Tervuren’s Zeeën relaunches dream workshops: “Working with dreams can reveal new insights

Zeeën in Tervuren will relaunch its popular Dream Portals sessions in August, alongside a broad programme of workshops focused on meditation, creativity and photography. The centre believes dreams can reveal insights that everyday life often conceals. At Zeeën, dream work and creative exercises are used as tools for personal growth.

“We work with the energy of the dream — we play the dream,” says Els Schuerman of Zeeën. Rather than analysing dreams from a distance, participants are invited to step directly into them. They re-enact scenes and respond to guided questions, allowing new perspectives to emerge.

“In ordinary life, we constantly have to adapt ourselves,” says Schuerman. “But in dreams, anything is possible. That is what makes them so extraordinarily creative.”

Dream work as a path to inner insight

The method, often referred to as “playing the dream”, is centred on experience rather than theory. Participants act out scenes from their dreams while others observe without judgement. Sometimes those observers even take on a role within the dream itself.

Supporters say the approach can uncover hidden patterns. Some dreams jump abruptly from scene to scene — a sign of forgotten qualities or recurring behaviours. Others have a beginning, middle and end, what Schuerman calls “dreams of inner knowing”. These often contain insights or warnings.

There is so much wisdom in our dreams.

"It moves me every time to see what this work can do for people," she says. "There is so much wisdom in our dreams." For Schuerman, dream work is personal. "For years I have looked for answers in my own dreams," she explains. "They warn me, put me back on the right path and help me make decisions. We are not only rational beings; we are also emotion, energy and, quite simply, a physical body."

Schuerman completed the Dream Training Programme at ITIP in the Netherlands with Bas Klinkhamer and Nanske Kuiken. Klinkhamer has worked with dreams for more than forty years and has written several books, including Dreams and Nightmares. Schuerman has also studied experiential learning, process facilitation and body-centred approaches to working with emotions.

“I am not a therapist,” she stresses. “If necessary, I am happy to refer people to professional support. But dream work is a powerful way of connecting with what lives deep within us.”

Dream Portals sessions are held in Dutch. After a brief theoretical introduction, the session quickly moves into practical exercises. “Anyone who understands Dutch can take part. And those who prefer to describe their dream in English are welcome too.”

The other workshops listed on www.zee-en.be combine meditation, creative exercises, photography and group reflection.

Upcoming activities at Zeeën in Tervuren

Zeeën has announced a series of creative, meditative and youth-focused activities running from June to August 2026.

• Cacao Meditation – Sunday 7 June 2026 (4.00pm–5.30pm) with Chiara G Coaching
• Meditation & Creative Evening – Friday 12 June 2026. Exploring words, intention, creative writing and experimenting with ink
• Create & Be Youth Summer Camp – Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July 2026
• Short Dream & Creative Workshop Series – Thursday 20, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026. Exploring dreams through role-play and creative exercises
• Dream Portals Workshop – six sessions starting on 3 October, held once a month
• Creative Photography Workshop (Ages 10–14) – Thursdays with Jason through Youth Photography (Zoom In Reach Out)
• Meditative Movement – every Monday morning (ongoing)
• Silent Meditation Sessions – every Monday evening (ongoing)
• Photography Sessions – with Vendula through Little Stars Photography

Further information and updates can be found at www.zee-en.be.