Chapter 9

Biblical Dreams
Examples of the CREEI dream patterns

Draft (Please do not distribute)

The above CREEI scan lists all the dreams I could find in the Bible. They do not include visions, which might also be included someday.

Note that there is only one dream example with a transformative pattern.  ThatÕs the dream in which Solomon negotiates with God for wisdom. He wasn't passive as so many dreamers are. I was thrilled to realize this as I read the dream and saw how it scored.  Well, of course! This was at the root of his legendary transformation of how God granted his wish for wisdom.

There was also only one dream example with a motivational pattern, where the king of Egypt is warned in a dream to stay away from AbrahamÕs wife.  The dream says in no uncertain terms, sheÕs not his sister, buster, so donÕt mess with her.  That was motivational.  The king took the dream's advice; he was motivated--warned--to pay attention. 

All the other dreams in the Bible score either anticipatory (prophetic) or anticipatory/traumatic.

The very first dream in the Bible is a good example of this last pattern: where God made a legendary covenant with Abraham; it scores both anticipatory and traumatic. Abraham was frightened by the dream, because God came to him in a strange and fearsome whirlwind.

Many people have commented that the CREEI process is fascinating because thereÕs absolutely no content to reveal or disclose during the entire process.  The CREEI cumulative scan reveals nothing about the content of the dream.  And that protects people.

Teachers can use the CREEI process for working with students, writing myths or beliefs they have about themselves, then rewriting the myth using the CREEI process.  In a sense, this is re-mythologizing.