Areas of Expertise
Dreamwork
Dream Consultant
Substance Abuse & Spirituality Counseling
Clients
Individuals, Community groups and Organizations
Location
Based in Philadelphia, PA
Counsels & Facilitates Online
MediaKit
David Discusses Dreams.
David’s Introduction to Dreams!
David Low, MS, Ph.D.
T. 215.206.4091
DAVID LOW—SPIRITUAL COUNSELOR, DREAMWORKER, MEDITATION TEACHER, INTERFAITH MINISTER
“We dream because we are human… they are the most evident and available means we all have of accessing higher reality, of dialoging with God/Self. If you ignore them, your life will probably turn out fine, but you will miss out—as most of us still do, even today—on potentially greater levels of happiness, fulfillment, enlightenment. (Attention to your dreams is one thing worth getting addicted to!)” – David Low, Ph.D.
Greetings! I am a former adjunct professor of religion, substance abuse counselor, technical writer, and even entertainer (juggler in small circuses). These days I do spiritual counseling and teach adult-ed courses in religion and spirituality (see specifics below!) As an Interfaith Minister I seek to help people good deeper than the conditioning of language and culture… deeper than religion… to the universal and foundational core of all spirituality.
The spiritual journey is everything to me… 48 years’ worth so far of yoga, meditation, Gurus, different groups, traveling and visiting temples of all the faiths in Italy, South America, but especially India. Ever since my big initiation in 1983, all my major decisions have been determined by dreams—sometimes involving deities, my Gurus, etc.—for which I’m grateful! That’s a dimension of spirituality we ALL have, and which I’ve helped many clients develop and cultivate.
As a trained counselor I’ve done couples work, used CBT, etc. to help people with anxiety and so on, but mainly what I do today is MEDITATIVE INSIGHT COUNSELING, which always involves at least meditation (lol), plus usually some of the other things below! I wrote textbook called Universal Spiritual Philosophy and Practice, which I use with clients sometimes, and I’m putting together a psychology workbook which will utilize the philosopher Baruch Spinoza’s insights about the emotions.
“On a number of occasions, David has helped me to discern what to put my attention on in, my vast dreamscape. His ‘passionately soft’ coaching has made a difference for me to then embody the dream, and to honor it. Because dreams are so intimate and personal, it is important to feel safe when you share them… David creates the space for that very well. He’s definitely a “dream whisperer.” – Bill Black, PA
DreamWork Sessions & Consultations
Dreams are the most natural and available means we all have to access higher reality. Their information is on offer all the time—we need only be interested! They usually communicate in code—a profound universal symbolic language—because the dreamer must choose to make an effort to fathom them! Dreams are meant to make us talk to each other, so let’s do a session and I’ll help you with yours. Details here.
Through email and phone conversations, we’re limited mostly to verbal interpretation, which of course can be powerful. When brought to the light, the deeper truth about something important in our lives blows away all the other, less accurate ideas we had about it! With Skype however, we can work with the embodied dimension of the dream as well.
So, I would be honored to help you understand the messages that your dreams want you to get—especially if they are recurring dreams. Video conference with me by Skype, Zoom (small groups) or just talk with me by phone if necessary. OR we could do written-only interpretations involving email plus a follow-up conversation—or email only. Whatever makes you comfortable. Get in touch!
“Working with David was extremely beneficial for overcoming my anxiety and panic disorders. He helped me defeat my crippling emetophobia, something that took over my life and made me live in fear. His thorough cognitive and behavioral exercises have eliminated my anxiety, as well as encouraged and led me to live a healthier, happier life. I 100% recommend David. ”
“David is an outstanding counselor, mentor, and uses his understanding of all layers of the human mind to help build skills and tools that are life-long. His contribution and impact on my life personally has helped in a transformation that feels life-changing. David spends time considering the things his clients need with great care and consideration while also helping to keep me accountable. He is one of the most skilled therapists I’ve ever known as well as one of the most attuned listeners and guides through the journey of life. I would and have recommended David to anyone looking to heal, find inner peace, or just to work through issues of daily life. David’s abilities and skills as a therapist are positively adding to our world and I am so grateful that we were able to connect.”
“I got so much more than I expected from the one-day workshop with David Low. As a Licensed Professional Counselor myself, I am used to going to trainings and David’s was every bit as good as any I have attended. I participate regularly in 2 self improvement groups and was very happy to experience an important piece of personal growth through the processing of one of my dreams with David and our workshop group. It was more than just an ‘Aha!’ moment, it was actually growth. I heartily recommend David’s work. “
“I greatly enjoyed David Low’s one-day workshop entitled NIGHTTIME DREAMS: GETTING HELP AND RESOLVING ISSUES. The material and work were deeply thought provoking. Thanks to you and the men in the group, I came away understanding two important things about myself that were bothering me but I couldn’t identify until Sunday. Great work, valuable material, excellent organization. Keep me posted if you decide to host other workshops.”
“Dr. David is a frequent and very much looked forward guest on BBSradio.com Meta Mondays, where we discuss all topics, and have guests from the metaphysical field. He is so helpful that he returns monthly to analyze and teach about dreams. I have referred clients who rave about his work, and I know that he has answered dream questions on the show so accurately and in tune with exactly what is going on in their lives. He is professional, yet very relatable.”
“I have been in groups with David Low to learn how to interpret dreams. He has been a remarkable teacher. He has shown respect for each student and allowed each their way of reaching understanding thru his carefully crafted program we follow. He is sensitive and caring which shows in many ways through out his time with us. His gentle manner guides us to find our own answers. His formula for interpretations of others dreams is unique for its kindness and clarity of purpose. It allows us to be wrong without consequences. I heartily recommend him for any project he will take on.”
“David’s reading was so helpful in interpreting my dream. He helped me to see to the core of it. He related to every thing that I remembered and was so patient. I never felt hurried and felt he was genuinely interested in helping me. I would not hesitate to contact him again with any future dreams.”
“On a number of occasions, David has helped me to discern what to put my attention on in, my vast dreamscape. His ‘passionately soft’ coaching has made a difference for me to then embody the dream, and to honor it. Because dreams are so intimate and personal, it is important to feel safe when you share them… David creates the space for that very well… he’s definitely a “dream wisperer.”
Additional Counseling Services
After 48 years of it and lots of study, I’ve realized that people often don’t continue a practice because 1) they learned the wrong method for them, 2) they don’t prepare their space well enough—including when they last ate, things like that—or 3) because (believe it or not) they don’t really understand what meditation is about to begin with! (Seriously!!) I will help you find the method and intensity of practice that is right for you!
Affirmations
These often are not done well because the seeker doesn’t understand or feel the spiritual dynamics involved. If there’s something you really need or want, let me help you get in alignment with the forces that can bring it about!
Spiritual Direction
If you want a relationship with a “elder” (I’m 68) who can help you with lots of common sense as well as spiritually-related questions, including issues with all the religions as well as New Age and secular approaches, I’m your guy!
Mindful Recovery
I have seven years of agency experience, mostly with opiates but dealing with all kinds of other addictions as well, whether to substances or behaviors. If you have this problem, I can definitely help you learn contemplative and spiritual strategies if your 12-step meetings or whatever are not working well enough for you.
Urban and Wilderness Vision Quests
This is an underutilized practice that many seekers can benefit from! They don’t have to be done in nature, although that helps. Intentional, extended solitude invariably results in greater self-understanding when you are through! Let me help you structure a vision quest that suits your disposition and circumstances.
Contemporary Spirituality Courses
If you or your group would like instruction in “Buddhist Philosophy and Ethics,” “Islam in the 21st Century,” “Nighttime Adventures: Remembering and Interpreting Your Dreams,” or “Methods of Meditation,” those are all 3-5 session courses that I’ve been teaching for some years, both in person and online.
You have a problem. You leave your latest support group meeting, with a mental dose of personal-discipline reinforcement. 60 days so far! This time I wont screw it up, you think. You see your sponsor the next day, and then leave town for a weekend family get-together at the shore, that you have to attend… and where the booze will be flowing.
When you get there, little by little, you succumb. Feeling the need to connect with people, you laugh and joke, getting slowly swept up in the party atmosphere, with all its fun associations, and no support or strength of mind to stay your course and not drink. You soon toss the Pepsi-Cola out of your glass (or reach for your pipe or pills or works in your pocket) and it’s off to the races.
Sound familiar? If you are prone to addictive behavior of any kind, I can help. I specialize in common-sense and spiritually based strategies for recovery focused around self-inquiry and meditative practices (not in the usual sense) to support your more conventional efforts. And we’ll explore more deeply what each of the 12 steps, traditions, etc. means to you in particular, to get you rock-solid in your recovery! Should you be averse to 12-step meetings, there are other approaches out there which I can get you started on.
The insights you will learn are based on ancient teachings from world philosophical and religious systems. Through this combination of strategies you will learn and experience 1) greater awareness of mental processes, 2) internal recognition of triggers, 3) meditative techniques to apply in different situations, 4) greater self-love, and 5) a refined personal understanding of your “Higher Power.”
Let me get you started on a powerful set of tools that you can use, to ensure a more effective recovery!
“I got so much more than I expected from the one-day workshop with David Low. As a Licensed Professional Counselor myself, I am used to going to trainings and David’s was every bit as good as any I have attended. I participate regularly in 2 self improvement groups and was very happy to experience an important piece of personal growth… It was more than just an ‘Aha!’ moment, it was actually growth. I heartily recommend David’s work.” – Tony Kearney, LPCDalton, PA
LIFE SITUATION COUNSELING
If there is a practical situation in your life that you are confused about, or which you lack the courage or motivation to address, I can help you break the problem and deal with it in a step-by step way, often resolving personal issues for you in the process.
Life presents us with endless situations. Maybe you can’t decide whether to go for a new job you’ve been offered; maybe you have to negotiate with an ex to get belongings out of an old house; maybe you’re confused about whether to devote financial resources to something. Or, more personally, maybe you have trouble approaching someone for a relationship, or for separating or ending a relationship, or for apologizing, for negotiating something important. Or maybe you just want to figure out what you want to do, or what spiritual option to explore for you growth.
What we would do together is break the situation down, look at its components, weigh up the pros and cons, examine the people involved and how they are likely to react, and then be sure that you have the knowledge and confidence to follow through with what we both think (especially you!) is your most likely successful course of action. Personal obstacles often arise as you do this, simply because you would be examining the problem with greater precision than ever before, leading to greater awareness of what you will have to do and of your own problems in doing them. We would then resolve those issues as best we can.
We are often indecisive about things because we don’t see the “big picture”. The big picture always wants the best for everyone and everything involved, even if it doesn’t look that way at first. Otherwise you may feel guilty and reserved about what you’re doing, because you will not have thought it through like you could have. With all the feelings we experience around personal issues, the big picture can be hard to discern. So, if you lack clarity concerning a situation in your life, I would be honored to help you decide what to do!
“I’m inspired by David’s ability as a presenter. The respect, warmth, and clarity with which he addresses his audiences is equally balanced by his knowledge and understanding of a subject.”
“I got so much more than I expected from the one-day workshop with David Low. As a Licensed Professional Counselor myself, I am used to going to trainings and David’s was every bit as good as any I have attended. I participate regularly in 2 self improvement groups and was very happy to experience an important piece of personal growth… It was more than just an ‘Aha!’ moment, it was actually growth. I heartily recommend David’s work.”
David Low, Ph.D. Books:
David Low, Ph.D. is the author of Universal Spiritual Philosophy and Practice. This book presents all the central insights of mystical experience, and relates them in a practical way to psychological understandings of spiritual maturity. Over 20 different spiritual practices are reviewed, and 48 illustrations and lively graphics make for easy reading. Available where books are sold, including AMAZON.
As a dream specialist, I wanted to acquaint my clients, students, and fellow dreamers with what I think are the most important “basics” in the field, including some spiritually related understandings which are often overlooked. Although I have a thorough respect for the empirical studies which have helped us understand them, I believe the metaphysical dimension of dreams is more significant. They represent more profound, spiritual levels of communication shared by all human beings.
Available soon on Amazon!
Book Reviews
“David Low’s book offers a haven of basic understanding of spiritual concepts and terms, and also clarifies some misunderstandings. It is simple in the best sense of the word, because its intent is to avoid the sometimes disorienting content of spiritual books: too complex, too dogmatic, too “woo woo” etcetera… it frees seekers from such burdens, so they can be more sure-footed on the path they choose or are already walking.”
“I love how Dr. Low’s book opens the door to a world of spiritual philosophies and practices which provides the reader an opportunity for self-discerning… Whether you are on the very first step of your spiritual awakening or have been on your path for years, this book has something to offer you!”
“David’s book is an incredible testament to his life’s work on his own spiritual path. Not only does he include many of the psycho-spiritual traditions, but also the mind/body issues, so it is truly a new kind of comprehensive spiritual textbook to be studied and pondered over… This is a man who has lived the spiritual path for many, many years, and now can become one of its best teachers because of his understanding and personal experiences.”