Are you interested in dreams but do not know where to begin? Here is a list of excellent introductory books by yesterday and today’s pioneers working in the field of dreams. 'Must reads' for anyone interested in the rich, complex and always fascinating phenomena we call the dream.

An Introduction to the Psychology of Dreaming

• Kelly Bulkeley’s An Introduction to the Psychology of Dreaming The Bay Area’s resident scholar on dreams, Dr. Bulkeley has written a smart, succinct and accessible introduction to the psychology of dreaming. Those who wish to study dreams in any capacity would find this book an indispensable resource. An Introduction to Psychology of Dreaming is enlightening in terms of how we look at a dream through different perspectives and theories. Bulkeley also addresses the richness and complexities of working with dreams (especially the “big dream) with others for personal practice as well as for therapists working with clients on a transformational level.

• Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers' The Power of Myth  Like Carl Jung with psychology and the unconscious, Joseph Campbell has an almost superhuman wealth of knowledge on the study of myth and comparative religion. This transcript based on the two year exchange between Campbell and journalist Bill Moyers is a fascinating journey into the world of our ancestors and ultimately the story of who we are. This six part series focuses on the human experience from the Hero’s Journey to Tales of Love and Marriage to the Gift of the Goddess and how these themes affect us in the “Post Modern Age.” For those interested in dream and consciousness studies, it is undeniably vital to study World Mythology and its symbols as the language of the collective unconscious. This collection creates that bridge from the waking life and dream world and back again: A must read for those on a Journey to the Self.

• Robert A. Johnson's Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche Dr. Johnson’s surprisingly slender book on Carl Jung’s Shadow archetype figure should not fool you into thinking this is an easy and quick read. Though very accessible it is truly complex and rich in its simplicity and will be a book to revisit many times in order to truly digest and process the material. It is a powerful guide in its ingenious model of thinking and viewing the shadow parts and how we project that shadow onto others. What is remarkable is Johnson’ elegant and accessible way of describing the state called the “tension of opposites” and how we must “cook” in that state for a while in order to find ‘the third true thing’ or new way of approaching ourselves and our relationships. This book is also recommended for those interested in alchemy as a psychological tool, especially in terms of finding the “gold” in the Shadow.

Memories, Dreams and Reflections

• Carl G. Jung’s Memories, Dreams and Reflections One of the most influential figures in the world of psychiatry and the study of dreams is Dr. Carl Gustav Jung. This autobiography powerfully and affectively captures the trajectory of this prolific genius’ life from early youth to his elder years accenting the challenges and enormous contributions that changed not only this field but humanity as a whole. For those who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Jung, this is a perfect introduction to his life’s work done in a candid, playful and accessible way. A must read.

• Stanley Krippner, Fariba Bogzaran and Andre Percia de Carvalho’sExtraordinary Dreams and How to Work with Them We have three veterans in Drs. Krippner, Bogzaran and Carvalho collaborating their years of practicum and wisdom in the field of dreams. This book focuses on the “big dream” in all its variations defined as a dream of potent energy, high intensity and extraordinary power that “strikes a chord” in the dreamer that continues to resonate throughout his or her life. The most intriguing aspect of the book are the specific case studies in the form of the dream itself and its affect on the dreamer. In each study there was some type of change or transformation in the dreamer after having the “big dream” whether it be finding a true life calling or solving a problem at the office. 

• Justina Lasley’s Honoring the Dream: A Handbook for Dream Group Leaders. Director of the Institute for Dream Studies and veteran dream consultant, Justina Lasley brilliantly weaves her magic in one impeccably organized book for those interested in facilitating dreams in a group setting. This book is indispensable; chock full of handouts, techniques, advice and exercises on the process and practical application for dream group leaders. Lasley also has created a dream journal entitled In My Dream…(A Dream Journal) which is skillfully formatted to record dreams in a mindful way including helpful hints, sketch pages and index for cataloguing dreams. Important books for your dreaming tool kit.

Extraordinary Dreams and How to Work with Them

• Jeremy Taylor’s Where People Fly and Water Runs Uphill Reverend Taylor is a master of dream work and this book demonstrates his incredible talent for working with others on their dreams in a personal, communal and global way. His personal anecdotes on his struggles to serve others to finally finding a powerful tool and link with the dream, is truly inspiring. An epic moment in the book were his visits in a high security ward, engaging and connecting with the state's most “difficult” criminals by using the dream as a tool. Taylor speaks to those who wish to live authentically and, as Joseph Campbell says, “to follow your bliss” by validating the importance of working with dreams as an inner resource. Witnessing his work in action and watching the incredible transformations with each person he touches gives the reader courage to follow their own dreams and to be the change they want to see in the world. 

• Robert Van de Castle’s Our Dreaming Mind Dr. Van de Castle is one the leading experts in dream study for over thirty years and has explored the subject of dreams over the centuries in this impeccably researched book. He examines fellow dream theorists and what they believe dreaming means to both the individual personally and humankind as a whole. He notes such “fathers of psychiatry” as Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, as well as contemporary figures like Fritz Perls and Montague Ullman that have taken dream therapy a few steps further. He touches upon the challengers of dreams from the past as well, like religious leaders, St. Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther. Van de Castle illustrates how the temper of the times such as religion, politics and even more importantly its thinkers can influence the way society views the dream as something sacred or to be suppressed.