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.
