第1章

Inadream,inavisionofthenight,whendeepsleepfallethuponmen,inslumberingsuponthebed;thenheopeneththeearsofmenandsealeththeirinstructionthathemaywithdrawmanfromhispurpose,andhidepridefromman.

PREFACE.

``Dreamsarerudimentsofthegreatstatetocome.

Wedreamwhatisabouttohappen.""——BAILEY,TheBible,aswellasothergreatbooksofhistoricalandrevealedreligion,showstracesofageneralandsubstantialbeliefindreams.Plato,Goethe,ShakespeareandNapoleonassignedtocertaindreamspropheticvalue.JosephsawelevenstarsoftheZodiacbowtohimself,thetwelfthstar.

ThefamineofEgyptwasrevealedbyavisionoffatandleancattle.

TheparentsofChristwerewarnedofthecrueledictofHerod,andfledwiththeDivineChildintoEgypt.

Pilate"swife,throughtheinfluenceofadream,advisedherhusbandtohavenothingtodowiththeconvictionofChrist.Butthegrossmaterialismofthedaylaughedatdreams,asitechoedthevoiceandverdictofthemultitude,``CrucifytheSpirit,butletthefleshlive.""

Barabbas,therobber,wassetatliberty.

Theultimatumofallhumandecreesandwisdomistogratifythepassionsofthefleshattheexpenseofthespirit.

Theprophetsandthosewhohavestoodnearestthefountainofuniversalknowledgeuseddreamswithmorefrequencythananyothermodeofdivination.

Profane,aswellassacred,historyisthreadedwithincidentsofdreamprophecy.AncienthistoryrelatesthatGennadiuswasconvincedoftheimmortalityofhissoulbyconversingwithanapparitioninhisdream.

ThroughthedreamofCeciliaMetella,thewifeofaConsul,theRomanSenatewasinducedtoorderthetempleofJunoSospitarebuilt.

TheEmperorMarciandreamedhesawthebowoftheHunnishconquerorbreakonthesamenightthatAttiladied.

PlutarchrelateshowAugustus,whileill,throughthedreamofafriend,waspersuadedtoleavehistent,whichafewhoursafterwascapturedbytheenemy,andthebedwhereonhehadlainwaspiercedwiththeenemies"swords.

IfJuliusCaesarhadbeenlessincredulousaboutdreamshewouldhavelistenedtothewarningwhichCalpurnia,hiswife,receivedinadream.

Croesussawhissonkilledinadream.

PetrarchsawhisbelovedLaura,inadream,onthedayshedied,afterwhichhewrotehisbeautifulpoem,``TheTriumphofDeath.""

CicerorelatesthestoryoftwotravelingArcadianswhowenttodifferentlodgings——onetoaninn,andtheothertoaprivatehouse.

Duringthenightthelatterdreamedthathisfriendwasbeggingforhelp.

Thedreamerawoke;but,thinkingthematterunworthyofnotice,wenttosleepagain.Thesecondtimehedreamedhisfriendappeared,sayingitwouldbetoolate,forhehadalreadybeenmurderedandhisbodyhidinacart,undermanure.Thecartwasafterwardsoughtforandthebodyfound.

Ciceroalsowrote,``Ifthegodslovementheywillcertainlydisclosetheirpurposestotheminsleep.""

Chrysippuswroteavolumeondreamsasdivineportent.

Hereferstotheskilledinterpretationsofdreamsasatruedivination;

butaddsthat,likeallotherartsinwhichmenhavetoproceedonconjectureandonartificialrules,itisnotinfallible.

Platoconcurredinthegeneralideaprevailinginhisday,thatthereweredivinemanifestationstothesoulinsleep.

Condorcetthoughtandwrotewithgreaterfluencyinhisdreamsthaninwakinglife.

Tartini,adistinguishedviolinist,composedhis``Devil"sSonata""

undertheinspirationofadream.Coleridge,throughdreaminfluence,composedhis``KublaKhan.""

ThewritersofGreekandLatinclassicsrelatemanyinstancesofdreamexperiences.Homeraccordedtosomedreamsdivineorigin.

Duringthethirdandfourthcenturies,thesupernaturaloriginofdreamswassogenerallyacceptedthatthefathers,relyingupontheclassicsandtheBibleasauthority,madethisbeliefadoctrineoftheChristianChurch.

Synesiusplaceddreamingaboveallmethodsofdiviningthefuture;

hethoughtitthesurest,andopentothepoorandrichalike.

Aristotlewrote:``Thereisadivinationconcerningsomethingsindreamsnotincredible.""CamilleFlammarion,inhisgreatbookon``PremonitoryDreamsandDivinationoftheFuture,""says:

``Idonothesitatetoaffirmattheoutsetthatoccurrenceofdreamsforetellingfutureeventswithaccuracymustbeacceptedascertain.""

JoanofArcpredictedherdeath.

Cazotte,theFrenchphilosopherandtranscendentalist,warnedCondorcetagainstthemannerofhisdeath.

Peopledreamnow,thesameastheydidinmedievalandancienttimes.

Thefollowingexcerptfrom``TheUnknown,""[1]arecentbookbyFlammarion,theFrenchastronomer,supplementedwithafewofmyownthoughtsandcollections,willanswerthepurposesintendedforthisbook.

[1]``From`TheUnknown."PublishedbyHarper&BrothersCopyright,1900,byCamilleFlammarion.""

``Wemayseewithouteyesandhearwithoutears,notbyunnaturalexcitementofoursenseofvisionorofhearing,fortheseaccountsprovethecontrary,butbysomeinteriorsense,psychicandmental.

``Thesoul,byitsinteriorvision,mayseenotonlywhatispassingatagreatdistance,butitmayalsoknowinadvancewhatistohappeninthefuture.Thefutureexistspotentially,determinedbycauseswhichbringtopasssuccessiveevents.

``POSITIVEOBSERVATIONPROVESTHEEXISTENCEOFAPSYCHICWORLD,asrealastheworldknowntoourphysicalsenses.

``Andnow,becausethesoulactsatadistancebysomepowerthatbelongstoit,areweauthorizedtoconcludethatitexistsassomethingreal,andthatitisnottheresultoffunctionsofthebrain?

``Doeslightreallyexist?

``Doesheatexist?

``Doessoundexist?

``No.

``Theyareonlymanifestationsproducedbymovement.

``Whatwecalllightisasensationproduceduponouropticnervebythevibrationsofether,comprisingbetween400and756trillionspersecond,undulationsthatarethemselvesveryobscure.

``Whatwecallheatisasensationproducedbyvibrationsbetween350

andand{sic}600trillions.

``Thesunlightsupspace,asmuchatmidnightasatmidday.

Itstemperatureisnearly270degreesbelowzero.

``Whatwecallsoundisasensationproduceduponourauditorynervebysilentvibrationsoftheair,themselvescomprisingbetween32,000

and36,000asecond

``Verymanyscientifictermsrepresentonlyresults,notcauses.

``Thesoulmaybeinthesamecase.

``Theobservationsgiveninthiswork,thesensations,theimpressions,thevisions,thingsheard,etc.,mayindicatephysicaleffectsproducedwithoutthebrain.

``Yes,nodoubt,butitdoesnotseemso.

``Letusexamineoneinstance.

``Turnbacktopage156.@@@

``Ayoungwoman,adoredbyherhusband,diesatMoscow.Herfather-in-law,atPulkowo,nearSt.Petersburg,sawherthatsamehourbyhisside.

Shewalkedwithhimalongthestreet;thenshedisappeared.

Surprised,startled,andterrified,hetelegraphedtohisson,andlearnedboththesicknessandthedeathofhisdaughter-in-law.

``WeareabsolutelyobligedtoadmitthatSOMETHINGemanatedfromthedyingwomanandtouchedherfather-in-law.This_thingunknown_mayhavebeenanetherealmovement,asinthecaseoflight,andmayhavebeenonlyaneffect,aproduct,aresult;butthiseffectmusthavehadacause,andthiscauseevidentlyproceededfromthewomanwhowasdying.

Cantheconstitutionofthebrainexplainthisprojection?

Idonotthinkthatanyanatomistorphysiologistwillgivethisquestionanaffirmativeanswer.Onefeelsthatthereisaforceunknown,proceeding,notfromourphysicalorganization,butfromthatinuswhichcanthink.

``Takeanotherexample(seepage57).@@@

``Aladyinherownhousehearsavoicesinging.

Itisthevoiceofafriendnowinaconvent,andshefaints,becausesheissureitisthevoiceofthedead.

Atthesamemomentthatfrienddoesreallydie,twentymilesawayfromher.

``Doesnotthisgiveustheimpressionthatonesoulholdscommunicationwithanother?

``Hereisanotherexample(page163):@@@

``ThewifeofacaptainwhohasgoneouttotheIndianmutinyseesonenightherhusbandstandingbeforeherwithhishandspressedtohisbreast,andalookofsufferingonhisface.Theagitationthatshefeelsconvincesherthatheiseitherkilledorbadlywounded.ItwasNovember14th.

TheWarOfficesubsequentlypublisheshisdeathashavingtakenplaceonNovember15th.Sheendeavorstohavethetruedateascertained.

TheWarOfficewaswrong.Hediedonthe14th.

``Achildsixyearsoldstopsinthemiddleofhisplayandcriesout,frightened:``Mamma,IhaveseenMamma.""Atthatmomenthismotherwasdyingfarawayfromhim(page124).@@@

``Ayounggirlataballstopsshortinthemiddleofadanceandcries,burstingintotears.`Myfatherisdead;Ihavejustseenhim."

Atthatmomentherfatherdied.Shedidnotevenknowhewasill.

``Allthesethingspresentthemselvestousasindicatingnotphysiologicaloperationsofonebrainactingonanother,butpsychicactionsofspirituponspirit.Wefeelthattheyindicatetoussomepowerunknown.

``Nodoubtitisdifficulttoapportionwhatbelongstothespirit,thesoul,andwhatbelongstothebrain.Wecanonlyletourselvesbeguidedinourjudgmentandourappreciationsbythesamefeelingthatiscreatedinusbythediscussionofphenomena.

Thisishowallsciencehasbeenstarted.Well,anddoesnoteveryonefeelthatwehaveheretodowithmanifestationsfrombeingscapableofthought,andnotwithmaterialphysiologicalfactsonly?

``Thisimpressionissuperabundantlyconfirmedbyinvestigationconcerningtheunknownfacultiesofthesoul,whenactiveindreamsandsomnambulism.

``Abrotherlearnsthedeathofhisyoungsisterbyaterriblenightmare.

``Ayounggirlseesbeforehand,inadream,themanwhomshewillmarry.

``Amotherseesherchildlyinginaroad,coveredwithblood.

``Aladygoes,inadream,tovisitherhusbandonadistantsteamer,andherhusbandreallyreceivesthisvisit,whichisseenbyathirdperson.

``Amagnetizedladyseesanddescribestheinteriorofthebodyofherdyingmother;whatshesaidisconfirmedbytheautopsy.

``Agentlemansees,inadream,aladywhomheknowsarrivingatnightinarailroadstation,herjourneyhavingbeenundertakensuddenly.

``Amagistrateseesthreeyearsinadvancethecommissionofacrime,downtoitssmallestdetails.

``Severalpersonsreportthattheyhaveseentownsandlandscapesbeforetheyevervisitedthem,andhaveseenthemselvesinsituationsinwhichtheyfoundthemselveslongafter.

``Amotherhearsherdaughterannounceherintendedmarriagesixmonthsbeforeithasbeenthoughtof.

``Frequentcasesofdeathareforetoldwithprecision.

``Atheftisseenbyasomnambulist,andtheexecutionofthecriminalisforetold.

``Ayounggirlseesherfiance",oranintimatefrienddying(thesearefrequentcases),etc.

``Alltheseshowunknownfacultiesinthesoul.Suchatleastismyownimpression.Itseemstomethatwecannotreasonablyattributetheprevisionofthefutureandmentalsighttoanervousactionofthebrain.

``Ithinkwemusteitherdenythesefactsoradmitthattheymusthavehadanintellectualandspiritualcauseofthepsychicorder,andIrecommendscepticswhodonotdesiretobeconvinced,todenythemoutright;totreatthemasillusionsandcasesofafortuitouscoincidenceofcircumstances.Theywillfindthiseasier.

Uncompromisingdeniersoffacts,rebelsagainstevidence,maybeallthemorepositive,andmaydeclarethatthewritersoftheseextraordinarynarrativesarepersonsfondofajoke,whohavewrittenthemtohoaxme,andthattherehavebeenpersonsinallageswhohavedonethesamethingtomystifythinkerswhohavetakenupsuchquestions.

``Thesephenomenaprove,Ithink,thatthesoulexists,andthatitisendowedwithfacultiesatpresentunknown.

Thatisthelogicalwayofcommencingourstudy,whichintheendmayleadustotheproblemoftheafter-lifeandimmortality.

Athoughtcanbetransmittedtothemindofanother.

Therearementaltransmissions,communicationsofthoughts,andpsychiccurrentsbetweenhumansouls.Spaceappearstobenoobstacleinthesecases,andtimesometimesseemstobeannihilated.""

AfewyearsagoapersonwhomIwilldesignateas``A""relatedadreamtomeasfollows:``Itakenointerestinpugilismorpugilists,butIsaw,inadream,everydetailoftheCorbettandFitzsimmonsmill,fourdaysbeforeittookplaceoutWest.TwonightsbeforethefightI

hadaseconddreaminwhichafavoritehorsewasrunning,butsuddenly,justbeforethejudge"sstandwaspassed,ahithertounobservedlittleblackhorseranaheadandthecrowdshoutedinmyears,`Fitzsimmonswins!"""

``B""relatesthefollowingasadream:``IsawtheAmericansoldiers,inclay-coloreduniform,bearingtheflagofvictorytwoweeksbeforetheSpanish-Americanwarwasdeclared,andofcoursebeforeanylivingbeingcouldhaveknowntheuniformtobeadopted.

LaterIsaw,severaldaysbeforetheactualoccurrencehappened,thedestructionofCervera"sfleetbytheAmericannavy.""

Signed``B.""

``JustaftertheSouthAfricanhostilitiesbegan,IsawinadreamafiercestrugglebetweentheBritishandBoers,inwhichtheformersufferedseverelosses.AfewnightsafterIhadaseconddreaminwhichIsawthecontendingforcesinalong-drawncontest,verydisastroustoboth,andinwhichneithercouldclaimavictory.

Theyseemedtobefightingtoafrazzle.""Signed``C.""

``D""relatedtomeatthetimeoftheoccurrenceofthedreamthefollowing:

``Ithadbeensuggestedtomethatthetwocereals,cornandwheat,weretoofarapart,andthatIoughttobuycorn.AtnoonIlaydownonaloungetoawaitluncheon;Ihadbarelyclosedmyeyesbeforeavoicewhispered:

`Don"tbuy,butsellthatcorn."`Whatdoyoumean?"Iasked.

`Sellatthepresentprice,andbuyat237/8."""Theforegoingdreamwasrelatedtomebyapractical,successfulbusinessmanwhoneverspeculates.

Iwatchedthecornmarketandknowittooktheturnsindicatedinthedream.

Inthisdreamwefindthedreamerconversingwithsomestrangeintelligencepossessedofknowledgeunknowntoobjectivereason.

Itcouldnot,therefore,havebeenthewakingthoughtsofthedreamer,forhepossessednosuchinformation.

Wasthemessagesuperinducedthroughtheenergiesandactivitiesofthewakingmindonthesubjectivemind?

Thiscouldnothavebeen,becausehehadnosuchthoughts;

besides,theintelligencegivenwasfreefromtheerrorsofthecalculatingandanxiouswakingmind.

Wemustthereforelooktoothersourcesforanexplanation.WasitthehigherselfthatmanifestedtoAbrahaminthedimagesoftheworld?

WasittheDivineVoicethatgavesolacetoKrishnainhisabstraction?

WasittheunerringlightthatprecededGautamaintothestrangesolitudesofAsia?WasitthesmallvoicethatElijahheardinthedesertofShurr?WasittheComforterofJesusinthewildernessandthegardenofdistress?Or,wasitPaul"sindwellingspiritofthisearthlytabernacle?

Onethingwemaytruthfullyaffirm——thatitdidnotproceedfromtherational,objectivemindoftherankmaterialist,whowouldclosealldoorstothatinnerlifeandconsciousnesswherealltruereligionfindsitsbirthmark,itshope,itspromisesanditsfaith;which,rightlyunderstood,willleavetothehorrorsoftheRomancrucifixionthetwinthieves,superstitionandscepticism,whiletheangelof``Goodwill""willgofreetosolacetheworldwiththefruitandfragranceofenduringpowerandpromise{.}Thesteelchainsthatfastenthesehydra-headedcrocodilesofsensuouspoisonaroundloveanddestinycanonlybeseveredbythediamondofwisdomandknowledge.

Acitizenworthyofconfidencerelatesthefollowingdream:

``InDecember,1878,Isawinadreammybrother-in-law,HenryYarnell,sufferingfromabloodyknifewound;afterthisIawoke,butsoonfellasleepagain.ThesecondtimeIdreamedofasimilarscene,exceptthatthewoundwastheresultofashotgun.AfterthisI

didnotgotosleepagain.Iwasmuchtroubledaboutmydream,andsoonstartedinthedirectionofmybrother-in-law"shouse.

Ihadnotgonefar,whenImetanacquaintancewhopromptlyinformedmethatmybrother-in-lawhadbeenshot.""Signed``E.""

Awell-knownresidentofChattanooga,Tenn.,formerlyofNewYorkCity,willvouchfortheaccuracyofthefollowingincidentinhislife:

``OnFebruary19,1878,IwasboardingwithafamilyonChristopherstreet,NewYork,whilemywifeandbabywerevisitingmyparentsinthecountry,ashortdistancefromthecity.Ourbabywastakensick.

Themaladydevelopedintobrainfever,followedbywateronthebrain,causingthelittleone"sdeath.

``Atourboarding-placetherewasatthetimeaquartetteofusgrasswidowers,aswecalledourselves,andinordertopassawaythetimepleasantlywehadorganizeda`grasswidowers"euchreclub."

Weusedtomeetalmosteveryeveningafterdinnerinthedining-room,andplayuntilabouteleveno"clock,whenwewouldretire.

OntheabovedateIdreamedthatafterplayingourusualeveninggameswetookourdepartureforourrooms,andonthewayupthesecondflightofstairsIheardaslightmovementbehindme;

onlookingaroundIfoundIwasbeingfollowedbyatallfigurerobedinalong,loosewhitegown,whichcamedowntothefloor.

Thefigureseemedtobethatofaman——Iwouldsay,aboutsevenfeettall——whofollowedmeupthesecondflightandalongthehallway,enteringmyroom.Aftercominginthedoorhemadeacircleoftheroomandseemedtobelookingforsomething,andwhenheapproachedthedoortomakehisexithestoppedstill,andwithagestureofhishandremarked,`Ihavetakenallyouhave."

Onthefollowingmorning,about9:30o"clock,Ireceivedatelegramfrommywifeannouncingthedeathofouronlybaby.""Signed``F.""

Awell-knowncitizenofChattanooga,Tenn.,relatesandvouchesforthetruthofthefollowingoccurrence:

``Severalyearsago,whenaboy,Ihadaschoolmateandfriend,WillieT.,betweenwhomandmyselftheresprungupamutualfeelingofhighregard.

Wewerechumsinthesensethatwewerealmostconstantlytogether,bothatschoolandathome,andamongthepartnershipsweformedwasoneofhavingamateurshadowgraphandpanoramicshowsinthebasementofWillie"shome.

Thismuchtoshowthementalandsocialrelationshipthatexistedbetweenus.

Sometimeduringthisassociation(Icannotrecalltheexactnightnow)

Ihadastrangedream,inwhichmychumappearedtomewithoutstretchedhand,askingmetoshake,saying,`Ishallnotseeyouanymore."Withthat,thedreamlapsedandwasover.Ithoughtnothingoftheoccurrence,andhadalmostforgottenit,whenoneday,aboutaweeklater,duringwhichtimeIhadnothadaglimpseofmychum,whilehewasouthuntingwithanotherfriend,W.McC.,infollowinghimoverarailfence,thelatter"sgunwasaccidentallydischargedinWillie"sfaceandneck,resultingininstantdeath.

WiththisshockingnewsthememoryofthedreamIhadhadcamebacktomevividlyandpuzzledmeverygreatly,andindeedhaspuzzledmetothisday.""

Signed``G.""

Therecipientsoftheabovedreamsarelivingto-dayandtheirnamesandaddressmaybeobtained,noneofthemarecredulousfanaticsorpredisposedtoabeliefinpsychicorspiritphenomena.

Theabovedreams,excepttwo,cannotbeexplainedbytelepathy,becausethementalpicturecastonthedreammindhadnotineitherinstancetakenplaceinwakinglife.Thiswouldaccountforthedreamperceptionof``D,""whichdidnot,inallprobability,takeplaceuntilafterthemurderhadbeencommitted.

Thevisionof``F""mightbedisposedofinthesameway.

Inthisinstance``F""sawthewhite-robedspecteropenthedoor,walkaroundtheroomandfinally,takinghispositionasiftodepart,say:``Ihavetakenallyouhave.""Nodoubtthisvisiontookplaceattheexactmomentofthechild"sdeath.

Therearethousandsofsimilarexperiencesoccurringdailyinthelivesofhonest,healthyandsanehumanbeings,thatrivalthepsychicmanifestationsofIndianYogismorHebrewrecords.

Stillmengoondoubtingthistrueandlovingsubjectiveintelligencethatisconstantlywooingforentranceintothesoulandisevervigilantinwarningthemateriallifeofapproachingevils.

TheyprefertheWitchofEndor,andtheBlackMagiciansofancientEgypttothehigher,orChristself,thathasbeenseenandheardbythesagesandsaintsofallages,assumingappropriatesymbols,asinthecaseofthevisionof``F,""wheretheangelofdeathwasassumed.

ToPaulitappearedasagreatpersonaltruthwhomhewasrelentlesslypersecuting.Tomanyawaywardsonordaughterofthepresenttime,itappearsasadeadrelativeorfriend,inordertoapproachthematerialmindandmakeitswarningmoreeffective.

TothosewhowereinterestedintheteachingsofChrist,butwhoafterhisdeathwereinclinedtodoubthim,thishigherselfmaterializedintheformoftheGreatMasterinordertoimpressontheirmaterialmindsthespiritualimportofhisteachings.So,tothisday,whendoubtandtemptationmarthemoralinstinct,God,throughthespiritualself,asJobsays,approachesmanwhileindeepsleepuponthebedtoimpresshisinstructionsthathemaychangemanfromhispurpose.

Thespiritualworldalwaysfixesitsorbituponastraightline,whilethematerialworldisfonderofcurves.

Wefindmanstrugglingthroughdreadfulmarshesanddesertsofcharlatanisminordertogetaglimpseintohisfuture,insteadofsolicitouslyfollowingthestraightlineofinnerconsciousnessthatconnectswiththeinfinitemind,fromwhich,aidedbyhisChurchandthehealthyactionofhisownjudgment,hemayreceivethosehelpfulspiritualimpressionsandmessagesnecessarytosolacethelongingsofthesearchingsoul.

ThephilosophyoftheTrueMasteristhestraightline.

Pythagoras,PlatoandChristcreatedanglesbyrunningverticallinesthroughtheecclesiasticalandhypocriticalconventionalitiesoftheirday.

ThenewanglesandcurvesthusproducedbytheboldphilosophyofthehumbleNazarenehaveconfrontedwithimpregnablefirmnessduringtheinterveningagesthesophistryofthePharisees.

``Inadream,inavisionofthenight,whendeepsleepfallethuponmen,inslumberingsuponthebed;thenheopeneththeearsofmenandsealeththeirinstruction.Thathemaywithdrawmanfromhispurposeandhidepridefromman.""——JOB33:15.

``MancannotcontradictthelawsofNature.But,areallthelawsofNatureyetunderstood?""

``Realphilosophyseeksrathertosolvethantodeny.""——LYTTON.

Thosewholiveactivelivesexcludespiritualthoughtandfilltheirmindswiththefascinationsofworldlyaffairs,pleasureandbusiness,dreamwithlessfrequencythanthosewhoregardobjectivematterswithlighterconcern.

Theformerdependaloneuponthevoluptuouswarmthoftheworldforcontentment;theylooktomoney,thepresenceofsomeone,ortootherexternalsourcesforhappiness,andareoftendisappointed;

whilethelatter,withajustappreciationoftemporalwants,dependaloneupontheinnerconsciousnessforthatpeacewhichpassethallcarnalunderstanding.

Theyarestrengthened,aswereBuddhaandChrist,bysuppressingthesensualfiresforfortydaysandnightsinthewildernessoftrialandtemptation.Theynumberafew,andareneverdisappointed,whiletheformernumbermillions.

Natureisthree-fold,soisman;maleandfemale,sonorsoul.

Theunionofoneandtwoproducethetriadorthetrinitywhichunderliesthephilosophyoftheancients.

Manhasaphysicalorvisiblebody,anatomofthephysicalorvisibleearth.

Hehasasoultheexactcounterpartofhisbody,butinvisibleandsubjective;

incompleteandimperfectastheexternalman,or_viceversa_.

Thesoulisnotonlythesonorcreationofman,butitistherealman.

Itistheinnerimperishabledoubleorimprintofwhathasoutwardlyandinwardlytranspired.Allthoughts,desiresandactionsenterthesoulthroughtheobjectivemind.

Theautomatonofthebodyrespondsasquicklytothebatoftheeyeasitdoestothemovementofthewholebody.

Byitthefoot-stepsofmanandtheveryhairsofhisheadarenumbered.

Thusitbecomeshisinvisiblecounterpart.Itisthereforethebookoflifeordeath,andbyithejudgeshimselforisalreadyjudged.

Whenitiscompletenothingcanbeaddedortakenfromitspersonnel.

Itissometimespartlyopenedtohiminhisdreams,butindeathisclearlyrevealed.

Manhasalsoaspiritualbody,subjectiveto,andmoreetherealthanthesoul.Itisaninfinitesimalatom,andisrelatedinsubstancetothespiritualorinfinitemindoftheuniverse.

Justasthegreatphysicalsun,thecenterofvisiblelight,lifeandheat,isstrivingtopurifythefoulmiasmaofthemarshandsenditsluminousmessagesofloveintothedarkcrevicesoftheearth,sotheGreatSpiritualSun,ofwhichtheformerisavisibleprototypeorreflection,isstrivingtoilluminatewithDivineWisdomthepersonalsoulandmindofman,thusenablinghimtobecomecognizantofthespiritualorChristpresencewithin.

TheheresyandHerodofwantonflesh,degeneratevictimofthesensuousfilthandfermentationofself-indulgence,iseverstrivingtoexileandsuppress,fromthewildernessofsin,thewarningcryoftheNazaritevoicebyintriguingwiththecunning,incestuousdaughtersofunholythoughtsanddesires.

Theobjectivemindismostactivewhenthebodyisawake.

Thesubjectiveinfluencesaremostactive,andoftenfillthemindwithimpressions,whilethephysicalbodyisasleep.

Thespiritualintelligencecanonlyintrudeitselfwhenthehumanwillissuspended,orpassivetoexternalstates.

Amanwholivesonlyonthesensualplanewillreceivehisknowledgethroughthesenses,andwillnot,whileinthatstate,receivespiritualimpressionsorwarningdreams.

Menandwomenrarelyeverdegradethemselvessolowthatthesmallvoiceofthedesertdoesnotbringthemamessage.

SodomandGomorrah,vilewiththedebaucheryofanamelesscrime,werenotdesertedbytheangelofloveuntilthefirewhichtheyhadlightedintheirsoulshadconsumedthem.

ThewallsofJerichodidnotfalluntilRahab,theharlot,hadbeensavedandtheinmateshadheardforseveraldaystheram"s-hornandthetrampofJoshua"sinfantry.

TheevangelistJonah,theSamJonesofHebrewtheology,exhortedtheadulterousNinevehmanytimestorepentancebeforeitfell.

David,whileintoxicatedwiththewineoflove,fromlanguishingintheseductiveembraceofthebeautifulbathingnymph,Bathsheba,heardthevoiceofNathan.SurelyGodisnorespecterofpersons,andwillspeaktoallclassesifthepeoplewillnotstiffentheirnecksorhardentheirhearts.

Womendreammoreoftenandmorevividlythanmen,becausetheirdreamcompositionislessinfluencedandalliedtoexternalenvironments.

Alldreamspossessanelementofwarningorprescience;

somemorethanothers.Thisisunknowntothemany,butisknowntotheobservingfew.Therearemanypeoplewhohavenonaturaltasteformusic,andwhodonotknowonenotefromanother.

Therearealsothosewhocannotdistinguishonecolorfromanother.

Totheformerthereisnoharmonyofsound,andtothelatterthereisnoblendingofcolors.

Theyareheardandseen,butthereisnoartisticrecognitionofthesame.

Stillitwouldbeabsurdtosaytoeitherthemusicianortheartist:

yourartisfalseandisonlyanillusionofthesenses.

Onemanapparentlyneverdreams;anotherdreamsoccasionally,andstillanothermorefrequently;noneatttempt{sic}tointerprettheirdream,ortoobservewhatfollows;therefore,theverdictis,``Thereisnothingindreams.""(Schopenhaueraptlysays:

``NomancanseeoverhisownheightIntellectisinvisibletothemanwhohasnone."")Thefirstisliketheblindmanwhodeniestheexistenceoflight,becausehedoesnotperceiveit.

Thesecondandthirdresemblethecolor-blindman,whoseesbutwhopersistsincallinggreenblue,and_viceversa_.

Afourthmanseesinadreamafriendwalkinginhisroom;

thevisionissovividheinstantlygetsupandstrikesamatch.

Aftermakingsurethereisnointruderabouttheroomhelooksathiswatchandgoesbacktobed.Thenextdayhereceivestheunwelcometidingsthathisfrienddiedattheexactmomentofthevision.

Atanothertimehehearsinhisdreamafamiliarvoicecryoutinagony.

Soonhehearsofashockingaccidentordistressingillnessbefallingtheonewhosevoiceherecognizedinthedream.[2]

[2]Forauthenticrecords,seeFlammarion"s``Unknown.""

Thethirdman,alreadyreferredto,hasaboutthesamedreamexperiences,butcallsthemstrangecoincidencesorunconsciouscerebration,etc.

Again,thefourthmandreamsofwalkingthroughgreenfieldsofcorn,grassorwheat.Henotesaftersuchdreamsprosperousconditionsfollowforatleastafewdays.Healsonotes,iftheareaoverwhichhepassesisinterspersedwithrocksorotheradversesigns,goodandbadfollowinthewakeofthedream.

Ifhesucceedsinclimbingamountainandfindsthetopbarrenhewillaccomplishhisobject,butthedealwillproveunprofitable.

Ifitisgreenandspring-likeinappearance,itwillyieldgoodresults.

Ifheseesmuddywater,sickness,businessdepressionorcausesforjealousymaydevelop.

Anightmaresuggeststothedreamertobecarefulofhealthanddiet,torelaxhiswholebody,tosleepwithhisarmsdownandkeepplentyoffreshairintheroom.

Hesumsuptheforegoingwithathousandsimilardreamincidents,andisledtobelievecertaindreamspossessanelementofwarning.

Therearethreepuretypesofdreams,namely,_subjective_,_physical_and_spiritual_.Theyrelatetothepast,presentandfuture,andareinfluencedbypastorsubjective,physicalandspiritualcauses.Thelatterisalwaysdeeplyprophetic,especiallywhenitleavesavividimpressionontheconsciousmind.

Theformer,too,possessesanelementofwarningandprophecy,thoughthetruemeaningishiddeninsymbolsorallegory.

Theyareduetocontingentmentalpicturesofthepastfallingupontheconsciousmindofthedreamer.

Thusheisbackattheoldhome,andfindsmotherpaleandaged,orruddyandhealthy,andthelawnwitheredorgreen.

Itallaugurs,accordingtotheaspectthepictureassumes,illorgoodfortune.

Physicaldreamsaremoreorlessunimportant.Theyareusuallysuperinducedbytheanxiouswakingmind,andwhenthisissotheypossessnopropheticsignificance.

Dreamsinducedbyopiates,fevers,mesmerismandillhealthcomeunderthisclass.Amanwhogamblesisliabletodreamofcards;ifhedreamsofthemindeepsleepthewarningistobeheeded;butifitcomesasareveriewhilehesleepslightlyheshouldregarditasworthless.

Suchdreamsreflectonlythepresentconditionofthebodyandmindofthedreamer;butasthepastandpresententerintoshapingthefuture,thereflectionsthusleftonthewakingmindshouldnotgobyunheeded.

Weoftenobservemattersofdressandexteriorappearancethroughmirrors,andwesoonmakethenecessaryalterationstoputourbodiesinharmonywithexistingformalities.Then,whynotstudymoreseriouslythementalimagesreflectedfromthemirrorofthesouluponourmindsthroughtheoccultprocesseswithinus?

Thirdly,thespiritualdreamsarebroughtaboutbythehigherselfpenetratingthesoulrealm,andreflectinguponthewakingmindapproachingevents.

Whenweputouranimalmindandsoulinharmonywithourhigherselfwebecomeonewithit,and,therefore,onewiththeuniversalmindorwillbybecomingapartofit.Itisthroughthehigherselfwereachtheinfinite.

Itisthroughthelowerselfwefallintothewhirlpoolofmatter.

Thesedreamsareapartoftheuniversalminduntiltheytranspireinthelifeofman.Afterthistheygotomakeapartofthepersonalsoul.Whateverhasnottakenplaceinthemind,orlifeofman,belongsexclusivelytotheimpersonalmind.

Butassoonasamanlivesorseesathing,thatthinginstantlybecomesapartofhissoul;hence,theclairvoyant,ormindreader,neverperceivesbeyondthepersonalego,asthefuturebelongsexclusivelytoGodortheuniversalmind,andhasnomaterial,subjectiveexistence;therefore,itcannotbeknownexceptthroughthechannelsofthehigherself,whichistheTruthortheWordthatisconstantlystrivingtomanifestitselfthroughtheflesh.

Ourpsychicalresearchpeoplegiveusconclusiveproofofmentaltelepathyortelegraphybetweenfiniteminds.Thuscommunicationsorimpressionsareconveyedmanymilesfromonemindtoanother.

Thisphenomenoniseasierwhenoneorbothofthesubjectsareinastateofsomnambulenceorasleep.

Inthoughttransferenceormindreadingitisabsolutelynecessarytohaveapositiveandanegativesubject.

Throughthesamelawthatmentalimpressionsaretelegraphedfromonefinitemindtoanotheramanmayplacehimselfinharmonywiththeinfinitemindandthusreceivetrueandhealthfulwarningsofcomingevilorgood.Homer,Aristotleandotherwritersoftheancientclassicsthoughtthisnotimprobable.

Thestatesman,thepoet,thephilosopheroftheBiblewereunanimousinattachingpropheticsignificancetodreams.

Hasthelawofetherealvibrationsundergoneanyrecentchangestodebarormolestthecommunionofthesoulwithitsspiritualfather,anymorethanithasdebarredcontactwithitsmaterialmotherorenvironments?

Weonlyunderstandthegreatlawsofnaturebyeffects.

Weknowthatvegetationplantedinnativesoilandproperlyattendedwithlight,heatandmoisture,willgrowandyieldacertainspeciesoffruit.Wemayinferhowitdoesthis,butwecannotexplaintheprocessoftransformationanymorethanwecanexplainwhycertaintropicalbirdsareburnishedwithglowingcolors,andthatotherbirdsunderthemurkyskiesaregrayandbrown,whileintheArcticregionstheybleach.

Insleepwesee,withoutbeingawakened,theangrylightningrendthemidnightclouds,andheartheexplosivethunderhurlitsfuryatus;

butcanweexplainitanymorethanourscientistcanexplainthenaturalforcesofthought,ofloveandhate,orthesubtleintuitionofwoman?

WhatofthesilhouetteortheanthelionoftheScandinavianAlps,andtheaerialcitiessooftenseenbyexplorersandtravelers?

Donottheydefythelawofoptics?Mustweunderstandtheintricaciesofarticulationandtheforcesbackofitbeforewecanappropriatespeech?

Mustwediscardallbeliefinaninfinitemindbecausewecannotunderstandit,andthereforesaywearenotapartofitbecausethereisnoInfinite?Shouldwediscardthebeliefintheinfinitudeofnumber,becausewecannotunderstandit,andthereforesaythatfinitenumberisnotapartoftheinfinite?

Noscientistornaturalistissogrosslystupidastodenytheinfiniteexpansionofnumbers?Ifthisbeso,itestablishestheinfiniteofnumber,ofwhicheveryfinitenumberisapart,andthuswehaveaparallelinmathematics,theverycornerstoneoftheexactsciences,forafiniteandaninfinitemind.

Itisfromtheprototypeofthisinfiniteofnumber,namely,theinfiniteofintelligence,thatspiritualdreamsproceed.

Theyare,therefore,thereflectionoftruthuponthedreammindandoccurwithlessfrequencythandodreamsoftheothertwoclasses.

Therearealsomixeddreams,duetoamultitudeofincidentsarisingfromoneormoresources,whichbeingreflecteduponthemindatthesameinstant,produceanincoherenteffectsimilartothatwhichmightbeproducedbyrunningthesamenewspaperthroughtwoormorepressesallofdifferentsizetype.

Again,ifyousitbeforeamirrorwhereflashlightsoffacesandotherthingsarereflectedsimultaneouslyandinstantlyremoved,youwillfailtoobtainawell-definedimpressionofwhatpassedbeforeyourmind.

Ifyoushouldpassonatrain,atthespeedoftwomilesaminute,throughaforestofflowersandtrees,yourmindwouldbeunabletodistinguishoneflowerortreefromanother.

Itisinasimilarwaydreamlifeandincidentsmayfalluponthemind.

Awomanmaydreamofreceivingaletter,andinthesameconnectionseemuddywater,oranaridlandscape.Closelyfollowing,inwakinglife,sheisastonishedtoreceivealetterinaboutthesamemannerofherdream,butthemuddywaterandthearidlandscapearemissing.

Thisisamixeddreamandisduetomorethanonecause.

Thefirstpartisliteralinitsfulfilment,andbelongstothespiritualclass;theotherpartofthedreamissubjective,andthereforeallegoricalinmeaning.Togetherwiththeletter,itwasaforewarningofmisfortune.

Thesedreamsaremoredifficultofinterpretationthanthosebelongingtothespiritualtype.Insuchdreamsyoumayseewater,letters,houses,money,people,andcountlessotherthings.

Thenextdayyoumaycrosswaterorreceivealetter;theotherthingsyoumaynotsee,butannoyanceorpleasurewillfollow.

Again,youmayhaveasimilardreamandnotreceivealetterorcrosswater,butthewakinglifewillbefilledwiththeotherdreampicturesandyouwillexperiencedisappointingorpleasantsurprisesasareindicatedbytheletterorwatersign.

Ihaveselectedtheallegoricaltypeofdreamsforthesubjectofthiswork.