clearly a dilemma

The imagery of a recent dream was hazy…almost nonexistent…

But what I thought and felt in the dream was clear.  So I got the message.

In the dream…

I create a blog entry that’s an expression of beauty.

Then I see a news story about an action taken by some political leaders.  What they’ve done is outrageous—beyond the pale!

I consider cancelling my blog entry.  It seems incongruous to talk about beauty at such a time.  Shouldn’t I write a thoughtful response to that news story instead?

I usually go by this rule: the characters in our dreams represent inner aspects.  But there are exceptions.  So are those political leaders actually a part of me?

I’m not sure, but this much I do know: the dream is asking me to confront a dilemma.  A dilemma of my waking life:

I want to create honest expressions of beauty.  Unconventional expressions of unconventional beauty.  A worthy goal, I believe—don’t we need more beauty in our lives? 

However…

…every day I’m provoked by new events that aren’t so beautiful.  Shouldn’t I respond in some way? 

But if I do, wouldn’t I be taking time and energy away from my other creative work?  Maybe I should maintain focus.

That said, I don’t like the idea of limiting myself.  Didn’t Shelley write political tracts?

Perhaps the answer is:

I can protest the outrageous callousness of our world through expressions of spiritual beauty. 

At this point, I’m still considering my options.  So the dilemma remains unresolved… 

But at least I can no longer ignore it—thanks to this dream.

Get the Message: a short guide for understanding dreams
sky rope poetry blog
myth steps blog
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© 2024, Michael R. Patton

getting the general message

In a recent dream, I’m going up an extremely steep hill. 

I’m no stranger to steep hills.  A few years back, I drove to the top of a nearly-vertical incline in two separate dreams.  Two nerve-wracking struggles! 

In this recent dream…

I begin to walk up a steep road under construction.  Roadwork equipment has cut a swath up a grassy hill. 

The incline is close to vertical, so I must strain.  But I don’t dare stop to rest—I don’t want to lose what little momentum I’ve mustered. 

Finally, I reach the top.  I then enter a little hut where the workmen have gathered for a coffee break. 

In the earlier dreams, I was also afraid to stop—I feared my car might slide backward if I did.

In both, when I reached the top, the road was level and smooth.  So, I received a well-earned break for my efforts. 

Well, nothing lasts forever.  Once again, I’m faced with a steep challenge.  But the situation is different.  Before I was driving a road laid out for me.  Now, I’m constructing the road on which I tread.

Hard work.  But not as scary as those vertical drives.  After all, I’m walking.  I’m connected to the earth.  “Well-grounded.” 

If there’s a problem in the dream, maybe it’s this: I’m too anxious—I won’t stop to rest and enjoy the view. 

On the other hand…

…I am willing to take a break when I’ve reached the top.

So what waking life situation does this dream refer to?  What “road” am I constructing?

I’m not sure right now.  But in the dream this general fact is shown clearly:

I doubt I have the strength to get where I need to go.

At times, I sense that doubt stalking me.  Hopefully next time, I’ll remember this dream and feel a little more confident.  After all, by now I know: dreams don’t lie.

Get the Message: a short guide for understanding dreams
sky rope poetry blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton

clearly, a dilemma

The imagery of recent dream wasn’t very clear…

But the thoughts and feelings were clear.  So I got the message.

In the dream…

I create a blog entry that’s an expression of beauty.

Then I see a news story.  Ultra-conversative leaders have done something outrageous—beyond the pale. 

I feel I should write another entry—a thoughtful response to their unconscionable action. 

Then I wonder: should I now cancel my entry on beauty?  It seems incongruous to talk about beauty at such a time. 

I usually see a dream character as an inner aspect.  So maybe those ultra-conservative bigwigs are part of my shadow. 

I’m not discounting that possibility.  But dreams can have more than one level of meaning.  And what I see immediately in the dream is this waking-life dilemma:

I want to create honest expressions of beauty.  Unconventional expressions of unconventional beauty.  A worthy goal—don’t we need to see more beauty?  However…

…I’m distracted—there are many other issues that provoke me as well.  Issues that seem more important than our need to experience beauty.

I still haven’t resolved this dilemma… 

But at least I can no longer ignore it—thanks to this dream.

Get the Message: a short guide for understanding dreams
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton