Wednesday, July 11, 2012

You May Say I'm a Dreamer

When I hand things over to something larger and wiser than myself, sometimes, I am astounded at what gets handed back.


I recently wrote about entering into relationship with the Unknown, with What Is. My dreams have been sending me all sorts of reminders about this commitment, in all manner of metaphor. Most notably, there has been a series of unfamiliar and transitory locations (hotels, conference halls, rental houses and cottages) and water (bathtubs, pools, lakes, the ocean). 


Yes, the Universe seems to be saying - you're on a journey whose final destination is not clear. Soon you may be immersed in change; at times, you may need to navigate choppy waters in unknown territory. At times, the best course of action may be to flip onto your back and let the currents carry you to calmer seas


In my dreams, I've been called to meet the many faces of Fear as it appears in my life; to clarify what is and is no longer important to me; to acknowledge the deeply entrenched habits, traits and unresolved "stuff" that will continue to trip me up, unless I deal with them.  The variety of images through which these patterns make themselves known seems infinitely creative, and have I learned that if I am not getting a message, it will continue to shape shift until it arrives in a visual package that I can recognize, open and appreciate. 


My mentor, Susan Morgan, is helping me learn to work with my dreams, to develop what she calls dream "literacy." 


I love that term, because that's how it feels. I am gradually learning a new language rich with imagery and metaphor; I am challenged to look beyond the simple, surface interpretations of things and am being invited to explore my own deep associations - as well as more universal associations - with the images and stories that emerge in my dreams. 


I feel more connected to my intuition and inner knowing, and that I am supported in my quest by something much greater than myself: Something mysterious, benevolent and generous; something that is willing to provide guidance and insight, if I am willing to engage with it in relationship. 


Piece by piece, my dreams and I are weaving the story of my life. Old wounds that have gone untended are rising up to say, "Here. This still hurts." And I must ask how I can acknowledge, honor and integrate them into the broader tapestry of my story. Repeated dreams of masks and theatrical events invite me to question what illusions I may be carrying, what I may be hiding behind, what is a performance versus an authentic living of my life. 


This past weekend, my mentor said, with great passion, "The greatest gift each of us can give the Universe is our authentic Self." 


And in the work-a-day world, I am sometimes challenged to do this. Whether the challenges are internal or external or both is something to which I am trying to bring greater awareness. But carrying that mandate, to live an authentic life, is work worth attending to. My dreams are quick - and getting quicker - to tell me when I'm succeeding and when I'm not, and to elucidate those things that may be getting in my way. 


The idea for this blog came to me in a near-dreaming state. Perhaps it serves only to give me a means for putting into words the questions and revelations that are surfacing for me at this time in my life. And that is fine. That is good. Because it focuses and attunes me to those aspects of myself and my life in a way that I would not otherwise be.  And that feels like one way of honoring the guidance that comes sometimes during the deep night and sometimes, during a brief day dream. I have learned that honoring my dreams with action is an important part of the process; it's a "thank you" to the Universe and helps keep the lines of communication open. 


So as I try to walk the path of the Unknown with mindfulness and integrity, I am grateful to know that as long as I am paying attention to my dreams, I will not - cannot - get lost. My inner GPS is linked in to a wisdom far greater than my own, which is both a relief and a blessing. 


"You may say I'm a dreamer..."


And you'd be right. 







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