Dream Analysis of the Week- Face the Music

Dream:

I dreamed that something was following me and yet also avoiding me.  I could see it in the eyes of a colleague who did not return my calls. I felt it in a man who did not wish to speak with me as he turned away and drove off in a truck that grew wings and flew.  I could sense it as I read newspaper headlines about local real estate developpers. Angry local women were protesting a court outcome.  I sensed the same thing vying for my attention everytime I picked up my phone to check email or social media.  It was like the itch that seemed to move to a different place in my body if I made a move to scratch it. Even when I resisted scratching, the sensation would be evoked by the external.  It was harder to tune in and feel this music in the sun.

Insight:

For some people, letting go is an idea, something very difficult to do.  We become very good at ignoring our gut. The ultimate goal is natural awareness.  At some point, you do not know how not to be aware. That is when everything is meditation. Awareness is all that is. At that stage, there is no period of starting and stopping meditation. Yet, in the beginning, steps of guidance, focused attention, going to a place at a particular time, control, are required to shift into, help us recall this state. An analogy can be seen as honesty and dishonesty play out in our own life experience. This is our process of shifting out of ego fear and into love.

Dreams that echo inner conflict point to the roots of unrecognized or unexplained anger, resentments or guilt. Part of you wants to see things for what they are in the present moment, accept and integrate what bothers you, yet fear, conditioning keep you in denial.  The only way to accept others is to fully accept ourselves first, including decoding our shadow.  What we think we reject in others often simply reflects what we judge or reject about ourselves.  Whatever you think you cannot accept, choose to avoid or "protest" about is actually inside you. Headlines echo the unconscious issues that cry out for your acceptance and conscious validation.

Dreams speak to us in a language of metaphors, symbols, images, and archetypes. These patterns we all recognize instinctively, as part of the collective mind. An example would be the idea of a good mother or an angel. Whether or not we had a good mother or ever saw an angel, we share common understanding that the mother of compassion who loves unconditionally and protects wholeheartedly does exist. This is an archetype. Although we all dream about different things, many patterns are universal. Dream images and events are not literal, but have archetypal resonance. Each dream aspect is unique to the dreamer but connects to the collective unconscious. It is here where insight and history of the universe is stored. We often access it during dreams.

The wings make reference to spiriituality. Humans are spiritual beings. We are comprised of both essence and matter. We take form as flesh and bone that encapsulates our purest self—the soul, our most authentic being. This part of us feels deep love and spontaneous joy. It is our elemental self lodged in trust and understanding. We were born into the world in this perfect and ethereal form and from that moment our humanness began to grow. As soon as we experienced pain, loss, or fear we began to develop the counterpart to the soul—our shadow. Our shadow consists of the qualities we repress, deny, or dislike in ourselves. It is the dark side of our personality. The shadow grows as we experience suffering and hardship in our human form. Each one of us is a hybrid blend of shadow and soul. We are both dark and light. Filled with fear and love. Brimming with confidence and saddled by doubt. We are a balance of what is seen and unseen.

In a woman, the soul is represented as masculine and the shadow is represented as feminine. The opposite is true for men whose soul is shown through a captivating, beautiful, and intriguing woman and whose shadow is portrayed as an ugly, destructive, violent or somehow undesirable man. When you are feeling connected, spiritual, your soul shows itself in. If it makes an appearance and leaves, this suggests you are distracted by or weighed down by your shadow. When we are overwrought with feelings of anger or fear, the shadow figure may dominate the dream space.  The multiple people living inside you are called personas.

 We offer Dream Consultations and dreamwork as part of our psychotherapy and coaching packages.  We also offer an Astral, Lucid & Dream Yoga Course.  Contact us for details.

Notice so often, many assume spiritual growth means achieving some extraordinary, other-worldly, blissed-out state where we are somehow transported out of where we are. This view leads us to constantly reach for the next spiritual high, focus on futures. Or we feel that with all our commitments, responsibilities we have few ways for developing our inner nature. Both of these views reflect an error in perception. Let's step back, take another look. 

In fact, our day-to-day experiences offer raw material for spiritual development. Conflicts that arise in our families and among colleagues, the pain of losing loved ones, or our resistance to paradigms, stories, events, do not prevent inner development. Rather, they point to our ignorance and all else that hinders us from knowing and embodying true nature. We must simply be willing to surrender to the process. We are each invited to meet situations that present with compassion. This is true nature. 

Many of us do not distinguish between true nature and our personality traits, particularly our less desirable traits. Thing is, we are not the body, mind, emotions, but spirit-soul. It is the nature of the untrained mind to want what it perceives as advantageous and resist what seems painful. Discovering how the heart and mind can work together allows us to move beyond resistance and start to know inner freedom. Every situation we create has potential to reveal our true nature.

At different stages, we can feel overwhelmed by life conditions or feel bound by past traumatic events. If and when this happens, we do not see things as they really are. They are just mind-states which can be known, seen as impermanent, do not belong to us. They do not define true nature. A spiritual practice can provide insight and discipline to explore our perceptions. We each must discover what is true for ourselves. Heresay does not cut it. We can each do this right where we are. There is no need to go to a monastery or get our life more together. The intensity of our will and fears is a catalyst that propels us to go down the rabbit hole.  We can choose how to see, reframe, respond to events that will lead us to a deeper relationship with true nature.

For many years, words by Viktor Frankl have inspired me. In his book, Man’s Search for Meaning wrote, “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

It is crucial to understand, from a spiritual perspective, that the pain and suffering with which we work is no less substantial, or less real or difficult than those others face. The constrictions of the heart and mind cannot be measured like so many pounds of pressure; they are energies we learn to feel, harness and guide us back to true nature. Funny, the quest to reconnect with true nature is often lost in ordinary life. To be wrapped up in the mundane causes us to forget the big picture.

Buddha teaches that true nature is obscured by veils of wanting, fear, and delusion (or ignorance). He urges us to look at nature of our mind systematically and observe how these three mind-states condition what we think and value, and how we behave. He teaches that to identify with these mind-states causes suffering.
If we are not our thoughts, then what is our true nature, how do we find it, and how do we live so that it may flourish?

Well, the true nature of love is not based on ego strategy, but on the sheer openness of one heart to another. This is the kind of heart-opening that provides us with courage to face what arises.

Buddha also echoes our true nature is emptiness- a lack of a permanent Self- and when this true nature is realized, the divine states of the Brahma-viharas – loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity- emerge. There is also a state of mind and heart known as bodhichitta that leads one to completely dedicate oneself to the liberation of all beings from suffering. In the teachings of the great yoga masters, our true nature is Brahman, the universal soul, of which the individual soul is simply a part. When this is realized there is satchidananda, the awareness of bliss, from the knowing that pure awareness is our ultimate nature.

At some stage, it dawns, feelings of true nature are real. What Buddha describes are actual states of mind- body that can be physically and emotionally felt as profound consciousness shifts. For some people, these changes in consciousness have a strong physical component or a marked shift in perception. Some of us experience dramatically altered states of being. Others know subtle shifts in clarity, emotional centeredness, spontaneous acts of kindness. Every moment the body and mind experience true nature may feel transcendent, and manifestation simply occurs without effort. To know a “soft heart” is to act with selfless compassion. This is dwelling in the divine aspect of true nature. The new normal can feel like a transcendent moment.

10 Tips to Facilitate Astral Travel

Many people are keen to learn more about astral travel.  A new series of online classes related to astral, lucid & OBE travel is offered in September.  In the meantime, consider 10 tips to prepare for astral travel:

1. Believe in yourself

Every human being can astral project, or to have an out-of-body experience (OBE). One does not have to master energy, be righteous, live into a cave or a mountain, or follow a specific diet.  You simply require genuine interest, and discipline. Believing in yourself frees your energetic space of interference.  Being optimistic and confident comes through in the power of intention.

2. Accept the non-physical

We are not alone. There are very well-intentioned beings who support our growth and progress. Some call them spirit guides, spirit helpers, angels, masters, energetic mentors.   They offer guidance and wisdom. We can ask for help even when to leave the body. Rest assured, they resonate wisdom, perspective and high integrity.  Accepting they exist is a step toward allowing ourselves to grow spiritually, motivates us to go further.

3. Relax the mind

To astral project, the monkey mind must be subdued.  Our thoughts must be cleared out enough to focus.  A busy mind interferes with the process of feeling lighter, keeps us very grounded to this dimension. If there is doubt, fear, hesitation, this will prevent us from relaxing.  Deep breathing, and different breathwork are strategies which can help reduce distracting thoughts.

4. Control emotions

We are complex emotional beings. Still, how we respond to the external affects our ability to focus and project. To have an OBE, emotions must be balanced. While projected, if we get startled, or too emotional, this will interrupt our experience. We simply return to the body. The thought we hold is our path and destination.  Notice how you typically manage emotions.  Are you easily angered? Often depressed or fearful?  Ecstatic for small things? Feel mostly emotionally- balanced or on edge? Our emotional state directly effects our energy.

5. Be aware of your energy

All living beings have an energetic component and it plays a key role in our ability to astral project.  This system must also have a certain balance before we can go beyond our physical body. Our emotions affect our energetic condition. If we constantly know highs and lows, our energies reflect this. Our daily mental state and psyche affect this system, as well as interactions with people, places, ideas, thoughts and intentions. By being mindful of our energetic interactions, mental and emotional states, we can find balance.

6. Be More Fearless

This may be easier said than done. People are taught to fear the unknown. There is a fear of not coming back or someone else taking over our body while projected.   Research shows that leaving the physical body is as safe as going to sleep every night. In fact, our astral body (the one used when projecting) naturally disengages from the physical body whenever we fall asleep. In essence, we can say that we project every night, though for many, this is not a conscious experience! We leave it each night and come back to it naturally. This invites you to set fear aside. No fear means we can relax further and reach the desired energetic states to project.

7. Have Ethics

This is a subtle point. Yet, our thoughts/intentions can be like fine threads which weave a powerful net strong enough to evoke and ultimately attract the vibes of our thoughts. If someone is trying to induce an astral projection but they are overtaken with fear and hesitation, they will ultimately end up evoking that same type of energy.  The same will happen if the person wants to project and has ill-will or not the best intentions in mind.  On the other hand, if the person is confident and has a healthy, ethical intention or mere curiosity, thoughts are neutral, the results will be positive.

8.     Welcome the unknown

Many hesitate attempting an OBE fearing they may encounter ill-intentioned beings while projected.  The best way to address this concern is to think of the type of beings currently in this dimension. Are we all good? All bad? All well intentioned?  In truth, varied beings exist.  The same goes for the non-physical beings in other dimensions. Beings in non-physical dimensions are diverse.  As we project, our internal core will naturally gravitate toward spaces and beings that resonate. So, the nature of our internal ethical intentions, will organically determine where we can travel and what we encounter.  Nothing is left to chance, however, once we gain more awareness, we will have more control as to where we go and who we interact with.

9.     Establish a goal

Whenever attempting to leave the body it is highly recommended to have a goal. What do you want to do while in an astral projection? Who do you want to see?  Where do you want to go? What do you want to experience?  A clear vision sets energetic wheels in motion. If you have many ideas, stick to one at a time. The goals set should also be genuine. Be sure to create a short phrase in mindl. Write it down, keep it visible or close to you when trying out a technique. Feel the way into it.

10.  Be aware of your energy environment

Wherever you aim to project, the room’s energetic environment exerts influence on the process. Our psyche, thoughts, emotional states, and material objects, generate an energetic imprint in these spaces.  Be vigilant of your state of mind.  Aim to be neutral/balanced. Evaluate objects in your midst. Sometimes certain items evoke unwanted presences or energies. Decluttering can have an uplifting effect. Clutter stagnates natural energy flow. Natural light enhances the space. We want our space to be clean both physically and energetically, so we feel relaxed and confident to go beyond the body.

Come into Remembrance

(Visionary Art by JR Slattum--threyda.com)

Notice if we have some difficulty, we are used to saying how can we make our mind different, what do we do about it? How do we get beyond whatever holds us back? How do we/I let go? Every stage is appropriate for the stage we are at. What occurs when we no longer ask what to do with or about it? When we no longer attempt to manage conditioned self, stop seeing a destructive pattern to fix, then the projector behind it reveals itself. Every point of view is a level of consciousness complete at every moment. Consider going to the root. This is the point where we see beyond obstacles to surmount or situations to 'work through'. This is not for everybody. The way you are used to dealing with yourself, whatever is causing difficulty, can shift to seeing from a point that is truly objective. When we are no longer affected emotionally, then the root arises. Focus shifts to what it is that feels what you feel? Things get quiet quickly. It brings us into the lived experience of being ourself, shows us immediately "I really do not know." The more you look inside to find yourself, the more you find a false self. There is nothing wrong with this. Its simply not primary. It leads us exactly where we wish to go- the Void, mystery, the Nothing. Look into the mystery behind all your ideas and aspirations. Behind all the drama, stories, and personality, is the Nothing. Everything is about avoiding the Nothing that is ever-present. To fall into the Nothing behind the mask called 'you/ me, self/other' is to discover what we really are. It is not what we imagine it to be. It does not end up being the Nothing we assume, but much more than that. It reveals itself beyond concepts. Everything in the mind is distracting us from the Nothing; that perceived past (memories), future, anxiety or whatever seems to happen in between. All of this invites attention for lessons or whatever we assume is gain. The concept of "who am I" takes shape as you dive into infinite waters. It spontaneous awakens. Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki echoes, 'the Most Important Thing is to find out the Most Important Thing.' Until you find out what is The Most Important Thing to/for you (not what someone says should be the most important), you have not yet touched your true power, ignited the inner spark or fire. Tune in, see how it moves. Watch and experience what you really are relate and function in the human experience. Be aware how you operate, every cell, organ and aspect of being. How does true nature see your conditioning. Life is self-authenticating. The Truth is Self-evident. A true teacher keeps you on track and points the way for you to find things out for yourself, step by step. Come into remembrance.

Revitalize your life

Notice you can wistfully sit back and wait for your boat to come in or, stop hoping for success and simply live from the heart to serve others. We consciously create a better version of ourselves by recognizing and thriving on challenges the Soul creates to stretch and grow. It requires flexibility and putting up with stormy weather. In other words, as we detect our self-defeating patterns, we each have power to integrate wisdom and make new choices to break the cycle. We can also find blessings everywhere, and be gentle with ourselves through transitions. We are not the body not the mind, not the emotions. We are the Soul, not what we do or do not do, not the personality or behaviour. One is Pure LoveThis is another way to feel reborn.