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In Nocturnes: On Listening to Dreams, Paul Lippmann expresses deep concern over the impact of modern cyber-culture on privacy, imagination, and dream life. In Lippmann's view, the rapid proliferation of electronic technology and scientific knowledge, as well as excessive access to external stimulation and passive entertainment, has lead to a loss of contact with the private moment and the self-generative aspects of solitude and self-reflection. Modern times have literally squeezed the soul out of much of inner life. Lippmann believes we are less able to maintain a private world, due to the power and reach of the global market and mass media that shape our thoughts, imaginations, and desires. For him, the dreaming mind is the last safe haven for private experience in the twenty-first century.
Lippmann criticizes both classical Freudian and relational psychoanalysts as contributing to a recent decreased interest in dreams and disconnection of soul from nature by crowding dreams into specific interpretative architectures. ‘In his view, the Freudian mistrust of latent content, emphasis on depth interpretations, and rigid adherence to fixed interpretations of universal symbols has stifled the inherent freedom of dreams to teach and guide. Lippmann views modern relational analysts as preoccupied with seeing reflections of themselves in their patients’ dreams.
To counterbalance these trends, he advocates a particular attitude and sensibility when approaching dreams. His refreshingly naturalistic-interpersonal perspective includes a deep respect and appreciation for the mystery and creative power of the unconscious. He sets the ambience,