I have been in love with IASD since the first conference I attended in the early 80's in Ottowa. I had been teaching about dreams and using them in my clinical work for years, but knew few others with whom I could share my interest. At that early conference my biggest problem was that I became exhausted running from lecture to event to workshop - I didn't want to miss a thing. I loved meeting the authors of the books I had been using (most notably Ernest Hartmann, Gayle Delaney, and Walter Bonime), and was so impressed by their helpfulness and openness to newcomers. And I loved being able to visit Al Moffitt's sleep lab, something that was not available at my small University.
I have attended most of the conferences since then, as IASD has grown and developed. Now we have outstanding publications, a large international membership, year-round activities, and a reputation for welcoming anyone with a serious interest in dreams, be they scientist, practitioner, or lay person. And every conference is fresh and exciting.
When I was lost and no one understood me when I talked about my dreams, I found the IASD. The members immediately made me feel welcome, answered my questions or directed me to where I could find the answers.
I found a place, a family, where I could talk about dreams and know I was not alone. I highly recommend that any one interested in any aspect of dreams and dreaming join us.
IASD is most unusual organization. Professionals and individuals from varying disciplines come together in order to understand dreams and dreaming better. Artists, scientists, clinicians, educators and everyday people interested in dreams share research, knowledge and personal dreams in order appreciate the world that we all inhabit every night. Their annual conferences are an absolute blast!
One of the best organizations dedicated to the study of dreams you can find, IASD is dedicated to allowing the dreamer to be the ultimate authority on their dreams. If you are interested in dreams and have not checked out this organization yet, you are truly missing out a great resource.
http://www.asdreams.org/