Dreamsthatarecommonoccurrencesandarethoughtbytheworldtobemeaningless.
　　Ihaveendeavored,throughtheoccultforcesinandaboutmetofindtheiresotericorhiddenimport.
　　_Dreamstranspireonthesubjectiveplane.Theyshouldthereforebeinterpretedbysubjectiveintelligence_.This,thoughburdenedwithmanybusinesscares,Ihavehonestlyendeavoredtodo.
　　ThroughthelonghoursofmanynightsIhavewaitedpatientlyandpassivelytheautomaticmovementofmyhandtowritethesubjectivedefinitionswithoutreceivingawordorasinglemanifestationofintelligence,andagainthemysteriousforceswouldwriteasfastasmyhandcouldmoveoverthepaper.
　　Iwillleaveitformyreaderstodrawtheirownconclusionsastowhetherautomaticwritingistheworkofextraneousspirits,throughthebrainandintelligenceofthemedium,ortheresultofauto-suggestiveinfluenceuponthesubjectivepersonality.
　　ItisarguedbytheMaterialist,withsomedegreeofstrength,thatthehealthymandoesnotdream,Thisis,perhaps,true,inaway,butthewholemancomprisesthepast,present,andfuture.Thepastandfuturealwaysembracemoreoftheconditionsthatsurroundhimthanthepresent.Thepresentisonlytheacutestage,whilethechronicstage,consideredfromapersonalview,isthepastandfuturecombined.
　　Mancannoteliminateentirelythesestatesfromhimself,for,whiletheyarepastandfuturetothepersonalmind,theyareeverpresenttothehighersubjectivesenses;heis,therefore,neverinperfecthealthunlessthesestatesareinharmonywiththepresent.
　　Thepersonalself,inanormalstate,cannotfreeitselffromthepastorfromtheanxietiesofthefuture.
　　Thereadershouldeverkeepbeforehismindthefactthatnomaneverhadthesamedreamtwice.Hemayhavehadverysimilardreams,butsomedetailwillbemissing.Natureseemstoabhorduplicates.
　　Youcouldnomorefindtwodreamsalikethanyoucouldfindfacsimilesintwobladesofgrass.Amancannotlivetwodaysexactlyalike.
　　Differentinfluencesandpassionswillpossesshim.Consequently,notwodreamscanbehadunderexactlythesameinfluences.StereotypesarepeculiarlytheinventionofmanandnotofGodornature.
　　Sinceitisimpossibletofindamantwiceinexactlythesamementalstate,itisequallyimpossibleforhimtodreamthesamedreamtwice;therefore,itisonlypossibletoapproximatedreaminterpretationbyclassingthemintofamilies.
　　ThisIhaveattemptedtodoinamorecomprehensivewaythanotherwriterswhohaveprecededme.
　　Allmenareacquaintedwithhealthandsickness,loveandhate,successandfailure.Sickness,hateandfailurebelongtokindredfamilies,andoftenallytheirforcesinsuchawaythatitishardtosaywhetherthedreamerwillfailinlove,healthorsomebusinessundertaking.
　　Butatalltimesabadsymbolisawarningofevil,thoughthatevilmaybeminimizedorexaggerated,or_viceversa_,accordingassignsaregood.
　　Thus,ifthedreamsymbolindicateswealthorfortunetothepeasant,hiswakinglifemaybegladdenedbyreceivingorseeingafifty-centpiece,orfindingassuringwork,whilethesamesymboltoawealthymanwouldmeanmanydollars,orafavorableturninaffairs.
　　Itisthesameinphysicallife.Amanmayhearthesoundofawagon.
　　Hecannotdeterminebytherattleofthewheelswhetheritisladenwithlaundry,groceriesordrygoods.Hemayjudgeastoitssizeandwhetheritisbearingaheavyoralightburden.Whenitobjectifieshewillbeabletoknowitsfullimportandnotbefore.
　　Sowithdreamsymbols.Wemayknowtheyarefraughtwithevilorgood,asinthecaseofPilate'swife,butwecannottelltheirfullmeaninguntiltheirreflectionsmaterializebeforetheobjectivesense.
　　Deathismorefrequentlyforetoldbydreammessagesorvisions,asexplainedinanotherpartofthischapter.
　　Duringsleepthewillissuspended,leavingthemindoftenapreytoitsownfancy.Theslightestattackofanenemymaybeforetoldbytheunbridledimaginationexaggeratingthementalpictureintoamonstroussharkorsnake,when,indeed,amuchlessportentoussignwascastfromthedreammold.
　　Awomanmayseeaserpentinwakinglifeandthroughfrightlosereasonorself-control.Sheimaginesitpursuesherwheninrealityitisgoinganoppositedirection;inalikewaydreamsmaybemanytimesunreal.
　　Themindlosesitsreasonorwillinsleep,butasupersensitiveperceptionisawakened,and,asitregainsconsciousnessfromsleep,thesoundofaknockonthewallmaybemagnifiedintoapistolshot.
　　Thesleepingmindisnotonlysupersensitiveastoexistingexternalsoundsandlight,butitfrequentlyseeshoursanddaysaheadofthewakingmind.
　　Noristhiscontradictorytothelawsofnature.Theanthousedinthedepthoftheearth,awayfromatmosphericchanges,knowsoftheapproachoftheharvest,andcomesforthtolaybyhisstore.
　　Inalikemanner,thepetsquirrelisabetterbarometerofthelocalweatherthantheWeatherBureau.Withunerringforesight,whenawintryfrownnowheremarsthehorizon,heisabletoapprehendacoldwavetwenty-fourhoursahead,andbuildhishouseaccordingly.
　　Soinsleep,mandreamsthefuturebyintuitiveperceptionofinvisiblesignsorinfluences,whileawakehereasonsitoutbycauseandeffect.
　　Theformerseemstobethelawofthespiritualworld,whilethelatterwouldappeartobethelawofthematerialworld.Manshouldnotdependaloneuponeither.Togethertheyproclaimthemaleandfemaleprincipleofexistenceandshouldfindharmoniousconsummation.
　　Inthismanneronlycanmanhopetoachievethatperfectnormalstatetowhichthebestthoughtofthehumanraceisaspiring,wherehecancreateandcontrolinfluencesinsteadofbeingcreatedandcontrolledbythem,asthemajorityofusareatthepresentday.
　　God,thehighestsubjectivesourceofintelligence,mayinadreamleaveimpressionsorpresentimentsonthemindofman,thehighestobjectivesourceofintelligence.
　　Thephysicalsunsendsitslightintothedarkcornersoftheearth,andGod,theSpiritualSun,impartsspirituallightintothepassiveandreceptivesoul.
　　Man,byhidinginacave,orclosingthewindowsanddoorsofhishouse,mayshutoutallphysicallight;sohemaysteephissoulinsensualdebaucheryuntilallspirituallightisshutout.
　　Justasthevitalessenceofthesoil,themotherofnature,maybeextractedbyabuse,eitherfromomissionorcommission,untilneitherthelightofthesun,northemoistureoftheheavenswillwaketheflushoflife,somaythespiritualessencebedeadenedwhenthesoilofthesoulisfilledwiththeagedandmultiplyingweedsofravishingmateriality.
　　Thedreammindisofteninfluencedbythewakingmind.
　　Whenthewakingminddwellsuponanysubject,thedreammindismoreorlessinfluencedbyit,anditoftenassiststhewakingmindinsolvingdifficultproblems.Thepersonalfuture,embodiedintheactivestatesoftheuniversalmind,mayaffectthedreammind,producingpremonitionsofdeath,accidentsandmisfortune.
　　Theobjectivemindrejoicesorlamentsovertheaspectsofthepastandpresent,whilethespiritualmind,strivingwiththepersonalfuture,eitherlamentsorrejoicesovertheprospectiveconditions.
　　Oneisthebarometerofthepast,whiletheotheristhebarometerofthefuture.
　　Ifwestudycarefullythespiritualimpressionsleftuponthedreammind,throughtheinterpretationsofthisbook,wewillbeabletoshapeourfutureinaccordancewithspirituallaw.
　　Thusourtemporaleventswillcontributetoourspiritualdevelopment,andinturnourspiritualknowledgewillcontributetoourtemporalwelfare.
　　Withoutthisharmoniousinteractionofthetwogreatforcesinman,theDivineplanofdestinycannotbereached.
　　Thiscanonlybeaccomplishedthroughthematerialmindorreasondominatingtheanimalemotionsoftheheart.
　　Inthiswaywewouldnotcovetourneighbor'sgoods,orgrowangrywithourbrotherovertrifles.
　　Thehousevacatedbythesefish{sic}appetitesoftheworldwouldbefilledwiththewhispersofspiritualloveandwisdomnecessarytothemutualwelfareanddevelopmentofbodyandsoul.
　　Thetheoryusedinthisbooktointerpretdreamsisbothsimpleandrational.
　　Bytheusingofityouwillbesurprisedtofindsomanyofthepredictionsfulfilledinyourwakinglife.Wedealwithboththethoughtandthedream.
　　Thethoughtorsignimpliedintheobjectdreamedofandtheinfluencesurroundingitarealwaysconsideredintheinterpretation.
　　Thoughtsproceedfromthevisiblemindanddreamsfromtheinvisiblemind.
　　Theaveragewakingmindreceivesandretainsonlyafewofthelessonsoflife.Itislargelyfilledwithidleandincoherentthoughtsthataresoonforgotten.Thesamemaybetrulysaidofthedreammind.
　　Manyofourdaythoughtsaredaydreams,justasmanyofournightdreamsarenightthoughts.Ourdaydeedsofevilorgoodpierceorsoothetheconscience,justasournightsymbolsofsorrowandjoysaddenorpleasetheobjectivesenses.Ourday'sthoughtsarefilledwiththewarningsandpresenceoftheinnermindandournight'sthoughtsaretincturedandoftencontrolledbyourexternalmind.
　　Somewriterhassaid:``Everythingthatexistsuponearthhasitsetherealcounterpart.''Christsaid:``Asamanthinkethsoishe.''
　　AHinduproverbsays:``Manisacreatureofreflection;hebecomesthatuponwhichhereflects.''Amodernmetaphysicistsays:
　　``Ourthoughtsarerealsubstanceandleavetheirimagesuponourpersonality,theyfillouraurawithbeautyoruglinessaccordingtoourintentsandpurposesinlife.''Eachevilthoughtoractionhasitspursuingphantom,eachsmileorkindlydeeditsguidingangel,weleavewhereverweignoblystand,atombandanepitaphtohauntusthroughthefurnaceofconscienceandmemory.
　　Closelyfollowinginthewakeofourmultiplyingevilthoughtsarearmiesoftheseghastlyspectrespursuingeachotherwiththeexactintentsandpurposesofthemindthatgavethembeing.Ifweconsiderwellthesefactswewillbeforcedintothinkingourbestthoughtsatalltimes.
　　Thoughtsarethesubjectiveandcreativeforcethatproducesaction.
　　Actionistheobjectiveeffectofthought;hencethecharacterofourdailythoughtsismakingourfailureorsuccessofto-morrow.
　　Theimpersonalminddealswithalltimeandthingsaseverpresent.
　　Theobjectivemindisconstantlystrivingtopenetratethespiritualrealm,whilethespiritualmindisstrivingtoentermatter,henceouractionshavetheirsubjectivecounterpartsandtheirsubetherealcounterparts.Theuniversalmind,inharmonywiththeevolutionaryplansandlawsofthemacrocosms,materializesthroughfunctionsofthemicrocosm,impartingtoeach,withitsroutineoffailureandsuccess,itsdailyobjectivity.
　　Theinnerorpassivedreammindmayperceivethesubjectivetypesorantitypesmanydaysbeforetheyobjectifythroughthemicrocosm.
　　Theirmeaningisoftenwraptinsymbols,butsometimestheactualasitoccursinobjectivelifeisconveyed.
　　Ourownthoughtimageswhichhavepassedbeforetheobjectivemindmaybeperceivedbytheclevermindreader,butthoseantitypeswhichareaffectingourfuture,butwhichhavenoneotherbutsubjectiveexistence,arerarelyeverperceivedbyanyoneexceptbythepowerofthehigherselforthespiritwithin.
　　Forthisreasonweareenjoinedbythesagestostudyself.
　　Withthephysicalmindweonlyseephysicalobjects,withthesubjectivemindweseeonlysubjectiveobjects.
　　ThiswasPaul'sdoctrineanditisthebeliefofthebestpsychicthoughtofthiscentury.Bymeansofourreason——
　　anobjectiveprocessfordiviningthefuture——aidedbymathematicalandgeographicaldata,wemayoutlinethestormcentersandthepathoftheraindaysbeforetheyappearincertainlocalities.
　　Aftereliminatingallcontingenciesarisingfromclericalerrorandcounteractinginfluence,theprognosticationissureoffulfilment.Forcenturiesaheadtheastronomerforetellstheeclipseofthemoonandthesunandthearrivalofcomets.
　　Hedoesnotdothisbycrossingtheborderlanddividingthespiritualfromthephysicalworld.Inalikemannerthesubjectiveforcesoperateupontheirownplanesandknowverylittleevenoftheirowncorporalrealm,justasourphysicalsensesknowlittle,ifanything,ofthesoulorspiritualhabitation.
　　Theyknowthatbygrosslivingthesenseofconsciencemaybedulled,orthatbyrightlivingitmaybestrengthened.
　　Inlikemannerthesubjectivemindperceivesbyitsownsensescertaininvisibletypesofevilseekingexternalmanifestationsinthemicrocosm.Itknowsthattheseformsoferrorwillworkharmtotheobjectivemind,andthatifpersistedintheywillpervertallintercourseorinterchangeofcounselbetweenthetwofactionsoftheman.Inthisthereisnospiritualperceptionofphysicalobjects,anymorethanthereisinmundanelifeasenseperceptionofspiritualimagesandantitypes.
　　Theformeronlyseestheformsthatmanifestonitsplane,whilethelattercannoteonlythosecommontoitssphere.
　　Eachmayrecognizeandfeeltheviolenceorgoodthatthesemanifestationswilldototheirrespectivecounterparts,butwehavenoreasontobelievethatnormalobjectiveorsubjectivestateshavevisionalpowersbeyondtheirownplane.
　　Themindofmanactinguponthemindofthemacrocosmwillproduce,accordingashethinksoracts,antitypesofgoodorevilintheimaginationoftheworldwhichisreflecteduponthespiritualauraofthemicrocosmprevioustotakingoncorporalform.
　　Whileinthisstatetheymaybeperceivedbysubjectivity,andthustheimagesseenareimpressedonthedreammindduringsleep,oronthepassivityoftheobjectivesense.
　　Evilorrighteousactsrecentlycommittedwillmoreacutelyaffectthepresentwakingmindthanthoseenactedatamoreremoteperiod.
　　Inasimilarwayfuturedisasterorsuccesswhichissoontooccurwillimpressthedreammindmorevividlythanthosewhicharetotranspireatalaterdate.Butinthelivesofallmentherearepastincidentswhichtheywillneverforget,andwhichwillneverceasetofilltheirheartswithprideorremorse.
　　So,too,intheirdistantfuturethereareimportanteventstotranspirewhicharestrugglingthroughtumultuousinfinitudetoleavetheirghastlyorsmilingimpressuponthedreammind.
　　Ifyourmentalstatesarepassiveyouwillreceivethewarnings.
　　Therearecasesonrecordwhichshoweventshavebeenforecastyearsaheadoftheiroccurrence.
　　Wedonotclaimthatthisbookwillproveaninterpreterofalldreams,orthatthekeysdisclosedwillopentoyouallthemysteriesofthefuture,orevenallthosesurroundingyourownpersonality,butbystudyingthedefinitionsandtheplaneuponwhichtheywerewritten,youwillbeable,throughthepowerofyourownspirit,tointerpretyourowndreams.
　　Thecombinationofdreamanddreaminfluencesareasinfiniteasthestars,orthecombinationofthoughtandnumber.Theycanonlybeclassedandconsideredassuch.Theycannotbeanalyzedindetailorasawhole.
　　Inmathematicswehaveninedigitsfromwhichaninfinitevarietyofcombinationsmaybeformedandsolvedbythedeductionofthemind.
　　Throughthemwemaymeasuretime,space,qualityandquantity.
　　ThesymboloandIexistbyreasonof_nothing_and_something_ordeathandlife.Thefigureoneissubjecttoillimitableexpansion.Itiswithoutbeginningintheinfiniteofnumber,asGodiswithoutbeginningintheinfiniteofbeing.
　　Aswiththevegetablekingdom,thetinyseedoracornsilentlyworkingitsmagicaltransformationintoaplantortree,anddirectingitsdestinywithmarvelousintelligencethroughthetorridandfrigidvicissitudesoftheseasons;
　　soismanwithoutbeginningintheinfinitudeofhisownbeingormicrocosm.Manisbothatypeandantitype.
　　Atypeofwhatpre-existedintheimaginationoftheworld,andanantitypeofafuturelifeyettomanifestitselfonanotherplanewheretheincidentsoftheonewillbesubjective,astheeventsoccurringininfancyorinotherplanesarenowsubjective.
　　Hisdreams,thoughtsandactions,andtheinfluencesthatproducethemandtheirmultiplyingcombination,cannotbenumberedorreproducedanymorethanyoucannumbertheleavesoftheforest,orfindtwoexactlysimilarunitsamongthem.
　　Thusthefullmeaningorinterpretationofdreamscannotbefullydemonstratedthroughmentalorevenspiritualstereotypes.
　　Butbytheintelligentuseofthisbookyouwillbeabletotraceoutalmostanydreamcombinationandarriveatthetruenatureofitsportent.
　　Awisedoctor,inpreparingmedicineforapatient,considerswellhisage,temperamentandhispresentcondition.
　　Soshouldtheinterpreterofdreamsponderwellthementalstate,thehealth,habitsandtemperamentofthedreamer.
　　Thesethingsnoonecanknowsowellasthedreamerhimself.
　　He,therefore,withtheaidofthisbook,willbeabletointerprethisdreamsbythelightthatisinhim.
　　Manisthemicrocosmoraminiatureworld.Hehasasoulandmentalfirmament,boundedbythestellardustandthemilkyway,andfilledwiththemysteryofsuns,satellitesandstars.
　　Thesehecanstudybestbytheastronomyofinductionandintrospection.
　　Hehasalsoaphysicalplane,diversifiedbyoceans,lakes,rivers,fertilevalleys,wasteplacesandmountains.
　　Allareincosmicinterdependencyastheyareinthemacrocosm.
　　Herereststhemysteryofbeing——thegrandestofsubjects!
　　Thestudentisnolessbewilderedandawedthanthegeologistwhogropesblindlythroughtheseamsoftheearthsearchingforlinksintheinfinitechainofknowledge,ortheastronomersweepingtheheavensofthemacrocosminquestofnewphenomena.
　　Thetwoplanesaredependentuponeachother.Itisthesmileordiseaseofthefirmamentthatblessesordiseasestheearth.
　　Itislikewisetheimpurefirmamentofthemicrocosmthatdiseasesthebodyandsoul.Ifitreflectsthedroughtofthoughtorthevariousstatesofevil,desertswillenlarge,forestofinfectious,venomousgrowthwillformthehabitationoflustandmurder.
　　Beforegreatmoralorphysicalrevolutionsorcatastrophesoccur,cloudswilldarkenthehorizonofthedreammind;stormswillgather,luridflamesoflightningwillflashtheirvolatileanger;
　　theexplosivethunderwillrecklesslycarryonitsbombardment;
　　bellswillring,strangeknockingwillbeheard——symbolsofamessage——
　　phantomformswillbeseen,familiarvoiceswillcallandpleadwithyou,unknownvisitorswillthreatenyou,unearthlystruggleswithhideousgiantsandagoniesofmindandbodywillpossessyou;
　　malformationsofthemosthideoustypewillseizeyourvision;
　　shroudedinsheetsofawhitishvapor,evanescentspecters,withpallidfaceandofwarningcountenance,willclingaroundyou,andcontagionandfaminewillleavetheirdesolateimpressupontheflowerofhealthandinthefieldofplenty.Thusallofuswouldbenightlywarnedinourcircleorminiatureworldifwewoulddevelopsubjectivestrengthtoretaintheimpressionsleftuponourdreammind.Butinspiteofallreasonandconscience——
　　inspiteoftheinductiveknowledgereceivedthroughoursenses——
　　wegoonfromdaytoday,andstepbystep,feedingoursoulonthelusciousfruitoftheoutwardsenses,untiltherankweedsofsefishness{sic}havechokedoutallotherforces.
　　Thusthesoulisfilledwiththoughtimagesthatassumetheformofviciousanimals,homelyvisagedfowls,rabidandsnarlingcatsanddogs,leprousandvirileserpents,cankerouslizards,slimyintestineworms,hairyandmaliciousinsects.
　　Theyaregeneratedbygreed,envy,jealousy,covetousness,backbiting,amorouslongingsandotherimpurethoughts.Withthesoulfilledwiththisconglomerationofvirusandfilth,whydoubtahellanditscounterpartcondition,orexpectthedayornighttobringhappiness?
　　Ifevilthoughtswillinfestthesoulwithravenousmicrobes,goodthoughtsanddeedswillstarveandsuppresstheiractivity,andcreateaheaventosupplantthem.Withthisgrandandeternaltruthinview,manshouldeverthinkkindlyofthoseabouthim,controlhistemperinwordandaction,seekhisown,thinkthebestofthoughts,studytorelievetheworthypoor,seeksolaceinthedepthofbeing,andletgentlenessandmeeknesscharacterizehislife.
　　Thenwillhesowtheseedsofapresentandfutureheaven.
　　Hisdaythoughtsandhisnightthoughtsinharmonywillpointwithunerringforecasttoapeacefulend.Spiritualandhelpfulwarningswillfalluponthedreammind,asgentlyasdewupontheflowersandassoftlyasamother'skissuponthelipsoflove.
　　Whenourexternallivesareguidedbytheforceswithin,sweetarethewordsandmessagesfromourownspirit;
　　forthosewhoaretrulyblessedarethosewhoseekdivinelovethroughthechannelsoftheirinnerworldofconsciousness.
　　{illust.caption=ADIAGRAMGIVINGTHETHEORYOFTHISBOOK,ANDTHERELATIONSHIPBETWEENTHEMICROCOSMANDTHEMACROCOSM.
　　FRAGMENTARYTHOUGHTSFROMDREAMREALMS:}
　　Manisalittlecircleorworldcomposedoftheinfinitesimalatomsthrownofffromthegreatcircleorparentworld,andfittingintohisplaceinthezoneoflife.Ifintherevolutionsofthegreatcirclehecatchesmorematerialheincreaseshiscircletoobjectiveorsubjectivegrowth:
　　ifheabsorbsspiritualormindatomsastheyfallfromthegreatbodyofcreativesource,heenlargesorcontractshisowncircleaccordingtotheassimilationofthefoodhereceivesfromtheparent.
　　Itisoptionalwithmantoobtainspiritualormaterialmannaasitisdisseminatedthroughoutexistence.Tofeedonmaterialdietalone,contractsanddistortsthecircleoftheman;
　　butafullcomprehensionoftheneedsofthecircle,aproperdenialofsupplytosomeofthecompounds,togetherwithatendercareofotherparts,willroundoutthewholeintoaperfectphysicalandmentalcircleoflife.
　　Dissentiousandconflictingresultsshouldbeavoidedincomputingthelengthandbreadthofthecompoundedcircleofman'sindividualworld.
　　Objectivelifeisoneofthesmallestcompoundsinreallife.
　　Dreamlifeisfullerofmeaningandteachingoftheinner,orGodlife,thanistheexteriorlifeofman.Themindreceiveseducationfromcommuningwiththedreamcompositioninthegreatcircle.
　　Consultwithyourwholenatureorcirclebeforebeginningaseriouswork;
　　partialconsultations,ormaterialadviceonly,oftenbringsdefeatofobjectssought,whenatruehomecounselwouldhavebroughtsuccessandconsequenthappiness.
　　Manshouldliveinhissubjectiverealmsandstudymorehisrelationtoothercompositionsorcircles;thusfructifyingandmakingbeautifulhisownworldthroughintercoursewithotherswhohaveworkedinthegreatstorehouseofsubjectivity,andwhohaveclimbedalreadyfromthebasementintothelightofspiritualsunshine.
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　　AFEWQUESTIONSANDSUBJECTIVEANSWERSREGARDINGDREAMS.
　　QUESTION——Whatisadream?
　　ANSWER——Adreamisaneventtranspiringinthatworldbelongingtothemindwhentheobjectivesenseshavewithdrawnintorestoroblivion.
　　Thenthespiritualmanislivingaloneinthefutureoraheadofobjectivelifeandconsequentlylivesman'sfuturefirst,developingconditionsinawaythatenableswakingmantoshapehisactionsbywarnings,soastomakelifeaperfectexistence.
　　Q——Whatrelationshipissustainedbetweentheaveragemanandhisdreams?
　　A——Adreamtotheaverageorsensualperson,bearsthesamerelationtohisobjectivelifethatitmaintainedinthecaseoftheidealdreamer,butitmeanspleasures,sufferingsandadvancementsonalowerormaterialplane.
　　Q——Thenwhyismannotalwaysabletocorrectlyinterprethisdreams?
　　A——Justaswordsfailsometimestoexpressideas,sodreamsfailsometimesintheirmindpicturestoportraycomingevents.
　　Q——Iftheyrelatetothefuture,whyisitwesooftendreamofthepast?
　　A——Whenapersondreamsofpastevents,thoseeventsarewarningsofevilorgood;sometimestheyarestampedsoindeliblyuponthesubjectivemindthattheleasttendencyofthewakingmindtothepastthrowsthesepicturesinreliefonthedreamconsciousness.
　　Q——Whyisitthatpresentenvironmentsofteninfluenceourdreams?
　　A——Becausethefutureofmanisusuallyaffectedbythepresent,soifhemarsthepresentbywilfulwrongs,ormakesitbrightbyrightlivingitwillnecessarilyhaveinfluenceonhisdreams,astheyareforecastingsofthefuture.
　　Q——Whatisanapparition?
　　A——Itisthesubjectivemindstoredwiththewisdomgainedfromfuturity,andinitsstrenuouseffortstowarnitspresenthabitation——
　　thecorporalbody——ofdangersjustahead,takesontheshapeofadearoneasthemosteffectivemethodofimpartingthisknowledge.
　　Q——Howdoessubjectivitydealwithtime?
　　A——Thereisnopastandfuturetosubjectivity.
　　Itisallonelivingpresent.
　　Q——Ifthatisso,whycan'tyoutellusaccuratelyofourfutureasyoudoofourpast?
　　A——Becauseeventsarelikeaprocession;theypassafewatatimeandcastashadowonsubjectiveminds,andthosewhichhavepassedbeforethewakingmindarefeltbyothermindsalsoandnecessarilymakeamorelastingimpressiononthesubjectivemind.
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　　Q——Toillustrate:Apersononretiringorclosinghiseyeshadafaceappeartohim,theforeheadwellformedbutthelowerpartsdistorted.
　　Explainthisphenomenon?
　　A——Achangedstatefromperfectsleeporwakingpossessedhim.
　　Now,theman'sfacewasonlytheexpressionofhisrealthoughtsandthestateofhisbusinesscombined.
　　Histhoughtswerestrongandhealthy,buthisbusinessfagging,hencehisownspiritisnotaperfectlikenessofhisownsoul,asittakeseveryatomofearthlycompositionperfectlynormaltoreproduceaperfectspiritpictureofthesoulormortalman.
　　Hewouldhaveseenatruelikenessofhimselfhadconditionsbeenfavorable;thusamanknowswhenacompletewholeishisportion.Studytomakesurroundingsalwaysharmonious.
　　Lifeisonlybeingperfectlycarriedonwhentheseconditionsareinunison.
　　HOWTODEVELOPTHEPOWERTODREAM.
　　Keepthemindclearandasfreefrommaterialrubbishasispossibleandgotosleepinanegativeconditionthiswill,ofcourse,havetobecultivatedbythesubject.Apersoncan,ifhewill,completelyrelaxhismindandbodytothereceptivemoodrequiredfordreamstoappearasrealities,ortrueexplanationsoffutureevents.
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　　Todreamyouareconversingwithadeadrelative,andthatrelativeendeavorstoextractapromisefromyou,warnsyouofcomingdistressunlessyoufollowtheadvicegiven.
　　Disastrousconsequencescouldbeavertedifmindscouldgrasptheinnerworkingsandsightofthehigherorspiritualself.
　　Thevoiceofrelativesisonlythathigherselftakingformtoapproachmoredistinctlythemindthatlivesnearthematerialplane.
　　Thereissolittlecongenialitybetweencommonormaterialnaturesthatpersonsshoulddependmorelargelyupontheirownsubjectivityfortruecontentmentandpleasure.
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　　DREAMSEXAGGERATED.
　　Thewillissuspendedduringsleep,sothedreammindismoreapreytoexcitabilitythanthewakingmind.
　　Thuswhenimagesappearuponthedreamvisiontheyarefrequentlydistortedintohideousmalformationsthatfillitwithfearandexcitement.
　　CONTRARYDREAMS.
　　Theconstantdwellingoftheminduponcertainthingsdistortstheirshapesuponsubjectivity,thusthrowingdreamsinexactlyoppositechannelstothewakingreality.Yetthedreameralwaysfeelsasenseofbeingawakeindreamslikethese,andonawakeningexperiencesnorecuperationofmindorbodyaftersuchcontrarydreams,Sleepisnotfullysustainedwhilethedreamerisheldbymaterialideasinthesubjectivestate.
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　　WHENDREAMSARELESSPRESCIENT.
　　Thecessationoftheorganstoperformhealthfulfunctionsconvertsamanintoadifferentperson,anddreamswhileinthisstatewouldhavenopropheticmeaning,unlesstowarnthedreamerofthisdisorganizationofhisphysicalsystem.
　　Dreamsaresymbolsusedbysubjectivitytoimpresstheobjectiveormaterialmindwithasenseofcominggoodorevil.Subjectivityisthespiritualpartofman.Thesoulisthatcircleofmanlyingjustoutsidethegrossmaterialityandpartakinglargelyofit.
　　Allthoughtsanddesiresenterfirstthesoulormaterialmindandthencastthemselvesonthespirit.Frequentlythesoulbecomessofilledwithmaterialorpresentideas,thatthespiritualsymbolsarecrowdedout,andthenitisthatdreamsseentobecontrary.
　　Materialsubjectivity,thatis,allthoughtsandideasemanatingfrommaterialsources,gotomakeupthiscircle;thenthemindcatchesupthebetterthoughtsofthissectionandweavesthemintoabroaderandmorecomprehensivepower,sustainingtheownerinhisownjudgment.
　　Andstillanothercircleisformedofthefinercompoundofthis,whichisspiritualsubjectivity,orthehighestelementofintelligencereachedbyman.[Thiscircleis``thespiritualman''andrelatesinsubstancetothespiritualsoulofthemacrocosmoruniverse.
　　Itbecomesstrongorweakaswerecognizeorfailtorecognizeitasafactorofbeing.Theprocessofspiritualdevelopmentissimilartothatofthevegetableandanimalkingdoms.
　　Thetreesontheouterrimoftheforestaremorecapableofresistingthewindthanthosemoretothecenter,byreasonoftheirexposuretostorms;therootshavepenetratedwithdoublestrengthfarintotheearth,andthebranchesarebracedwithtoughenedbarkandcloselyknittedligaments.
　　Thesamemaybesaidoftheanimalkingdom.Themindisdevelopedbyvigorousexercisejustasarelikewisethemusclesofthebody.
　　Themorethesearecultivatedbydrawingfromtheirparentalaffinitiesinthemacrocosm,themoreknowledgeorpowertheytakeon.
　　Thusasamansimulatesinthoughtandactionanape,atiger,agoat,asnakeoralambhetakesontheircharacteristicsandisswayedbylikeinfluencestoenmity,meekness,covetousnessandavariciousness.
　　Toillustratefurther.Ifheiscunninghedrawsonthefoxofthemicrocosmandbecomes,inactionandthought,likethatanimal.
　　Ifselfishnesssurvives,thehogprincipleisarousedfromitslatentcellsinthemicrocosmandheisdominatedbymaterialappetites.
　　Inasimilarwayhemayperceivethespiritualinhimself.
　　Nature'slaws,withalltheirnumberlessandintricateramificationsaresimpleintheirharmonyofprocessanduniformityofpurposewhenappliedtothephysicalandethicaldevelopmentsofman.]
　　Possibilitiesforinnerimprovementsorexpansionsrestwithmaterialman.
　　Ifheentertainsgrossdesirestotheexclusionofspiritualgerms,hewilldwarfanddegradehigheraspirations,andthusdeprivesubjectivespiritualityofherrightfulpossessions.
　　****
　　Nature,incompoundingthematerialsforthecreationofthedeafman,inadvertentlydroppedtheingredientsound,hencemakinganimperfectbeing;
　　andsound,beingthusforeigntohisnature,hecanonlybeapproachedbysignsevenindreams.Subjectivityusesnature'sforces,whileanormalpersonusesdreamstoworkonhiswakingconsciousness.
　　Asitisimpossibletousewitheffectafactorwhichamandoesnotnaturallypossess,adeafmanrarelyeverdreamsofsound,orablindmanoflight.
　　****
　　TWODREAMSARENEVERTHESAME,NORARETWOFLOWERSEVERALIKE.
　　Whateversymbolisusedtoimpressthedreameristheonewhichislikelytowarnhimmoredefinitelythananyother.
　　Notwopersonsbeingeverinthesamestateatthesametime,thesamesymbolswouldhardlyconveyidenticalimpressions;
　　neitherwillthesamedreambeaseffectiveinallcasesofbusinessorlovewiththesamedreamer.
　　Aperson'sdreamperceptionwavers,muchasitdoesinwakinghours.
　　Youfailtofindthesamefragranceintheroseatalltimes,thoughthesameinfluencesseeminglysurroundyou;andthusitisthatdifferentdreamsmustbeusedfordifferentpersonstoconveythesamemeaning.
　　Creation,confidentofherpowertoperfectherdesigns,doesnotresorttothatmonotonyinherwork,whichmightresultweretheperceptionofman,orthepetalsandfragranceofflowerscastfromonestereotypedmoldofintelligence,beautyorsweetness.
　　Thisvarietyofschemerunsthroughallcreation.
　　Youthinkyouhaveidenticaldreams,butthereisalwayssomevariation,evenifitbesomethingdreamedimmediatelyover.
　　Natureisnosluggardandisforeverchanginghercompounds,sothatthereisboundtobechangeinthedetailsevenofdreams.
　　Thischangewouldnotmateriallyaffecttheapproachofhappinessorsorrowindifferentpeople,andhencethesamedreamsarereliableforall.
　　Personsofthesameorsimilartemperamentwillbemoredeeplyimpressedbyacertaindreamthanwouldpeopletheiropposite;
　　andthoughthedreamcannotbethesameindetailyetitisapparentlythesame,justastwolikeflowersarecalledroses,thoughtheyarenotidentical.
　　Ifayoungwomantwenty-fiveandagirloffifteenshouldeachhaveadreamofmarriage,thesamedefinitionwouldapplytoeach,justthesameasiftheywouldeachapproachaflowerandsmellofitdifferently.
　　Differentinfluenceswillpossessthemunconsciously,thoughtheoutwardappearancebethesame.
　　Ayoungwomanofacertainageiswarnedinadreamoftroublelikelytobefallher,whileanotherofsimilarageandthreatenedtroubleiswarnedalso,butindifferentsymbols,whichshefailstograspandbringbacktowakingexistence,andshethusbelievesshehashadnowarningdream.
　　Therearethoseintheworldwholacksubjectivestrength,materialorspiritual,andhencetheyfailtoreceivedreams,howeversymbolic,becausethereisnopowerwithinthemtoretaintheseimpressions.
　　Therearemanyreasonsforthisloss,uttermaterialgross-ness,wantofmemory,physicalweaknessuncoupledfromextremenervousness,andtotallackoffaithinanywarningorrevelationpurportingorcomingfromthedreamconsciousness.
　　Todreamatnightandthefollowingdayhavethethingdreamedofactuallytakeplace,orcomebeforeyournotice,isnotallegorical.
　　Itisthehigherorspiritualsenselivingorgraspingtheimmediatefutureaheadofthephysicalmind.Thespiritualbodyisalwaysfirsttocomeintocontactwiththeapproachingfuture;
　　itispresentwithit,whilestillfuturetothephysicalbody.
　　Thereisnoreasonwhymanshouldnotgraspcomingeventsearlier,onlyhedoesnotcultivateinnersightashedoeshisoutersenses.
　　Theallegoricalisusedbecausemanweakenshisspiritualforcebycateringtothematerialsenses.
　　Heclingstothepleasuresandwoesofthematerialworldtotheexclusionofspirituality.
　　WHAT'SINADREAM.
　　A.
　　``_WhenhewassetdownontheJudgmentseat,hiswifesentuntohim,saying,`Havethounothingtodowiththatjustman;
　　forIhavesufferedmanythingsthisdayinadream,becauseofhim_.'
　　''——Matthewxxvii,19.
　　_Abandon_.