A modern day pilgrimage both for those looking for deeper answers and healing and for those who just want to dip their toes into the water and explore the world of dreams.

 

Our Dream healing pilgrimage brings the ancient Greek principles of dream healing and holistic health into the modern world. During the pilgrimage we will visit both ancient and modern holy sites, immersing ourselves in their still mysteries and opening up to new possibilities.

 

Time spent at the Spirit of Life Centre will allow us to explore and experience deeper aspects of ourselves using the mediums of quiet contemplation, meditation and being closer to Nature. Sharing company and good food with others is also an important part of the process to help us become more aware of ourselves, our day dreams, night dreams and intuitive insights.

 

Our healing pilgrimage visits Athens, Ancient Epidavros, Corinth, Messini and Mystras. You will experience the healing energy of these ancient holy places. It was in the temples dedicated to Asklepius (or Asclepius), the gentle Greek god of healing, that the first Therapeutes (therapists) used a holistic ‘mind, body and spirit’ approach to health. We will explore the myths of Asklepius, whose healing cult survived for over 2000 years. We will create our own dream healing experience using these time honoured truths.

 

 

• Day 1. Arrive Athens. Welcome dinner and overnight stay.

• Day 2. Visit Acropolis and healing sanctuary. Travel to Ancient Corinth and Asklepion. Overnight stay Epidavros.

• Day 3. Explore Epidavros and healing sanctuary. Visit Mystras via Sparta. On to Spirit of Life Centre.

• Days 4 - 9. Experiential dream work at Spirit of Life. Visits to ancient Messini and other local sites / shrines. Culminating in the dream incubation (for those who want).

• Day 10. Depart Athens.

 

 

 

The Greeks had a wonderful marriage of science and the miraculous (or that which is beyond the rational). When somebody could not be cured by their modern medicine, the physician would acknowledge this and would then look towards the gods and Asklepius in particular.

 

Asklepius was the Greek god of healing. His healing sanctuaries were found throughout the known Hellenic world. This tradition was active for almost 2000 years from around 1300 BCE to 500CE. In times of illness and when the physician was unable to help, one would turn to Asklepius for healing. Healing would come about through a visitation of the healing god (or one of his totems - the dog or snake) in a dream. The dream would then result in a spontaneous healing or an indication of what had to be done or undone to bring about healing.

 

These healing sanctuaries were called Asklepions. People would go on a pilgrimage to these centres. They would be offered bodywork, hydrotherapy, psychotherapy, good food and changes in diet. They also enjoyed theatre, music and poetry (non-rational forms of healing which can touch on a very deep soul level). Undoubtedly all the ancient Asclepions were in very beautiful natural settings that can also inspire on a very deep level.

 

When the temple Therapeutes (therapists) considered a person was ready, they would be introduced to the Abaton. The Abaton was an incubation room where the patient would pray to the god, and sleep - expecting a visitation from Asklepius in their dreams. At first the Abaton were just holy caves but later they were found within the temple. The patients’ cure would be spontaneous or the answer to their healing would be found within the dream. The illnesses cured were recorded on the thousands of votive offerings that were presented to the temples.

 

In many ways the life of Asclepius was a mirror of the life of Jesus. Like Jesus, Asklepius was a mortal, a healer born of a mortal woman and divine father. He was killed only to rise and became divine.

 

The Christian church incorporated many of the rituals around Asklepius. In the Greek Orthodox Church even now, votive offerings are presented to particular healing saints, the Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ. Dreams are still held in high regard in Greek folk culture.

 

Modern dream healing does not mean that you have to become a believer in Pagan gods. Each individual can pray to the healing benevolent god of our own beliefs. The principles of Asklepial healing are universal truths:

 

 

All these can touch us at a very deep level and can be both cathartic and healing. These are all essential steps in the healing process.

 

Once you commit to your dream healing pilgrimage then from that moment you start your journey of healing.

 

Kindred Spirit Dream Healing Issue 64

 

Sweet Dreams. The Guardian.

 

Daydream believer. The Observer.

 

Sources:

1 Asclepius collection and interpretation of the testimonies - Emma and Ludwig Edestein.

2 The practise of dream healing - Edward Tick.