Lucid dreams—where the dreamer knows they are dreaming—may aid creative problem solving more than logical tasks, and dream characters can offer plausible creative advice. In a pilot study, nine lucid dreamers and nine non-lucid dreamers attempted either a logical puzzle or a metaphor creation over ten nights. The results suggest lucid dreams are better suited for creative tasks, and dream characters may serve as a source of creative input. The study also identified methodological issues for future research.
In response to Steve Taylor's review of the revised edition of Shadow, Self, Spirit (2021), the author clarifies that their perspective rejects materialism and affirms the need for metaphysical concepts in transpersonal psychology. They argue that researchers should bracket metaphysical assumptions when studying transpersonal phenomena and prefer non-metaphysical explanations when sufficient. The author expands criticisms of Taylor's 'soft perennialism' and contends that Jorge Ferrer's participatory theory provides a more productive framework for understanding metaphysics, the diversity of spiritual experiences, and religious pluralism.
A verbatim transcript of a structured dialogue between John Rowan and Michael Daniels on the work of Ken Wilber, mediated by David Fontana at a transpersonal psychology conference. The dialogue followed a pre-agreed format of presentations, reconciliation attempts, responses, open discussion, and a summary that ends abruptly due to a recording failure. A postscript discusses the origins of Wilber's levels of consciousness.