What if dreams were real and consciousness was not?
Both are products of our Mind and in their moment they are both real, yet they are singularly different. With consciousness I am fed by my senses, tangible evidence that can be tested and verified, but only within its own perception. Trends and patterns emerge that add further proof of reality, but these too, will change with time and circumstance. I’m also aware that my mind can and does deceive me on occasions. The material world I live in, is far from stable and enduring, in fact it is in constant change in every dimension.
In dreams, however, I’m liberated from time and space constraints, the material components. I retain my identity but with new-found freedoms. Here, it’s the spiritual aspects that prevail and I experience events with the full range of my emotions, which are also part of my consciousness, but without the encumbrance of my physical restraints. There’s no physical pain, no material limitations, or restrictions; I am seemingly timeless, ageless, unbounded, and ascendant.
As I attempt to grow in my material life though, my focus is drawn to materiality. The ‘A’s have it – Appearance, Affluence, Achievement, Acceptance, Autonomy and Ambition, all physical or material issues. The part I carry in my dreams is beyond my attention, unrecognized and undervalued in my interactions with others. Yet, the primary spiritual issues of faith, hope, and love, in their expressive forms of Compassion, Connectedness, Creativity or Constructiveness, Caring and Custody, Contribution and Consensus – the ‘C’ list – are substantial indeed.
The societies we’ve created to serve us reflect an ‘A’ bias. There’s immediate and direct support whenever we’re threatened materially but when the issue is on ‘C’ list issues we are left to fend for ourselves. Whenever you invade my body’s integrity or my personal possessions the law will intervene, with or without my consent. Should you deliberately destroy my reputation, integrity or aspirations – my spirit, the powers-that-be will not hold you to account – only me!
This material aspect of me though, is impermanent, destined for a course of three-score plus ten years. At this point I don’t know whether my spirit will endure beyond this, perhaps death is just a permanent dream state, perhaps it is more, or less. What I do know however, is that I can accomplish considerably greater and lasting benefits in this life through engaging spirit – the ‘C’ list, as opposed to relying on materiality – the ‘A’ list, alone.
Should I focus my individual growth as a human being on this aspect of my human ‘becoming’? As I observe Nature in all its glory, I see overwhelming evidence of the tendency towards perfection through balance and progressive cycles. This is a dynamic balancing which accommodates external pressures and the demands of change. Am I currently in reasonable balance given my circumstances?
What would be my preferred first step in becoming all that I can be?
Nine Paths to Wisdom offers some useful insights.
