第2章

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.

Keepthemindclearandasfreefrommaterialrubbishasispossibleandgotosleepinanegativecondition(thiswill,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.

****

Nature,incompoundingthematerialsforthecreationofthedeafman,inadvertentlydroppedtheingredientsound,hencemakinganimperfectbeing;

andsound,beingthusforeigntohisnature,hecanonlybeapproachedbysignsevenindreams.Subjectivityusesnature"sforces,whileanormalpersonusesdreamstoworkonhiswakingconsciousness.

Asitisimpossibletousewitheffectafactorwhichamandoesnotnaturallypossess,adeafmanrarelyeverdreamsofsound,orablindmanoflight.

****

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_.