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Dreams: Understanding & Enjoying their Gift
IN THE ARMS OF
MORPHEUS
Death, Sleep, Dreams, and the Sixth Sense
Death is the ultimate change in consciousness. According to ancient
Egyptians, death causes the ba (soul) to leave the physical
body and begin its journey through the underworld. Prior to entering
the netherworld or underworld the soul's heart is weighed in the
balance as the gods look on. If the heart is light, then the soul may
continue its journey through the underworld up to the heavens. If the
heart is heavy, then the soul has "unfinished business" that weighs
down its ability to make the passage up to the heavens, so it wanders
in the underworld seeking an opportunity to rise with the sun on a
new morning. The soul finds its way through the underworld and, if
light enough, up to the heavens with the help of the god Anubis, a
jackal-headed god. The jackal head represents the unique ability of
the jackal to pick up the scent of a trail when we have become lost
and cannot find our way home. This is why this is such an important
god in ancient Egypt. The children of God have lost their way. The
sixth sense of Anubis can find the way and lead us home. The
underworld is representative of the unconscious, the heavens of the
higher consciousness. It was believed in ancient Egypt that the Nile
represented the barrier between the land of the living and the land
of the dead. Crossing the Nile was like crossing the barrier of the
dark unconscious and finding light and life on the other side.
Nicodemus asked Jesus to reveal to him the hidden or metaphysical
secrets, to which Jesus replied, "No one ascends to heaven but he or
she who descended from it, not even the Son of Man." Within us is
that part that descended from heaven and is seeking its way back but
is lost. At the Last Supper Jesus tells his disciples that they know
where he is going and the way there, but the disciples cannot figure
out what he means by this. They feel that they do not know where he
is going or the way. Yet, deep within them is the knowing. It simply
has to be awakened.
Sleep is a shadow of death. We don't need to die in order to
experience the underworld and heaven.
The following Cayce readings (5754-1 through 3) shed some fascinating
light on the nature of sleep. Since the sleep state and the dreams
that come from it are stimulated by our passage-in-consciousness
practice it is helpful to study these readings. I have edited them
for easier reading and clarity. Even so, they are particularly
difficult readings, requiring our patience and concentrated
attention. Read slowly. If you don't understand something, continue
on. When you come across something that you do feel some
understanding for, pause and reflect upon that.
"First, we would say, sleep is a shadow of that intermission in
earth's experiences, that state called 'death'; for the physical
consciousness becomes unaware of existent conditions &emdash; save
for the attributes of those that partake of the imaginative or
subconscious and unconscious forces of that same body.
"The sixth sense partakes of the ACCOMPANYING entity that is ever on
guard before the throne of the Creator itself. This sixth sense is
that as may be known as the other self of the entity. There is a
DEFINITE connection between that we have chosen to term the sixth
sense and the other self within self.
"This sixth sense activity is the activating power or force of the
other self. What other self? That which has been builded by the
entity through its experiences as a whole in the material and cosmic
world, see? It is a faculty of the soul-body itself. When the
physical consciousness is at rest, the other self communes with the
SOUL of the body, see? &emdash; correlating with that as the entity
has accepted as its criterion or standard.
"Hence, we may find that an individual may from sorrow sleep and wake
with a feeling of elation. What has taken place? Through such an
association in sleep there may have come that peace, that
understanding, through that passage of the selves in sleep. Hence we
find the more spiritual-minded individuals are the more easily
pacified, at peace, harmony, in normal active state as well as sleep.
Why? They have set before themselves that that IS a criterion that
may be wholly relied upon. For that from which an entity or soul
sprang is its CONCEPT, its awareness of, the Divine or Creative
Forces within their experience. Hence they that have named the Name
of the Son have put their trust in Him. He is their standard, their
model, their hope, their activity. Hence we see how the activity
through such sleep, or such quieting as to enter the silence, is
entering the presence of that which IS the criterion of the selves of
an entity!
"On the other hand, oft we find one may retire with a feeling of
elation, or peace, and awaken with a feeling of depression, of
aloofness, of being alone, of being without hope, or of fear
entering, and the body-physical awakes with that depression that
manifests itself as of low spirits, as is termed, or of coldness,
gooseflesh over the body [goose bumps?]. What has taken
place? A comparison in that the poet has called the 'arms of
Morpheus,' in that silence, in that relationship of the physical self
to the soul. If one has set self in array against that of love as
manifested by the Creator, then there MUST be a continual WARRING of
those.
"By comparison we find that energy of creation manifested in the Son,
such that one could say 'He sleeps,' while to the outward eye it was
death; for He WAS - and IS - and ever will be - Life and Death in
one. As we find ourselves in His presence in the sleep state, we then
compare &emdash; have we builded in the soul that which makes for
condemnation or that which is pleasing in His presence? So, my son,
my daughter, let thine lights be in Him, for these are the MANNERS
through which all may come to an understanding of the activities. As
was given, 'I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. I was caught up to
the seventh heaven. Whether I was in the body or out of the body I
cannot tell.' What was taking place? The subjugation of the physical
attributes in accord and attunement with its infinite force as set as
its ideal brought to that soul. Then came the response, 'Well done,
thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of thy Lord. He
that would be the greatest among you - not as the Gentiles, not as
the heathen, not as the scribes or Pharisees, but - 'He that would be
the greatest will be the SERVANT of all.'
"Which of these must be trained? The sixth sense? Or, must the body
be trained in its other functionings to the dictates of the sixth
sense?
"What, then, has this to do - you ask - with the subject of sleep?
Sleep - that period when the soul takes stock of that it has acted
upon during one rest period to another - making or drawing
comparisons that make for Life itself in its ESSENCE. As harmony,
peace, joy, love, long-suffering, patience brotherly love, kindness
are the fruits of the Spirit. Hate, harsh words, unkind thoughts,
oppressions and the like, are the fruits of the evil forces, or
Satan. The soul either abhors that it has passed through, or enters
into the joy of its Lord. This is an ESSENCE of that which is
intuitive in the active forces. Why should this be so in sleep and
not in wakefulness? How received woman her awareness? Through the
sleep of the man! Hence INTUITION is an attribute of that portion of
self brought to awareness by the suppression of those forces from
which it sprang, yet self is endowed with all of those abilities and
forces of its Maker.
"In a three dimensional world, a material world, beings must see a
materialization to become aware of its existence in that plane, yet
all are aware of the essence of Life itself, as the air that is
breathed carries those elements that are not aware consciously of any
existence to the body, yet the body lives upon such. In sleep all
things become possible, as one finds self flying through space,
lifting, or being chased, or what not, by those very things that make
for a comparison of that which has been builded by the very soul of
the body itself.
"Those who are nearer the spiritual realm, their visions, dreams and
the like occur more often and are more often retained by the
individual. For the first law is self-preservation. Thus self rarely
desires to condemn self, except when the selves are warring one with
another. If the ideal of the individual is lost, then the abilities
to contact the spiritual forces are gradually lost or barriers are
builded that prevent the individual from sensing of the nearness to a
spiritual development.
"Whether the body desires it or not, in sleep the consciousness
physically is laid aside. As to what will be or what will it seek
depends upon what has been builded. What has it associated itself
with, physically, mentally, spiritually? The closer the associations
in the mental and physical with the spiritual, then - as has been
seen by those attempting to produce a certain character of vision or
dream - these follow the universal law: Like begets like! That which
is sown in honor is reaped in glory. That which is sown in corruption
cannot be reaped in glory. And, the likings are associations that are
the comparisons of that which has been builded. Such experiences as
dreams, visions and the like are but the ACTIVITIES in the unseen
world of the real self of an entity.
"Ready for questions.
"Q: How may one train the sixth sense?
"A: That which is constantly associated in the mental visioning, in
the imaginative forces, that which is constantly associated with the
senses of the body, that will it develop towards. There are NO
individuals who haven't at SOME TIME been warned as respecting that
that may arise in their daily or physical experience! Do they heed?
Do they heed to that as may be given as advice? No! Then, it must be
experienced!
"Q: How may one be constantly guided by the accompanying entity on
guard at the Throne?
"A: It is there! It's as to whether they desire it or not! It doesn't
leave but is the active force. As to its ability to SENSE the
variations in the experiences, it is as given in the illustration:
'As to whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell.' Hence
this sense is the ability of the entity to associate to that realm it
seeks for its associations during sleep periods, see?
"The subconscious and the abnormal, or the unconscious is the mind of
the soul. That is, the sense that is used is of the subconscious or
subliminal self that is on guard ever with the Throne itself. Has it
not been said, 'He has given his angels charge concerning thee, lest
at any time thou dashest thy foot against a stone.' Have you heeded?
Then, He is near. Have you disregarded? Then, He has withdrawn to
thine own self, see? That self that has been builded, that is as the
comparison that must be presented - that IS presented - before the
Throne itself! CONSCIOUSNESS - see - man seeks this for his OWN
diversion. In sleep the soul seeks the REAL diversion, or the REAL
activity of self.
"Q: What governs the experiences of the astral body while in the
fourth dimensional plane during sleep?
"A: That upon which it has fed. That which it has builded. That which
it seeks. That which the mental mind, the subconscious mind, the
subliminal mind, SEEKS! That governs.
"Then, we come to an understanding of, 'He that would find must
seek.' In the physical or material this we understand. That is a
pattern of the subliminal or the spiritual self.
"Q: What state or trend of development is indicated if an individual
does not remember dreams?
"A: The negligence of its associations, physically, mentally and
spiritually.
"Q: Does one dream continually but simply fail to remember
consciously?
"A: Continues an association or withdraws from that which IS its
right, or its ability to associate! There is no difference in the
unseen world to that that is visible, except in the unseen so much
greater expanse or space may be covered! Does one always desire to
associate itself with others? Do individuals always seek
companionship? Do they withdraw themselves? That same desire carries
on in the unseen world! See? It's a NATURAL experience! It's NOT an
unnatural - it is nature - it is God's activity! His associations
with man. His DESIRE to make for man a way for an understanding! Is
there seen or understood fully that illustration that was given of
the Son of man: that while those in the ship were afraid because of
the elements [the storm], the Master of the sea slept. What
associations may there have been with that sleep? Was it a natural
withdrawing? Yet, when spoken to, the sea and the winds obeyed His
voice. Thou may do even as He, wilt thou make thineself aware of the
ability of those forces within self to communicate with, understand,
those elements of the spiritual life IN the conscious and
unconscious, these be one!
"Q: Is it possible for a conscious mind to dream while the astral or
spirit body is absent?
"A: There may be dreams. It's as one's ability to divide self and do
two things at once.
"The ability to read music and play is using different faculties of
the same mind. Different portions of the same consciousness. Then,
for one faculty to function while another is functioning in a
different direction is not only possible but probable, dependent upon
the ability of the individual to concentrate, or to centralize in
their various places those functionings that are manifest of the
spiritual forces in the material plane. BEAUTIFUL, isn't it?"
For our practical use, let's restate some of the key concepts and
guidelines presented in these readings.
1. There are two selves, an outer self who usually loses
consciousness during sleep and an inner self who gains consciousness
during sleep. The outer self, the personality, is associated with the
seen world. The inner self, the soul-self, is associated with the
unseen world.
2. The unseen world is no different than the seen except that in the
unseen so much greater expanse or space may be experienced. The same
desires, attitudes, and habits carry over into the unseen from the
seen.
3. The inner self has a sixth sense. This sixth sense is the
activating power or force of the inner self. The outer self must be
trained to subjugate its influence to the control of the inner self
in order for this power to fully manifest.
4. During sleep, a review and evaluation goes on, measuring the day's
activities and thoughts against a standard or criterion. If the Son
of God is the criterion, then one enters into that Presence and is
either pleased or repelled by one's behavior.
5. The two selves can war with one another if the activities and
thoughts of the outer self do not fit the goals and needs of the
inner self, or do not measure up to the criterion held as the
ideal.
6. The essence of life is ever present, even when not seen or
consciously perceived. as air is to a physical body. The essence of
real life is harmony, peace, joy, love, long-suffering, patience,
brotherly love, and kindness. Hate, harsh words, greed, selfishness,
unkind thoughts, oppressions and the like, pollute the air and slowly
kill the real essence of life.
7. That which is intuitive in the outer life is the essence of the
inner, real life. And, intuition is acquired by suppressing the
outer's influence in order to allow the inner to surface, endowed
with all those abilities and forces of its Maker. Thus, in sleep,
when the outer is suppressed and the inner is active, all things
become possible.
8. What one seeks, one finds. The inner self is ever ready to
manifest, but it must be sought, desired.
9. What one feeds upon physically, mentally and emotionally, one
attracts when entering into the unseen world of sleep.
10. It is a NATURAL experience.
DREAM RECALL & INTERPRETATION
Now that we have some idea of the dynamics of dreaming and the
development of the sixth sense, let's look at Cayce's tips for dream
recall.
First, since slipping into asleep is actually a transition from
conscious mind to subconscious, and since the subconscious is so
amendable to suggestion, Cayce recommends that we give ourselves a
pre-sleep suggestion (as we are falling asleep) to recall our
dreams.
Second, since the conscious mind is not having the dream and is in
control of the central nervous system (which operates much of the
movement of the body), Cayce recommends that we not move the body
immediately upon awakening. Rather, lie still and scan your deeper
mind for the dream content.
Finally, once the content is present, transfer it over to the
conscious mind and write it down in a dream journal. Much will be
gained by your dream study. Think of it as going to college, the
college of the soul and spirit. Graduation is fully knowing yourself
to be your true and complete self, and yet one with the Whole. Within
us is the greatest teacher of all.
Tips for Remembering & Understanding&endash;
Pre-sleep suggestion: As we fall asleep we are moving from the
conscious mind to the subconscious, dreaming mind. The subconscious
is amenable to suggestion. Therefore, give it a suggestion to
remember your dreams. One suggestion that is used in the Cayce
organization is: "Now I'm going to sleep deeply and will wake feeling
refreshed, revitalized, and remembering my dreams."
Don't move the body upon waking: To move the physical body
requires the conscious mind. Since it is not the dreaming mind, we do
not want to engage it too quickly in the morning, allowing the
subconscious to give its content to the conscious mind gradually and
completely. Lie still for this important transfer of data.
Get the gist of it first, details second: Feel the essence of
the dream's meaning first, and don't let the details sway you from
the fundamental essence or spirit of the dream.
Use the essence of the dream in life: Knowledge not applied is
lost and becomes a stumblingblock rather than a steppingstone.
Keep a journal, but keep it simple: Dream themes are developed
over a series of dreams. Inner processing takes several dreams.
Detailed guidance takes several dreams. Write them down. Read over
them. But don't let it become a burden. Keep it a dynamic, changing
part of real life. The inner and outer are a team.
Tips for Interpreting Dreams&endash;
Here's a good sequence of steps to help us correctly interpret a
dream:
Identify the MOOD: up, down, or neutral; scared or daring, sad
or happy, worried or hopeful, and so on. Mood reveals our
inner-self's fundamental feelings.
Identify the SUBJECT. Refine this to the lowest common
denominator: What is the subject that is being viewed? Not the
action. Not the feeling. The subject. The matter under
consideration.
Identify the MOVEMENT: watching, listening, waiting,
reflecting, and the like; or doing, acting, changing, making, running
toward, and the like; or protecting, warning, retreating, running
away, and the like. Movement reveals our innerself's basic call to
action, further reflection, or retreat.
Identify the NATURE of the inner mind's condition or
disposition. Is it: reviewing, previewing, analyzing, processing,
instructing, warning, encouraging, or experiencing? Determining the
fundamental nature of the inner mind's activity helps us understand
how to use the dream. In some cases, the dream is an experiencing, a
processing, a reflecting, and calls for no action. In other cases,
the dream is instructing, warning, or encouraging us, and action is
called for.
#3 and #4 may seem very similar, and they are in some ways, but I've
separated them because it helps me to think of "movement" as the
action called for in the dream, while "nature" is the condition or
disposition of the inner mind during the dream.
Let's review: As you wake, take note of the overall mood, then
the subject, then the movement, and finally the
nature of the mind while in the dream. Remember, it is best to
do this while still in or near the dreaming mind because it is the
best interpreter of the dream. Cayce always said that the dreamer was
the best interpreter of the dream. And the dreamer is not our outer,
intellectual selves but our inner, dreaming selves. Get the
interpretation before you come completely out of the dreaming
mind.
Practice brings results.
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