English

Drs. Carolus den Blanken (1951) is a Dutch scientist and writer. Originally a psycho-diagnostic clinical educational psychologist, annex teacher, (management) trainer, social counselor and dreamspecialist. His 1990-book 'The art of lucid dreaming: a manual' is the first Dutch work on the subject since Frederik van Eeden. He is a specialist regarding the first scientist who wrote about this phenomenon in 1867, Marquis d'Hervey de Saint-Denys. Books and articles related tot lucid dreaming can be found on this site, Amazon.com, and elsewhere on the internet. In the Netherlands he has published books on several topics. He feels a connection to Morocco. He reports on this in 'A Dutchman in Morocco' and 'Tulipan & Aicha Kandisha'. 'Hakim & Co.' is about Moroccan youth in the eighties in the (then) disadvanteged neighborhood of Zuilen in Utrecht. His Utrecht childhood years are described in 'Keep your back straight' and 'In front of the door.' A satire ('Carlos does not smoke anymore') and a gay-themed novel ('Moroccan Fruit') appeared. Occasionally he translates a book. You won't find him on social media. What he thinks worth sharing he incorporates into his books. He still dreams.

In 1867 Librairie d'Amyot at Paris published a book entitled 'Les Reves et les Moyens de les diriger: Observations Practiques', written by the French Marquis d'Hervey de Saint-Denys. It is the first serious book on dreamprocesses, and the ability to be conscious during dreaming is also described. For detailed information, I refer you to the article 'Historical View Saint-Denys' on this site.

It seems that the book means 'trouble' for publishers; announced translations in the past never appeared. More recently Mr. Daniel Love organized in 2014 a crowdfunding with the aim to publish an integral English translation of the book, but the project failed.

In 1982 'Dreams and How to Guide Them', edited by Mr. Morton Schatzman, appeared. It does not include the original cover, frontispice nor the Appendix. This version should not be considered as a translation, but an adaptation. E.g. complete parts have not been included. In addition, the whole atmosphere of the original - almost totally a 'flowery' text - has vanished in the short, dry English sentences.

Already having translated in 2013 the book integral into Dutch language, boldly I decided to make the integral English translation. I am however not a professional translator, and nor the French nor the English language is my native one. So I realized there would be flaws and rough edges, but I thought: 'better something than nothing'.

In 2016, with Drs. Eli Meijer as co-editor, the e-book 'Dreams and the Ways to Direct Them: Practical Observations' appeared.

You can read or download it, as our gift to the lucid dream community, free of charge, here.

Inner Garden Press published in 2020 'Dreams and the Ways to Direct Them: Practical Observations, Including an Appendix with a Reveal of a Dream After taking Hashish'. It concerns a completely enhanced edition from our free version.

Below is a review of this book from the United States on August 22, 2023 on Amazon.com:

In 2021 Ouboros Publishing came with the English paperback 'Dreams and How to Direct Them: Practical Observations'. Abraxas Editores (Editor), Daniel. C. Bernardo (Translator).

Below is a review of this book in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2023 on Amazon.com:

'Would have loved to given this a good review, but the absurdly small text and complete lack of basic page layout shows that the "publisher" has absolutely no idea how to create a book.'

In 2021 MIT Press announced on behalf of the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Hervey de Saint-Denys (which is Mai 6, 1822), an English paperback and a Kindle-edition, entitled 'Dreams and How to Guide Them: The Legendary Dream Control Manual' with an introduction by Mr. Phil Baker. The (false) claim is that it will be 'The first unabridged English translation of a classic work on dreams'.

As I wrote above: 'It seems that the book means 'trouble for publishers', because the announced publication dates has shifted several times and up untill now it has not appeared. In a recent personal communication, Mr. Baker forsees autumn 2025.