I disagree with Dacher’s equation of dreams as an extension of the ceaseless mental chatter of the mind; Carl Jung believed that dreams are an expression of the subconscious and that we should heed our dreams. My experience with the loving-kindness exercise is more in tune with Jung.
The first few times I attempted the contemplation I was arrested in turning the loving kindness inward. It appears that it is easier for me to express loving kindness towards others than it is towards me. After two days I came to terms with this and immediately felt a release, and a smile that penetrated every cell in my body. Hey all, I am lovable!!!!
Back to Jung. I completed my contemplation last night right before I went to bed, this time able to extend my love to my self-ostracized sister, and the greater circle. I fell asleep enveloped in peace. I do not usually remember dreams but this one was very vivid. In it I saw a person I called friend 35 years ago. So thoroughly had this woman betrayed me that I was threatened physically as well as emotionally and equally thoroughly I had so erased her from my life that I have not thought about her in 34 years. In my dream she quietly approached my stopped car and handed me a thermos, she turned and slowly walked away. In the thermos was a consoling soup.
I take this experience as a message, either I have not forgiven her or she is seeking her own understanding and touching my reality by reaching into in my new found openness. In my waking loving-kindness experience this morning I made peace with this woman.
I found your experience very interesting. Why after all these years did you dream about this person? Maybe you were unaware of the suffering this person causes you. Now that you are focusing on suffering, your mind wanted to release your suffering. I believe that a lot of our dreams have to do with our human experiences and this is good example. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteJodi Geer
How wonderful! Another block from human flourishing has been removed! Mom always tells me anything we harbor, even if it is long forgotten, will halt our progression in spirituality. Perhaps somewhere in your subconscious you knew it was time to release this block. Or perhaps she is somewhere dealing with her on convictions concerning the altercation. Either way, it has happened and you are moving forward. I have long believed dreams may be unresolved issues or gentle touches from realms beyond our immediate reality.
ReplyDeleteGail, thank you so much for sharing your experience. As I read your experience I could feel that your subconscious mind was at work since there most likely was still some lingering resentment on either part to the incident from 24 years ago. Maybe it is time to reach out to this individual through a card, letter, or phone call if you still have a way of contacting her. It seems that you both need closure to the incident that happened so long ago. I believe the advice given to married couples applies here, "don't go to sleep when angry" however, we can say don't let your resentment linger since life is too short.
ReplyDeleteI find it wonderful and welcoming when my subconscious mind speaks to me in my dreams. I dream often and am always open to what they have to reveal to me. I believe that more people need to pay attention to their dreams.
Debra