The following guidelines were drafted to serve this function. I originally put them down on paper when a local group organized a community theater piece called Dreamdance of Ata, inspired by the novel The Kin of Ata. While their task was to look for good theatrical material from each group, for many this was a new experience in dream sharing. It seemed an intriguing idea, yet one that could have disastrous results if there were no guidelines to follow. The following was my response.
Dreams are private experience.
Confidentiality Dreams are not material for idle gossip. Remember that the dreamer has taken a big risk opening up and sharing their inner world with you. Act with sensitivity and caring both in the dream sharing process and afterward. Always tell the dream in first person present tense, as though you are experiencing the dream right now. This helps you to connect with and reexperience the dream, as well as making it much easier for others to listen.