Dreamsthatarecommonoccurrencesandarethoughtbytheworldtobemeaningless.
Ihaveendeavored,throughtheoccultforcesinandaboutmetofindtheiresotericorhiddenimport.
_Dreamstranspireonthesubjectiveplane.Theyshouldthereforebeinterpretedbysubjectiveintelligence_.This,thoughburdenedwithmanybusinesscares,Ihavehonestlyendeavoredtodo.
ThroughthelonghoursofmanynightsIhavewaitedpatientlyandpassivelytheautomaticmovementofmyhandtowritethesubjectivedefinitionswithoutreceivingawordorasinglemanifestationofintelligence,andagainthemysteriousforceswouldwriteasfastasmyhandcouldmoveoverthepaper.
Iwillleaveitformyreaderstodrawtheirownconclusionsastowhetherautomaticwritingistheworkofextraneousspirits,throughthebrainandintelligenceofthemedium,ortheresultofauto-suggestiveinfluenceuponthesubjectivepersonality.
ItisarguedbytheMaterialist,withsomedegreeofstrength,thatthehealthymandoesnotdream,Thisis,perhaps,true,inaway,butthewholemancomprisesthepast,present,andfuture.Thepastandfuturealwaysembracemoreoftheconditionsthatsurroundhimthanthepresent.Thepresentisonlytheacutestage,whilethechronicstage,consideredfromapersonalview,isthepastandfuturecombined.
Mancannoteliminateentirelythesestatesfromhimself,for,whiletheyarepastandfuturetothepersonalmind,theyareeverpresenttothehighersubjectivesenses;heis,therefore,neverinperfecthealthunlessthesestatesareinharmonywiththepresent.
Thepersonalself,inanormalstate,cannotfreeitselffromthepastorfromtheanxietiesofthefuture.
Thereadershouldeverkeepbeforehismindthefactthatnomaneverhadthesamedreamtwice.Hemayhavehadverysimilardreams,butsomedetailwillbemissing.Natureseemstoabhorduplicates.
Youcouldnomorefindtwodreamsalikethanyoucouldfindfacsimilesintwobladesofgrass.Amancannotlivetwodaysexactlyalike.
Differentinfluencesandpassionswillpossesshim.Consequently,notwodreamscanbehadunderexactlythesameinfluences.StereotypesarepeculiarlytheinventionofmanandnotofGodornature.
Sinceitisimpossibletofindamantwiceinexactlythesamementalstate,itisequallyimpossibleforhimtodreamthesamedreamtwice;therefore,itisonlypossibletoapproximatedreaminterpretationbyclassingthemintofamilies.
ThisIhaveattemptedtodoinamorecomprehensivewaythanotherwriterswhohaveprecededme.
Allmenareacquaintedwithhealthandsickness,loveandhate,successandfailure.Sickness,hateandfailurebelongtokindredfamilies,andoftenallytheirforcesinsuchawaythatitishardtosaywhetherthedreamerwillfailinlove,healthorsomebusinessundertaking.
Butatalltimesabadsymbolisawarningofevil,thoughthatevilmaybeminimizedorexaggerated,or_viceversa_,accordingassignsaregood.
Thus,ifthedreamsymbolindicateswealthorfortunetothepeasant,hiswakinglifemaybegladdenedbyreceivingorseeingafifty-centpiece,orfindingassuringwork,whilethesamesymboltoawealthymanwouldmeanmanydollars,orafavorableturninaffairs.
Itisthesameinphysicallife.Amanmayhearthesoundofawagon.
Hecannotdeterminebytherattleofthewheelswhetheritisladenwithlaundry,groceriesordrygoods.Hemayjudgeastoitssizeandwhetheritisbearingaheavyoralightburden.Whenitobjectifieshewillbeabletoknowitsfullimportandnotbefore.
Sowithdreamsymbols.Wemayknowtheyarefraughtwithevilorgood,asinthecaseofPilate\'swife,butwecannottelltheirfullmeaninguntiltheirreflectionsmaterializebeforetheobjectivesense.
Deathismorefrequentlyforetoldbydreammessagesorvisions,asexplainedinanotherpartofthischapter.
Duringsleepthewillissuspended,leavingthemindoftenapreytoitsownfancy.Theslightestattackofanenemymaybeforetoldbytheunbridledimaginationexaggeratingthementalpictureintoamonstroussharkorsnake,when,indeed,amuchlessportentoussignwascastfromthedreammold.
Awomanmayseeaserpentinwakinglifeandthroughfrightlosereasonorself-control.Sheimaginesitpursuesherwheninrealityitisgoinganoppositedirection;inalikewaydreamsmaybemanytimesunreal.
Themindlosesitsreasonorwillinsleep,butasupersensitiveperceptionisawakened,and,asitregainsconsciousnessfromsleep,thesoundofaknockonthewallmaybemagnifiedintoapistolshot.
Thesleepingmindisnotonlysupersensitiveastoexistingexternalsoundsandlight,butitfrequentlyseeshoursanddaysaheadofthewakingmind.
Noristhiscontradictorytothelawsofnature.Theanthousedinthedepthoftheearth,awayfromatmosphericchanges,knowsoftheapproachoftheharvest,andcomesforthtolaybyhisstore.
Inalikemanner,thepetsquirrelisabetterbarometerofthelocalweatherthantheWeatherBureau.Withunerringforesight,whenawintryfrownnowheremarsthehorizon,heisabletoapprehendacoldwavetwenty-fourhoursahead,andbuildhishouseaccordingly.
Soinsleep,mandreamsthefuturebyintuitiveperceptionofinvisiblesignsorinfluences,whileawakehereasonsitoutbycauseandeffect.
Theformerseemstobethelawofthespiritualworld,whilethelatterwouldappeartobethelawofthematerialworld.Manshouldnotdependaloneuponeither.Togethertheyproclaimthemaleandfemaleprincipleofexistenceandshouldfindharmoniousconsummation.
Inthismanneronlycanmanhopetoachievethatperfectnormalstatetowhichthebestthoughtofthehumanraceisaspiring,wherehecancreateandcontrolinfluencesinsteadofbeingcreatedandcontrolledbythem,asthemajorityofusareatthepresentday.
God,thehighestsubjectivesourceofintelligence,mayinadreamleaveimpressionsorpresentimentsonthemindofman,thehighestobjectivesourceofintelligence.
Thephysicalsunsendsitslightintothedarkcornersoftheearth,andGod,theSpiritualSun,impartsspirituallightintothepassiveandreceptivesoul.
Man,byhidinginacave,orclosingthewindowsanddoorsofhishouse,mayshutoutallphysicallight;sohemaysteephissoulinsensualdebaucheryuntilallspirituallightisshutout.
Justasthevitalessenceofthesoil,themotherofnature,maybeextractedbyabuse,eitherfromomissionorcommission,untilneitherthelightofthesun,northemoistureoftheheavenswillwaketheflushoflife,somaythespiritualessencebedeadenedwhenthesoilofthesoulisfilledwiththeagedandmultiplyingweedsofravishingmateriality.
Thedreammindisofteninfluencedbythewakingmind.
Whenthewakingminddwellsuponanysubject,thedreammindismoreorlessinfluencedbyit,anditoftenassiststhewakingmindinsolvingdifficultproblems.Thepersonalfuture,embodiedintheactivestatesoftheuniversalmind,mayaffectthedreammind,producingpremonitionsofdeath,accidentsandmisfortune.
Theobjectivemindrejoicesorlamentsovertheaspectsofthepastandpresent,whilethespiritualmind,strivingwiththepersonalfuture,eitherlamentsorrejoicesovertheprospectiveconditions.
Oneisthebarometerofthepast,whiletheotheristhebarometerofthefuture.
Ifwestudycarefullythespiritualimpressionsleftuponthedreammind,throughtheinterpretationsofthisbook,wewillbeabletoshapeourfutureinaccordancewithspirituallaw.
Thusourtemporaleventswillcontributetoourspiritualdevelopment,andinturnourspiritualknowledgewillcontributetoourtemporalwelfare.
Withoutthisharmoniousinteractionofthetwogreatforcesinman,theDivineplanofdestinycannotbereached.
Thiscanonlybeaccomplishedthroughthematerialmindorreasondominatingtheanimalemotionsoftheheart.
Inthiswaywewouldnotcovetourneighbor\'sgoods,orgrowangrywithourbrotherovertrifles.
Thehousevacatedbythesefish{sic}appetitesoftheworldwouldbefilledwiththewhispersofspiritualloveandwisdomnecessarytothemutualwelfareanddevelopmentofbodyandsoul.
Thetheoryusedinthisbooktointerpretdreamsisbothsimpleandrational.
Bytheusingofityouwillbesurprisedtofindsomanyofthepredictionsfulfilledinyourwakinglife.Wedealwithboththethoughtandthedream.
Thethoughtorsignimpliedintheobjectdreamedofandtheinfluencesurroundingitarealwaysconsideredintheinterpretation.
Thoughtsproceedfromthevisiblemindanddreamsfromtheinvisiblemind.
Theaveragewakingmindreceivesandretainsonlyafewofthelessonsoflife.Itislargelyfilledwithidleandincoherentthoughtsthataresoonforgotten.Thesamemaybetrulysaidofthedreammind.
Manyofourdaythoughtsaredaydreams,justasmanyofournightdreamsarenightthoughts.Ourdaydeedsofevilorgoodpierceorsoothetheconscience,justasournightsymbolsofsorrowandjoysaddenorpleasetheobjectivesenses.Ourday\'sthoughtsarefilledwiththewarningsandpresenceoftheinnermindandournight\'sthoughtsaretincturedandoftencontrolledbyourexternalmind.
Somewriterhassaid:``Everythingthatexistsuponearthhasitsetherealcounterpart.\'\'Christsaid:``Asamanthinkethsoishe.\'\'
AHinduproverbsays:``Manisacreatureofreflection;hebecomesthatuponwhichhereflects.\'\'Amodernmetaphysicistsays:
``Ourthoughtsarerealsubstanceandleavetheirimagesuponourpersonality,theyfillouraurawithbeautyoruglinessaccordingtoourintentsandpurposesinlife.\'\'Eachevilthoughtoractionhasitspursuingphantom,eachsmileorkindlydeeditsguidingangel,weleavewhereverweignoblystand,atombandanepitaphtohauntusthroughthefurnaceofconscienceandmemory.
Closelyfollowinginthewakeofourmultiplyingevilthoughtsarearmiesoftheseghastlyspectrespursuingeachotherwiththeexactintentsandpurposesofthemindthatgavethembeing.Ifweconsiderwellthesefactswewillbeforcedintothinkingourbestthoughtsatalltimes.
Thoughtsarethesubjectiveandcreativeforcethatproducesaction.
Actionistheobjectiveeffectofthought;hencethecharacterofourdailythoughtsismakingourfailureorsuccessofto-morrow.
Theimpersonalminddealswithalltimeandthingsaseverpresent.
Theobjectivemindisconstantlystrivingtopenetratethespiritualrealm,whilethespiritualmindisstrivingtoentermatter,henceouractionshavetheirsubjectivecounterpartsandtheirsubetherealcounterparts.Theuniversalmind,inharmonywiththeevolutionaryplansandlawsofthemacrocosms,materializesthroughfunctionsofthemicrocosm,impartingtoeach,withitsroutineoffailureandsuccess,itsdailyobjectivity.
Theinnerorpassivedreammindmayperceivethesubjectivetypesorantitypesmanydaysbeforetheyobjectifythroughthemicrocosm.
Theirmeaningisoftenwraptinsymbols,butsometimestheactualasitoccursinobjectivelifeisconveyed.
Ourownthoughtimageswhichhavepassedbeforetheobjectivemindmaybeperceivedbytheclevermindreader,butthoseantitypeswhichareaffectingourfuture,butwhichhavenoneotherbutsubjectiveexistence,arerarelyeverperceivedbyanyoneexceptbythepowerofthehigherselforthespiritwithin.
Forthisreasonweareenjoinedbythesagestostudyself.
Withthephysicalmindweonlyseephysicalobjects,withthesubjectivemindweseeonlysubjectiveobjects.
ThiswasPaul\'sdoctrineanditisthebeliefofthebestpsychicthoughtofthiscentury.Bymeansofourreason——
anobjectiveprocessfordiviningthefuture——aidedbymathematicalandgeographicaldata,wemayoutlinethestormcentersandthepathoftheraindaysbeforetheyappearincertainlocalities.
Aftereliminatingallcontingenciesarisingfromclericalerrorandcounteractinginfluence,theprognosticationissureoffulfilment.Forcenturiesaheadtheastronomerforetellstheeclipseofthemoonandthesunandthearrivalofcomets.
Hedoesnotdothisbycrossingtheborderlanddividingthespiritualfromthephysicalworld.Inalikemannerthesubjectiveforcesoperateupontheirownplanesandknowverylittleevenoftheirowncorporalrealm,justasourphysicalsensesknowlittle,ifanything,ofthesoulorspiritualhabitation.
Theyknowthatbygrosslivingthesenseofconsciencemaybedulled,orthatbyrightlivingitmaybestrengthened.
Inlikemannerthesubjectivemindperceivesbyitsownsensescertaininvisibletypesofevilseekingexternalmanifestationsinthemicrocosm.Itknowsthattheseformsoferrorwillworkharmtotheobjectivemind,andthatifpersistedintheywillpervertallintercourseorinterchangeofcounselbetweenthetwofactionsoftheman.Inthisthereisnospiritualperceptionofphysicalobjects,anymorethanthereisinmundanelifeasenseperceptionofspiritualimagesandantitypes.
Theformeronlyseestheformsthatmanifestonitsplane,whilethelattercannoteonlythosecommontoitssphere.
Eachmayrecognizeandfeeltheviolenceorgoodthatthesemanifestationswilldototheirrespectivecounterparts,butwehavenoreasontobelievethatnormalobjectiveorsubjectivestateshavevisionalpowersbeyondtheirownplane.
Themindofmanactinguponthemindofthemacrocosmwillproduce,accordingashethinksoracts,antitypesofgoodorevilintheimaginationoftheworldwhichisreflecteduponthespiritualauraofthemicrocosmprevioustotakingoncorporalform.
Whileinthisstatetheymaybeperceivedbysubjectivity,andthustheimagesseenareimpressedonthedreammindduringsleep,oronthepassivityoftheobjectivesense.
Evilorrighteousactsrecentlycommittedwillmoreacutelyaffectthepresentwakingmindthanthoseenactedatamoreremoteperiod.
Inasimilarwayfuturedisasterorsuccesswhichissoontooccurwillimpressthedreammindmorevividlythanthosewhicharetotranspireatalaterdate.Butinthelivesofallmentherearepastincidentswhichtheywillneverforget,andwhichwillneverceasetofilltheirheartswithprideorremorse.
So,too,intheirdistantfuturethereareimportanteventstotranspirewhicharestrugglingthroughtumultuousinfinitudetoleavetheirghastlyorsmilingimpressuponthedreammind.
Ifyourmentalstatesarepassiveyouwillreceivethewarnings.
Therearecasesonrecordwhichshoweventshavebeenforecastyearsaheadoftheiroccurrence.
Wedonotclaimthatthisbookwillproveaninterpreterofalldreams,orthatthekeysdisclosedwillopentoyouallthemysteriesofthefuture,orevenallthosesurroundingyourownpersonality,butbystudyingthedefinitionsandtheplaneuponwhichtheywerewritten,youwillbeable,throughthepowerofyourownspirit,tointerpretyourowndreams.
Thecombinationofdreamanddreaminfluencesareasinfiniteasthestars,orthecombinationofthoughtandnumber.Theycanonlybeclassedandconsideredassuch.Theycannotbeanalyzedindetailorasawhole.
Inmathematicswehaveninedigitsfromwhichaninfinitevarietyofcombinationsmaybeformedandsolvedbythedeductionofthemind.
Throughthemwemaymeasuretime,space,qualityandquantity.
ThesymboloandIexistbyreasonof_nothing_and_something_ordeathandlife.Thefigureoneissubjecttoillimitableexpansion.Itiswithoutbeginningintheinfiniteofnumber,asGodiswithoutbeginningintheinfiniteofbeing.
Aswiththevegetablekingdom,thetinyseedoracornsilentlyworkingitsmagicaltransformationintoaplantortree,anddirectingitsdestinywithmarvelousintelligencethroughthetorridandfrigidvicissitudesoftheseasons;
soismanwithoutbeginningintheinfinitudeofhisownbeingormicrocosm.Manisbothatypeandantitype.
Atypeofwhatpre-existedintheimaginationoftheworld,andanantitypeofafuturelifeyettomanifestitselfonanotherplanewheretheincidentsoftheonewillbesubjective,astheeventsoccurringininfancyorinotherplanesarenowsubjective.
Hisdreams,thoughtsandactions,andtheinfluencesthatproducethemandtheirmultiplyingcombination,cannotbenumberedorreproducedanymorethanyoucannumbertheleavesoftheforest,orfindtwoexactlysimilarunitsamongthem.
Thusthefullmeaningorinterpretationofdreamscannotbefullydemonstratedthroughmentalorevenspiritualstereotypes.
Butbytheintelligentuseofthisbookyouwillbeabletotraceoutalmostanydreamcombinationandarriveatthetruenatureofitsportent.
Awisedoctor,inpreparingmedicineforapatient,considerswellhisage,temperamentandhispresentcondition.
Soshouldtheinterpreterofdreamsponderwellthementalstate,thehealth,habitsandtemperamentofthedreamer.
Thesethingsnoonecanknowsowellasthedreamerhimself.
He,therefore,withtheaidofthisbook,willbeabletointerprethisdreamsbythelightthatisinhim.
Manisthemicrocosmoraminiatureworld.Hehasasoulandmentalfirmament,boundedbythestellardustandthemilkyway,andfilledwiththemysteryofsuns,satellitesandstars.
Thesehecanstudybestbytheastronomyofinductionandintrospection.
Hehasalsoaphysicalplane,diversifiedbyoceans,lakes,rivers,fertilevalleys,wasteplacesandmountains.
Allareincosmicinterdependencyastheyareinthemacrocosm.
Herereststhemysteryofbeing——thegrandestofsubjects!
Thestudentisnolessbewilderedandawedthanthegeologistwhogropesblindlythroughtheseamsoftheearthsearchingforlinksintheinfinitechainofknowledge,ortheastronomersweepingtheheavensofthemacrocosminquestofnewphenomena.
Thetwoplanesaredependentuponeachother.Itisthesmileordiseaseofthefirmamentthatblessesordiseasestheearth.
Itislikewisetheimpurefirmamentofthemicrocosmthatdiseasesthebodyandsoul.Ifitreflectsthedroughtofthoughtorthevariousstatesofevil,desertswillenlarge,forestofinfectious,venomousgrowthwillformthehabitationoflustandmurder.
Beforegreatmoralorphysicalrevolutionsorcatastrophesoccur,cloudswilldarkenthehorizonofthedreammind;stormswillgather,luridflamesoflightningwillflashtheirvolatileanger;
theexplosivethunderwillrecklesslycarryonitsbombardment;
bellswillring,strangeknockingwillbeheard——symbolsofamessage——
phantomformswillbeseen,familiarvoiceswillcallandpleadwithyou,unknownvisitorswillthreatenyou,unearthlystruggleswithhideousgiantsandagoniesofmindandbodywillpossessyou;
malformationsofthemosthideoustypewillseizeyourvision;
shroudedinsheetsofawhitishvapor,evanescentspecters,withpallidfaceandofwarningcountenance,willclingaroundyou,andcontagionandfaminewillleavetheirdesolateimpressupontheflowerofhealthandinthefieldofplenty.Thusallofuswouldbenightlywarnedinourcircleorminiatureworldifwewoulddevelopsubjectivestrengthtoretaintheimpressionsleftuponourdreammind.Butinspiteofallreasonandconscience——
inspiteoftheinductiveknowledgereceivedthroughoursenses——
wegoonfromdaytoday,andstepbystep,feedingoursoulonthelusciousfruitoftheoutwardsenses,untiltherankweedsofsefishness{sic}havechokedoutallotherforces.
Thusthesoulisfilledwiththoughtimagesthatassumetheformofviciousanimals,homelyvisagedfowls,rabidandsnarlingcatsanddogs,leprousandvirileserpents,cankerouslizards,slimyintestineworms,hairyandmaliciousinsects.
Theyaregeneratedbygreed,envy,jealousy,covetousness,backbiting,amorouslongingsandotherimpurethoughts.Withthesoulfilledwiththisconglomerationofvirusandfilth,whydoubtahellanditscounterpartcondition,orexpectthedayornighttobringhappiness?
Ifevilthoughtswillinfestthesoulwithravenousmicrobes,goodthoughtsanddeedswillstarveandsuppresstheiractivity,andcreateaheaventosupplantthem.Withthisgrandandeternaltruthinview,manshouldeverthinkkindlyofthoseabouthim,controlhistemperinwordandaction,seekhisown,thinkthebestofthoughts,studytorelievetheworthypoor,seeksolaceinthedepthofbeing,andletgentlenessandmeeknesscharacterizehislife.
Thenwillhesowtheseedsofapresentandfutureheaven.
Hisdaythoughtsandhisnightthoughtsinharmonywillpointwithunerringforecasttoapeacefulend.Spiritualandhelpfulwarningswillfalluponthedreammind,asgentlyasdewupontheflowersandassoftlyasamother\'skissuponthelipsoflove.
Whenourexternallivesareguidedbytheforceswithin,sweetarethewordsandmessagesfromourownspirit;
forthosewhoaretrulyblessedarethosewhoseekdivinelovethroughthechannelsoftheirinnerworldofconsciousness.
{illust.caption=ADIAGRAMGIVINGTHETHEORYOFTHISBOOK,ANDTHERELATIONSHIPBETWEENTHEMICROCOSMANDTHEMACROCOSM.
FRAGMENTARYTHOUGHTSFROMDREAMREALMS:}
Manisalittlecircleorworldcomposedoftheinfinitesimalatomsthrownofffromthegreatcircleorparentworld,andfittingintohisplaceinthezoneoflife.Ifintherevolutionsofthegreatcirclehecatchesmorematerialheincreaseshiscircletoobjectiveorsubjectivegrowth:
ifheabsorbsspiritualormindatomsastheyfallfromthegreatbodyofcreativesource,heenlargesorcontractshisowncircleaccordingtotheassimilationofthefoodhereceivesfromtheparent.
Itisoptionalwithmantoobtainspiritualormaterialmannaasitisdisseminatedthroughoutexistence.Tofeedonmaterialdietalone,contractsanddistortsthecircleoftheman;
butafullcomprehensionoftheneedsofthecircle,aproperdenialofsupplytosomeofthecompounds,togetherwithatendercareofotherparts,willroundoutthewholeintoaperfectphysicalandmentalcircleoflife.
Dissentiousandconflictingresultsshouldbeavoidedincomputingthelengthandbreadthofthecompoundedcircleofman\'sindividualworld.
Objectivelifeisoneofthesmallestcompoundsinreallife.
Dreamlifeisfullerofmeaningandteachingoftheinner,orGodlife,thanistheexteriorlifeofman.Themindreceiveseducationfromcommuningwiththedreamcompositioninthegreatcircle.
Consultwithyourwholenatureorcirclebeforebeginningaseriouswork;
partialconsultations,ormaterialadviceonly,oftenbringsdefeatofobjectssought,whenatruehomecounselwouldhavebroughtsuccessandconsequenthappiness.
Manshouldliveinhissubjectiverealmsandstudymorehisrelationtoothercompositionsorcircles;thusfructifyingandmakingbeautifulhisownworldthroughintercoursewithotherswhohaveworkedinthegreatstorehouseofsubjectivity,andwhohaveclimbedalreadyfromthebasementintothelightofspiritualsunshine.
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AFEWQUESTIONSANDSUBJECTIVEANSWERSREGARDINGDREAMS.
QUESTION——Whatisadream?
ANSWER——Adreamisaneventtranspiringinthatworldbelongingtothemindwhentheobjectivesenseshavewithdrawnintorestoroblivion.
Thenthespiritualmanislivingaloneinthefutureoraheadofobjectivelifeandconsequentlylivesman\'sfuturefirst,developingconditionsinawaythatenableswakingmantoshapehisactionsbywarnings,soastomakelifeaperfectexistence.
Q——Whatrelationshipissustainedbetweentheaveragemanandhisdreams?
A——Adreamtotheaverageorsensualperson,bearsthesamerelationtohisobjectivelifethatitmaintainedinthecaseoftheidealdreamer,butitmeanspleasures,sufferingsandadvancementsonalowerormaterialplane.
Q——Thenwhyismannotalwaysabletocorrectlyinterprethisdreams?
A——Justaswordsfailsometimestoexpressideas,sodreamsfailsometimesintheirmindpicturestoportraycomingevents.
Q——Iftheyrelatetothefuture,whyisitwesooftendreamofthepast?
A——Whenapersondreamsofpastevents,thoseeventsarewarningsofevilorgood;sometimestheyarestampedsoindeliblyuponthesubjectivemindthattheleasttendencyofthewakingmindtothepastthrowsthesepicturesinreliefonthedreamconsciousness.
Q——Whyisitthatpresentenvironmentsofteninfluenceourdreams?
A——Becausethefutureofmanisusuallyaffectedbythepresent,soifhemarsthepresentbywilfulwrongs,ormakesitbrightbyrightlivingitwillnecessarilyhaveinfluenceonhisdreams,astheyareforecastingsofthefuture.
Q——Whatisanapparition?
A——Itisthesubjectivemindstoredwiththewisdomgainedfromfuturity,andinitsstrenuouseffortstowarnitspresenthabitation——
thecorporalbody——ofdangersjustahead,takesontheshapeofadearoneasthemosteffectivemethodofimpartingthisknowledge.
Q——Howdoessubjectivitydealwithtime?
A——Thereisnopastandfuturetosubjectivity.
Itisallonelivingpresent.
Q——Ifthatisso,whycan\'tyoutellusaccuratelyofourfutureasyoudoofourpast?
A——Becauseeventsarelikeaprocession;theypassafewatatimeandcastashadowonsubjectiveminds,andthosewhichhavepassedbeforethewakingmindarefeltbyothermindsalsoandnecessarilymakeamorelastingimpressiononthesubjectivemind.
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Q——Toillustrate:Apersononretiringorclosinghiseyeshadafaceappeartohim,theforeheadwellformedbutthelowerpartsdistorted.
Explainthisphenomenon?
A——Achangedstatefromperfectsleeporwakingpossessedhim.
Now,theman\'sfacewasonlytheexpressionofhisrealthoughtsandthestateofhisbusinesscombined.
Histhoughtswerestrongandhealthy,buthisbusinessfagging,hencehisownspiritisnotaperfectlikenessofhisownsoul,asittakeseveryatomofearthlycompositionperfectlynormaltoreproduceaperfectspiritpictureofthesoulormortalman.
Hewouldhaveseenatruelikenessofhimselfhadconditionsbeenfavorable;thusamanknowswhenacompletewholeishisportion.Studytomakesurroundingsalwaysharmonious.
Lifeisonlybeingperfectlycarriedonwhentheseconditionsareinunison.
HOWTODEVELOPTHEPOWERTODREAM.
Keepthemindclearandasfreefrommaterialrubbishasispossibleandgotosleepinanegativeconditionthiswill,ofcourse,havetobecultivatedbythesubject.Apersoncan,ifhewill,completelyrelaxhismindandbodytothereceptivemoodrequiredfordreamstoappearasrealities,ortrueexplanationsoffutureevents.
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Todreamyouareconversingwithadeadrelative,andthatrelativeendeavorstoextractapromisefromyou,warnsyouofcomingdistressunlessyoufollowtheadvicegiven.
Disastrousconsequencescouldbeavertedifmindscouldgrasptheinnerworkingsandsightofthehigherorspiritualself.
Thevoiceofrelativesisonlythathigherselftakingformtoapproachmoredistinctlythemindthatlivesnearthematerialplane.
Thereissolittlecongenialitybetweencommonormaterialnaturesthatpersonsshoulddependmorelargelyupontheirownsubjectivityfortruecontentmentandpleasure.
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DREAMSEXAGGERATED.
Thewillissuspendedduringsleep,sothedreammindismoreapreytoexcitabilitythanthewakingmind.
Thuswhenimagesappearuponthedreamvisiontheyarefrequentlydistortedintohideousmalformationsthatfillitwithfearandexcitement.
CONTRARYDREAMS.
Theconstantdwellingoftheminduponcertainthingsdistortstheirshapesuponsubjectivity,thusthrowingdreamsinexactlyoppositechannelstothewakingreality.Yetthedreameralwaysfeelsasenseofbeingawakeindreamslikethese,andonawakeningexperiencesnorecuperationofmindorbodyaftersuchcontrarydreams,Sleepisnotfullysustainedwhilethedreamerisheldbymaterialideasinthesubjectivestate.
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WHENDREAMSARELESSPRESCIENT.
Thecessationoftheorganstoperformhealthfulfunctionsconvertsamanintoadifferentperson,anddreamswhileinthisstatewouldhavenopropheticmeaning,unlesstowarnthedreamerofthisdisorganizationofhisphysicalsystem.
Dreamsaresymbolsusedbysubjectivitytoimpresstheobjectiveormaterialmindwithasenseofcominggoodorevil.Subjectivityisthespiritualpartofman.Thesoulisthatcircleofmanlyingjustoutsidethegrossmaterialityandpartakinglargelyofit.
Allthoughtsanddesiresenterfirstthesoulormaterialmindandthencastthemselvesonthespirit.Frequentlythesoulbecomessofilledwithmaterialorpresentideas,thatthespiritualsymbolsarecrowdedout,andthenitisthatdreamsseentobecontrary.
Materialsubjectivity,thatis,allthoughtsandideasemanatingfrommaterialsources,gotomakeupthiscircle;thenthemindcatchesupthebetterthoughtsofthissectionandweavesthemintoabroaderandmorecomprehensivepower,sustainingtheownerinhisownjudgment.
Andstillanothercircleisformedofthefinercompoundofthis,whichisspiritualsubjectivity,orthehighestelementofintelligencereachedbyman.[Thiscircleis``thespiritualman\'\'andrelatesinsubstancetothespiritualsoulofthemacrocosmoruniverse.
Itbecomesstrongorweakaswerecognizeorfailtorecognizeitasafactorofbeing.Theprocessofspiritualdevelopmentissimilartothatofthevegetableandanimalkingdoms.
Thetreesontheouterrimoftheforestaremorecapableofresistingthewindthanthosemoretothecenter,byreasonoftheirexposuretostorms;therootshavepenetratedwithdoublestrengthfarintotheearth,andthebranchesarebracedwithtoughenedbarkandcloselyknittedligaments.
Thesamemaybesaidoftheanimalkingdom.Themindisdevelopedbyvigorousexercisejustasarelikewisethemusclesofthebody.
Themorethesearecultivatedbydrawingfromtheirparentalaffinitiesinthemacrocosm,themoreknowledgeorpowertheytakeon.
Thusasamansimulatesinthoughtandactionanape,atiger,agoat,asnakeoralambhetakesontheircharacteristicsandisswayedbylikeinfluencestoenmity,meekness,covetousnessandavariciousness.
Toillustratefurther.Ifheiscunninghedrawsonthefoxofthemicrocosmandbecomes,inactionandthought,likethatanimal.
Ifselfishnesssurvives,thehogprincipleisarousedfromitslatentcellsinthemicrocosmandheisdominatedbymaterialappetites.
Inasimilarwayhemayperceivethespiritualinhimself.
Nature\'slaws,withalltheirnumberlessandintricateramificationsaresimpleintheirharmonyofprocessanduniformityofpurposewhenappliedtothephysicalandethicaldevelopmentsofman.]
Possibilitiesforinnerimprovementsorexpansionsrestwithmaterialman.
Ifheentertainsgrossdesirestotheexclusionofspiritualgerms,hewilldwarfanddegradehigheraspirations,andthusdeprivesubjectivespiritualityofherrightfulpossessions.
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Nature,incompoundingthematerialsforthecreationofthedeafman,inadvertentlydroppedtheingredientsound,hencemakinganimperfectbeing;
andsound,beingthusforeigntohisnature,hecanonlybeapproachedbysignsevenindreams.Subjectivityusesnature\'sforces,whileanormalpersonusesdreamstoworkonhiswakingconsciousness.
Asitisimpossibletousewitheffectafactorwhichamandoesnotnaturallypossess,adeafmanrarelyeverdreamsofsound,orablindmanoflight.
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TWODREAMSARENEVERTHESAME,NORARETWOFLOWERSEVERALIKE.
Whateversymbolisusedtoimpressthedreameristheonewhichislikelytowarnhimmoredefinitelythananyother.
Notwopersonsbeingeverinthesamestateatthesametime,thesamesymbolswouldhardlyconveyidenticalimpressions;
neitherwillthesamedreambeaseffectiveinallcasesofbusinessorlovewiththesamedreamer.
Aperson\'sdreamperceptionwavers,muchasitdoesinwakinghours.
Youfailtofindthesamefragranceintheroseatalltimes,thoughthesameinfluencesseeminglysurroundyou;andthusitisthatdifferentdreamsmustbeusedfordifferentpersonstoconveythesamemeaning.
Creation,confidentofherpowertoperfectherdesigns,doesnotresorttothatmonotonyinherwork,whichmightresultweretheperceptionofman,orthepetalsandfragranceofflowerscastfromonestereotypedmoldofintelligence,beautyorsweetness.
Thisvarietyofschemerunsthroughallcreation.
Youthinkyouhaveidenticaldreams,butthereisalwayssomevariation,evenifitbesomethingdreamedimmediatelyover.
Natureisnosluggardandisforeverchanginghercompounds,sothatthereisboundtobechangeinthedetailsevenofdreams.
Thischangewouldnotmateriallyaffecttheapproachofhappinessorsorrowindifferentpeople,andhencethesamedreamsarereliableforall.
Personsofthesameorsimilartemperamentwillbemoredeeplyimpressedbyacertaindreamthanwouldpeopletheiropposite;
andthoughthedreamcannotbethesameindetailyetitisapparentlythesame,justastwolikeflowersarecalledroses,thoughtheyarenotidentical.
Ifayoungwomantwenty-fiveandagirloffifteenshouldeachhaveadreamofmarriage,thesamedefinitionwouldapplytoeach,justthesameasiftheywouldeachapproachaflowerandsmellofitdifferently.
Differentinfluenceswillpossessthemunconsciously,thoughtheoutwardappearancebethesame.
Ayoungwomanofacertainageiswarnedinadreamoftroublelikelytobefallher,whileanotherofsimilarageandthreatenedtroubleiswarnedalso,butindifferentsymbols,whichshefailstograspandbringbacktowakingexistence,andshethusbelievesshehashadnowarningdream.
Therearethoseintheworldwholacksubjectivestrength,materialorspiritual,andhencetheyfailtoreceivedreams,howeversymbolic,becausethereisnopowerwithinthemtoretaintheseimpressions.
Therearemanyreasonsforthisloss,uttermaterialgross-ness,wantofmemory,physicalweaknessuncoupledfromextremenervousness,andtotallackoffaithinanywarningorrevelationpurportingorcomingfromthedreamconsciousness.
Todreamatnightandthefollowingdayhavethethingdreamedofactuallytakeplace,orcomebeforeyournotice,isnotallegorical.
Itisthehigherorspiritualsenselivingorgraspingtheimmediatefutureaheadofthephysicalmind.Thespiritualbodyisalwaysfirsttocomeintocontactwiththeapproachingfuture;
itispresentwithit,whilestillfuturetothephysicalbody.
Thereisnoreasonwhymanshouldnotgraspcomingeventsearlier,onlyhedoesnotcultivateinnersightashedoeshisoutersenses.
Theallegoricalisusedbecausemanweakenshisspiritualforcebycateringtothematerialsenses.
Heclingstothepleasuresandwoesofthematerialworldtotheexclusionofspirituality.
WHAT\'SINADREAM.
A.
``_WhenhewassetdownontheJudgmentseat,hiswifesentuntohim,saying,`Havethounothingtodowiththatjustman;
forIhavesufferedmanythingsthisdayinadream,becauseofhim_.\'
\'\'——Matthewxxvii,19.
_Abandon_.