This is not a whimsical book but a serious, factually-backed effort by Barth, a psychoanalyst, to explore daydreaming, both what it is and its puposes. There are gems of practical information throughout. For example, I was surprised to find that studies have shown that one can reduce depression by paying attention to pleasant daydreams. In addition, there is a great deal of intuitive information which goes well with the factual backup. Intuitive knowledge can only form personal beliefs until one is shown facts backing it up. This book backed up many of my beliefs and thus made them true knowledge.

The subject matter is not all trips to Tahiti, goodness and light though. Barth covers the “bad” daydreams as well, day-to-day trauma and post traumatic stress. Daydreams are very similar to night dreams and Barth discusses them as one would expect a psychoanalyst to do. According to her, “We weave our daydreams to cope with feelings and experiences that might otherwise overwhelm us, so taking them apart is bound to stir up some anxiety.”

The bulk of the book is how to “interpret” daydreams and use them for one’s personal growth. There are two parts to the book, Part One more technical and informative and Part Two more how to apply the information to one’s self. There is a goodly amount of psychological discussion about symbol analysis and association and this might turn some readers off. This was, for me, an interesting read but even with Part Two’s more practical titles (“Out of the Clear Blue Sky: Using Your Daydreams at Work; Happily Ever After: Daydreams of Love and Romance”) it isn’t really a self-help book or as “casual” and upbeat as I might have wished.

I think people who enjoy speculating about their night dreams will enjoy reading this book and perhaps those “against” finding meaning in night dreams will rethink their point of view after reading this book. There’s pretty much something for everyone in this book.

Categories: ClientReviews, SelfHelp

Keywords: creativity, fantasy