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A Model for Lucidity Training as a Means of Self-Healing and Psychological Growth

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Conscious Mind, Sleeping Brain

Abstract

The theoretical principles for the psychotherapeutic use of lucid dreaming are outlined in view of my own first lucid dream studies and experiences. These are based on the field theoretical assumptions of Gestalt psychology that the personality is capable of self-healing and growth. In this way, lucid dreams have proven to be helpful. I will point out that one can discern unconscious conflicts and contribute to solving them during these dreams through appropriate behavior of the dream ego. Conciliatory interaction with threatening dream figures seems to be important in diagnosis and therapy. For instance, the way in which the dream ego should react in order to deprive a threatening figure of its dangerous character will be examined. I will argue, in accordance with the theoretical assumptions that conciliatory interchange is the most effective principle.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychological Institute, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, West Germany

    Paul Tholey

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  1. Paul Tholey
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA

    Jayne Gackenbach

  2. Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA

    Stephen LaBerge

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© 1988 Plenum Press, New York

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Tholey, P. (1988). A Model for Lucidity Training as a Means of Self-Healing and Psychological Growth. In: Gackenbach, J., LaBerge, S. (eds) Conscious Mind, Sleeping Brain. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0423-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0423-5_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-0425-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-0423-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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