A morning’s meditation on the night past.
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At night, every night, when I sleep, I dream. So, last night…
At times, I beheld attractive images. Alluring symbols, rich and vibrant in color. All pointing to my heartfelt hopes for a better world. For a better me.
At times, I nightmared. Forbidding visions appeared, in shades dark and subdued. All foreshadowing the worst of my fears for our world. And for me.
On waking, I desired to forestall, even better, to forget entirely those haunting nocturnal specters. Yet to do that would be to end all possibility of dreaming.
I’m reminded of Charon, Greek mythology’s ferryman of Hades, carrying a soul from the land of the living across the river Acheron to the domain of the dead. Offering a drink from the waters of Lethe, the river of forgetfulness, Charon advised, “Your worries and woes will burden you no more.” The soul inquired, “Will I remember my hopes, my blessings?” Charon replied, “No, you will forget everything.” With a wan smile, the soul then said, “I shall not drink, for I choose to forget nothing.”
To hold in my heart all of life, joy and sorrow, hope and fear makes dreaming possible. For what is a dream but a vision of a longed for what might be in the face of a less than desired what is.
© 2022 PRA
#themeasureandmeaningofdreams #dreamsandnightmares #hopesandfears #joysandsorrows
occasional observations of mind and heart, soul and spirit 
THIS!!! Catching up today on some reading of emails, Paul, and I’m so glad I came across this wonderful post. This expresses so beautifully and so well what I believe earnestly – that everything that comes to us – including the beauty and the nightmare of dreams, as well as of our lives – has meaning – even blessing – for us and is converted ultimately into what we are to the world and what we bring to the world. Everything is a part of the gift we receive and transforms eventually into the gift we are able to offer in gratitude for the unspeakable privilege of Being. Thank you for this reminder of what is so easily forgotten in the turmoil and busyness of everyday.
Not particularly related to the above, but I came across a line this morning in something I was reading that I wanted to bring to you. You so often write of the quality of love that is commanded by Jesus and the Gospel as unconditional benevolence toward all people, and this particular phrase reminded me of that consistent definition of yours but added a small gloss that really resonated with me: “… the good, hard love that requires believing each other to be worthy…” What would it mean to the world if we, each and every one of us, regarded every other living being as “worthy?” That’s a question I think I’ll live with for a few days just to try it on and see what it feels like.
Thank you for continuing to pose questions and offering some possible answers, Paul. There were a number of times the past few days with Loretta that I thought of you and Pontheolla and wished you could have been here with us. You are both loved!
Karen
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Yes, my dear Karen, Pontheolla and I wish we could have shared the sacred time of which you, Ted, Emilia, and Loretta partook.
As for beholding one another as worthy… Two immediate thoughts…feelings… That we behold ourselves as worthy and that worthiness is an essential element of being (thus, not doing). As for the first thought, I oft struggle to grant unto myself that which I easily give to others. Regarding the second thought, manifold times have I had occasion — whether contemplating my own life or listening to others unfold that chapters and verses of their earthly pilgrimages and, thus, ruminating on the matter(s) of the nurturing of children — to wish that so very many of us had had the experience of being loved because we (simply, profoundly) existed. For, sadly, often enough, it seems to me, many of us were taught that love — in whatever form: affection, kindness, material support, etc. — was the reward, the wage of good behavior (however defined and instructed).
Love, always and in all ways,
Paul
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