Bogzaran, 2009