I had the dream again last night. The one where I am in my house (sometimes it looks like my actual house and sometimes it doesn't, but it's "mine" just the same) and suddenly I come upon rooms I never knew existed. The house seems to go on and on, one room after another, previously hidden from me, but now perfectly obvious as I wander through this maze of discovery of what was apparently there all along!Naturally I "googled" this dream imagery and discovered it is very common and generally indicates the dreamer is on a journey of new discovery. The reaction to finding these "hidden" rooms tells much about the dreamer's state of mind regarding this journey. Afraid? Excited? Opening those new doors? Or slamming them shut?
My reaction inside the dream is one of excited delight, of anticipation, and even desire for there to be more and more rooms. This is a good thing...I am ready for growth and anticipation with the realization that I am discovering strengths, skills and abilities I have within me. I am opening to realizing my greater potential!!! Wow! The dream last night seemed to focus on huge wide hallways leading to these new rooms. Hallways symbolize self-exploration and a new path in life, a journey into the unknown, a transitional phase, a spiritual enlightenment. Wow again!
Because in "real life" (that is, when I'm awake), I am very aware of being in a transitional phase, of being on a spiritual journey, of taking a path into the unknown....and sometimes it scares me. Often I say I don't recognize myself anymore...or my life...I feel off-kilter and a bit panicked much of the time. I feel a sense of dread and overwhelm. This is not new, I guess. I have always been a worrier and have gazed at the half-empty cup at every age and stage, questioning what is coming next and assuming it will be worse than what has come before...or at least that I will be unequal to the task before me. I have done considerable "inner work" on overcoming these irrational fears, but it still seems to be my default response to change.
Conversely, my other "real life" (when I'm asleep) is seeking to assure me that all is well and, in fact, it's pretty great. Retirement, kids grown up, a few minor health issues, increasing wrinkles and gray hair, and a new and sometimes confusing study of Buddhism and Insight Meditation do not foretell of disaster. In fact, what my subconscious is telling me is that this is a time of excitement and growth: I am on a path of self-realization, "hidden" potential is about to be revealed, spiritual growth and awakening are mine to behold.
All I have to do is believe it when I'm awake.
At least, that's the view from here...©
I am so excited by this issue of your blog - as it fits into one of the "in-class" activites we will be doing next week!! Wow - how timely is that?!
ReplyDeleteHere's an interesting take on dreams, by one of my favorite writers, Michael Chabon.
ReplyDeleteWell, OK. Some good points made by Mr. Chabon. As for me, I find the subconscious pretty fascinating and I guess I need all the help I can get to try to decipher what the hell my life may be about....if it's about anything. Navel gazing is a benign a pastime I enjoy and is much less detrimental to me, and society, than some other activities in which I've engaged. Nighty-night.
DeleteFrom an email I received:
ReplyDeleteThe house! I even know where it is. Oh, and there is the house I purchased in a dream as a rental. I know the setting, but have not driven by it yet. These houses are as familiar as the one in which I live, and I have dreamed about them many times. I wish I could move into that larger house. It had so many more rooms to explore! I liked the house because it had areas which could be rented out! That concept might not be as good when using the brain as a starting place, and could be an answer to many aspects of my life! I have rented/given my strength to so many people over the years and forgot to keep rooms for myself! One could also look at this as a lack of boundary resolution. Once I find my boundaries are not to my liking, I end relationships. Never learned to be up front about boundaries. Oh my! and I have had years of counseling to figure this out! Living alone has its good points. I only have to set boundaries for myself!
Thanks for getting the brain moving!
I've always seen those surprise rooms as potential places to put my stuff. An all-purpose room makes sense but one activity distracts from another. But: A Sewing room!! A dedicated office!! A real ready-for-guests room!! Who knows room!! I was close once in a 4 bedroom house after the kids moved on.
ReplyDelete