I think the neural pathways in our brains affect what happens in our bodies, and so can alter our health.

I know I have different priorities when I am close to dreaming and coming out of dreaming. I notice I am connected to people in a different way, and connected to the earth. For me, I have exactly the same emotional responses when I go through into shamanic trance.

I agree that dreams seem to be involved in laying down memories but I realise that dreaming gives us access to a part of our brain we do not normally have access to.

A recurring dream probably merits close attention. Something wants you to pay attention.

I like the way dreams present themselves as words and images that are trying to get your attention using your model-making brain's ability to make up stories.

I think that when you go on a shamanic journey, you're allowing yourself to have much more access to your unconscious or your sense of connection within the universe, whatever you want to call that. You've accessed places in your brain that you don't normally. You're still there - it's your brain. But you have access in a way that you normally don't. For me, doing that felt like being in a new environment.

Shamanism is the oldest form of communicating and healing. It probably resides in all of us.