Ritual Healing

Ritual healing through dreaming is a cross-cultural religious phenomenon. This chapter examines it through the case study of Aelius Aristides, a second-century Roman who recorded dreams at the temple of Asclepius, alongside examples from other traditions and theories from cognitive science and psychology of religion. The authors argue that religions can stimulate, via dream incubation rituals, a natural placebo effect that aids the body's innate capacities for healing, recovery, and self-repair. Special attention is given to the placebo effect and the power of specific interpersonal relationships to generate a healing response.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines the cross-cultural religious phenomenon of ritual healing in and through dreaming. The widespread practice of healing-oriented rituals involving dreams has always involved a religious framework in which the process unfolds. This chapter looks at ritual healing in the context of scientific research on big dreams. The discussion includes a detailed case study (Aelius Aristides, a well-educated man in the second-century c.e. Roman Empire who kept a diary of his dreams at the temple of the healing god Asclepius), references to other religious traditions around the world, and theories from cognitive science and the psychology of religion. Special attention is given to the “placebo effect” and the power of special kinds of interpersonal relationships to generate a healing response. The chapter argues that religions can stimulate, via rituals of dream incubation, a natural placebo effect that aids the body’s innate capacities for healing, recovery, and self-repair.