"In social dreaming the dreamers tell their dreams to others. Although individuals are necessary to dream, the dream is not just a personal possession for it also captures the political and institutional aspects of the dreamers' social context and how these are present or laced into their struggles for creativity, meaning and ordinariness. The meaning of the dream is expanded and developed through free association, amplification and systemic thinking to give voice to the echoes of thinking and thought that exist in the space between individuals' minds in the shared environment." -- W. Gordon LawrenceThis introductory text explores the phenomenon of social dreaming, a concept first introduced at the Tavistock Institute in 1982. Social dreaming gives an opportunity to share a dream with others and the dream is then further developed by free association and discussion. The focus is on the dream and the social context of the dreamers, rather than the individual dreamers. Dreams often reflect the social environment of the dreamer and thus prove to be a useful tool when examining the group dynamics. It can be used to identify possible problems within that group and to create common ground among the participants. Solutions can be found in unexpected ways when a person's inner thoughts are discussed in the social context he/she belongs to. Social dreaming has been used in business organiations, churches, hospitals and even schools.The author offers various examples of dreams narrated and explored in groups and their applications in the social setting. His extensive experience and knowledge on the subject are combined with an easy-to-understand language in this important text on social dreaming. | 
