What is it about?
This study explores how dreams are not only personal experiences but also powerful social practices. We worked with the Misioneros del Temporal, a community group in Morelos, Mexico, who share their dreams with each other to guide rituals, strengthen identity, and face uncertainty caused by climate change. By listening to and analyzing these shared dream stories, we show how they help build resilience, foster community bonds, and shape collective action.
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Why is it important?
Dreams are usually seen as private or individual, but this research highlights their social and cultural power. In times of climate crisis and unpredictability, communities need creative ways to respond. The Misioneros del Temporal show how dreams can inspire cooperation, provide symbolic guidance, and support collective well-being. This work offers new insights into the cultural role of dreams and opens possibilities for understanding resilience and adaptation beyond traditional scientific approaches.
Perspectives
For us, this project has been both an academic and a personal journey. Participating in and witnessing ancestral rituals where dreams guide collective action allowed us to experience how cosmovisions are kept alive in practice. Listening to people share their dreams with such openness and trust was deeply moving. We realized how much wisdom and creativity can emerge when a community comes together to face challenges collectively. Writing about the Misioneros del Temporal reminded us that research is not only about analyzing data but also about honoring the voices and practices that make resilience possible. We hope this article inspires others to see dreams not just as private stories, but as living bridges between individuals, communities, and the uncertainties of our world.
DR. DIANA PLATAS-NERI
Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Oneiric Circle and the Misioneros del Temporal in Morelos, Mexico., Dreaming, August 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/drm0000319.
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