Gaia: The Dream Garden

Keep it down!

http://markbukator.gaia.com — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:07:37 GMT

Shhhh! Keep it down in here. I'm trying to dream. You guys are just way too chatty. Lol!

What's going on? Has everyone stopped dreaming?

- Mark -

Re: Pinned by a Unicorn

http://thepixellator.gaia.com — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:19:18 GMT

I hadn't considered the question of color of the unicorn when I awoke that day. I hadn't rebuked myself at all for the reference to loss of innocence or impurity.

Thanks for reminding me that kitchen and eating scenes represent spiritual growth; I had forgotten that, though I knew it at one point.

Yes, it was an overall feeling of elation, so the dream was positive.

Recently I realized that this dream is quite a field day for Freudian analysts. Consider the father reference, then the phallic symbol of the horn, then the physical contact between the unicorn and me, and there's quite a recipe for misinterpretation from third party evaluators. So, for all readers, it is the dreamer's interpretation that counts most to bring meaning to these dreams. Take all other advice with a grain of salt!

Re: Pinned by a Unicorn

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:40:09 GMT

Thanks Jess, I am pleased to hear about the way you are approaching life - it is not how life is treating us that matters but how we treat life as it unfolds for us.

Don't be over critical of yourself apropos of the brown colour as there are degrees of "impurity" as we know and none of us is "lily white"!!! For instance, the restaurant and eating could symbolise knowledge and, through that, spiritual growth. Also, the brown did not seem to be dark and, hence, indicates mildness.
Since the overall feeling you had was one of elation I feel the dream is a very positive one with the "negative" symbolism more descriptive that essential.
Nevertheless, it is your interpretation that counts.

Re: Pinned by a Unicorn

http://thepixellator.gaia.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:53:55 GMT

I remembered a thread in another group where unicorns are mentioned briefly
as an animal totem:
Unicorn Purity, innocence, dreamer, personal power, gentle

With this interpretation, I could say that an off white unicorn would indicate I don't feel so innocent anymore. And, I'm putting much more emphasis on my future dreams, and I also feel I've collected my own personal power. During my twenties I always felt like a child inside an adult's body. Now that I'm nearing 40, I do feel my personal power gaining in intensity.

That was a great question Ian. I haven't been around to answer your interesting threads I see you've recently posted. I've simply been busy with lots of other details in my life and haven't seen the activity here.

Re: Pinned by a Unicorn

http://thepixellator.gaia.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:45:02 GMT

I would say that the white color of the fur indicates the purity associated with unicorns. Since the unicorn in my dream was a light brown, I suppose that would indicate I view myself as impure or corrupted in some way. The same would stand for its horn being that of a goat's "fake unicorn horn". It represents impurity. But still, even with these impurities, the emotion of pure joy could come through its heart into mine. Joy can exist no matter what.

Re: Pinned by a Unicorn

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:55:11 GMT

Thanks Jess - very interesting.
I have often wondered what the spiritual significance of the unicorn is; it being a thing of interest to so many people. I cannot recall seeing a representation of a nasty unicorn anywhere. They all seem to be graceful and very evocative of the positive.
Also, I do not recall seeing any colour other than white - or perhaps light blue; is this the case or do they appear in various colours? If so, what is the significance of the various colours?
Ian.

Pinned by a Unicorn

http://thepixellator.gaia.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:34:59 GMT

I'd just like to share this dream for fun, as it left me happy. As a quick backgrounder, I used to collect unicorn memorabilia as a preteen, and at that time I read fantasy novels where unicorns were a symbol of purity, healing, and magic.

----
part 1: I was at a reunion for workers who were together at the same dot com internet company before the dot com bust had to lay us all off. I couldn't recognize the people I'd worked with just ten years before, because they had all aged at least 20 years.

part 2: I was sitting in a crowded restaurant at a table with a girlfriend. She shared with me something like this: "You know I'm so glad I learned life lessons from my father. The best life lesson I learned from him was "you are what you eat". I can't wait to see him again."
I said, "At least you got to learn from your father. Unlike me. I got to the age of 18 and packed up, moved out and started learning from strangers." I had the feeling I could say so so much more about her lesson of "you are what you eat" and I wanted to talk about it with enthusiasm.

Then a brown unicorn entered the restaurant from the front door. Its coat was light brown, solid color. Its size was like that of normal horses -the back even with my shoulder or head. Its horn was short and loosely twisted, like the kind I've seen on mini unicorns at the renaissance festival (goats bred to have their horns twisted in the center of their head).

At first it walked purposefully towards me and I thought it might impale me. I had to turn around to see it coming. It approached me quickly from behind and pushed my body onto the table (I was still sitting in my chair). It stuck its horn into the table, pinning me down. Its heart beat against my back and started transferring emotion to me. I felt so happy, I started to whinny like a horse! My heart was jumping with pure joy.

I wanted someone to take my camera from the table and take a picture of me with the unicorn but no one did. I think the people in the restaurant were watching us and they tried taking photos; I was nervous the flash would scare away the unicorn, but no flashes went off.

Continuation of my "Holyrood" thematic dream.

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:40:16 GMT

Yesterday just before awakening.
Here is the final part* of a dream I had at a time that I seemed to have had a few minor doubts/challenges. I know what this means but decline to comment :-)

[Preamble: In the dream I was again manager of the plantation of which this was the manager's house. There was only the interior in the dream and in some areas walls and floors had been re-plastered and the plumbing relaid with a 75 mm diameter pipe bring water to the place. That is a very big pipe!]

*I picked up some belongings and walked toward my suite in this magnificent house and found myself in a 7m wide, 20 m long hallway leading to the suite. I stopped in awe as almost the entire area of walls and ceilings was covered in predominantly red tapestries and carpets of unbelievable richness and beauty. The carpets and tapestries were gold and yellows in addition to the predominant reds.

NOTES
1. Later, I was reminded of the Biblical, "In my father's house there are many mansions." because this was certainly such a building!
2. Those familiar with this thematic dream of mine will know that all the houses have been large and well appointed and often under refurbishment.
3. Anyone interested in the significance of these houses as symbols for me can have a look at the "Manager's Bungalows" section of the Photo Album in The History of Ceylon Tea web site whose URL http://www.historyofceylontea.com/photo-album.html
You can browse without joining.
I used to manage plantations and some of my bungalows are depicted as well as many others.

Ian's method of meditation.

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:39:28 GMT

For what it may be worth to anyone here this is how I have meditated since 1986 - with a few refinements along the way.

Meditation
Everyone benefits from meditation. Even those who practice it solely for physical and/or mental reasons benefit by the positive changes that occur in attitudes and emotions.There are many different types and methods of meditation and aspirants should select what best suits them or what attracts them most. The important thing is to start and then persist. One may be progressively 'self-guided' to what is most suitable according to one's need and degree of vibration i.e. degree of enlightenment. Some meditation focuses on attaining peace of mind and bodily health; some call for focusing the mind on some specific problem, thought or aspect of something; part of Buddhist meditation is to keep the focus at all times on what one is doing in the moment; and another calls for completely clearing the mind of everything and “entering the void”. As I see it, the last mentioned is the 'deepest' meditation, the one that opens the practitioner to his or her greatest potential, whatever that may be in accordance with the individual's state of being and state of mind.Meditation is not an end in itself, it is a disciplinary process that clears the mind of all the mind's creations, thus opening the way to Absolute Reality, the Truth, or the Great Spirit - all the same. One may say that Absolute Reality is where all is known, but this would be incorrect because, firstly, 'where' suggests a place or point and it is neither; and secondly, “all is known” suggests a quantifiable sum of knowledge which it is not.
ψ
One way to achieve deep meditation.
The best time is at around dawn, when there is stillness in the air. The best environment is solitude and quiet. However, where the time is concerned, it is not always possible to do this at dawn or at the same time each day but, whatever the time, it is best if the meditation is done each time at the same point in the habitual sequence of events. Best results are obtained when one meditates when the body and mind are conditioned by a habitual pattern leading up to meditation and at a time before the commencement of the day’s main mental and physical activities.
1. Choose a place, by trial and error if necessary, which meets the above criteria, a comfortable chair, or bed to sit on, or a place on the floor. You may sit cross-legged or, in the chair, with the legs extended on a support, or with the legs flexed. It is important to keep your back straight (but not stiff); you may support it if you wish. Place your hands loosely and comfortably in your lap with the fingers of one hand inside those of the other.
2. Get comfortable and relax. Loosen tight garments if any.
3. To assist relaxation, inhale deeply through the nose and exhale fully through the mouth. Do this three times, with the inhaling and exhaling being at moderate speed. Wiggle shoulders and neck if required to relax the muscles.
4. Close your eyes lightly but fully.
5. It helps if you have a sequence of prayers, an affirmation or a sequential visualization at this point. This will help you drift away from worldly thoughts.
6. Try to do your 'seeing' through the “third eye” (6th chakra). You may feel a sensation between, and just above, the eyebrows - this is normal, and indicates the effectiveness of what you are doing.If you see colours, or swirling coloured clouds, moving pinpoints of light etc. watch them peacefully for a bit and then 'take yourself behind them’, as if you were moving through a screen on which they were playing. You have to move beyond, or behind at some point.
7. If thoughts keep flitting across your mind or try to get your attention - the purpose of meditation is to still the mind - do not fight them, just gently 'see yourself' gently picking them up and putting them away outside your 'area of vision', or give them to your god or Master, or put them gently into a golden box; any symbolic receptacle - keep on 'looking' beyond what is in front of you, going deeper and deeper - you may be aware of thoughts around you at the edge of where you are; gently ignore them - eventually, there will be 'nothing', 'stillness' - the void. Do not stress.
8. Stay in the void for as long as happens. With practice this period will get longer. Let it take its course.
9. Next you will 'wake up', perhaps slowly, and time has passed although it felt like a few minutes, if that.
You have been meditating!
Ω

(i) Do not look for results because that is negative and counterproductive - just let changes occur. You will soon notice them.
(ii) One's motive in meditating should be pure and the activity free of expectation as expectation is a creation of the mind and a movement in the opposite direction to meditation. Purity in motive means being devoid of seeking power over others, self aggrandizement, monetary gain, curiosity, expectation - anything negative. In other words one's purpose should be to humbly seek spiritual growth. Impure motivation blocks the channels of access available through meditation.
(iii) It is said that twenty minutes of meditation is equivalent to eighty minutes of sleep. I certainly never felt deprived of sleep when I got up early to meditate.
(iv) A word of caution - it is dangerous to attempt this activity without the proper attitude. One should be serious about it and not attempt it as a playful experiment or with the assistance of drugs. As has been said earlier we are a tripartite entity of electromagnetic energy and a frivolous approach that releases the kundalini force is like plugging a 240-volt appliance into a high voltage power source; mental and/or physical burnout can occur. Be respectful.

Notes:
1. Use the same place and position for each meditation and, if you are away somewhere, visualise your usual place and position so as to minimize the effects of the change.
2. Keeping the eyes open is possible but this could be too distracting.
3. Provided you are comfortable with it you may use this affirmation whilst visualizing each line:

As the droplet is to the ocean, I am.
As the lick of flame is to the fire, I am.
As the sunbeam is to sunlight, I am.
As the Great Spirit is, I am.

As you silently state each of these four sub-affirmations, visualise and understand the description and affirm it with the “I am.”The three sub-affirmations illustrate symbolically our oneness with The Great Spirit - the droplet, lick of flame and sunbeam are each separate, but part of, the ocean, fire and sunlight; and the three illustrations are in ascending order in terms of density, or vibration, and lead 'up' to the last sub-affirmation of “As the Great Spirit is, I am.” [See this affirmation etc. in my journal.]
4. Sequential Visualisation: For example - You are in a beautiful garden and you move yourself through it, going deeper and deeper into it. Or, you are in a boat at the shore and move further and further out towards, and even beyond, the horizon.

PS. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask.

Re: Star Elder

http://rhythmaware.gaia.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:53:28 GMT

It is a beautiful dream! This time seems to be growing near. Look into Native Prophecy around the times we are in, if you have not already, you probably have. The Hopi may have useful insights. Whatever is exposed in your inquiry is yours to keep. I am grateful for your energy.

Bless.
(((~)))

Re: In need of some spirtual assistance

http://rhythmaware.gaia.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:47:02 GMT

Blessings on your journey. Your unique unfolding is your creation. There are those of us who will grace your path with seeds for your seed bank, they will sprout in relation to your divinely sustained emergence. Your willingness is your key to consciously letting go of the river bank and the realizations that will follow. Glad to be floating with you.

(((~)))

Re: Just a little one!

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:44:34 GMT

Hello everyone!
Here is an update to the dream entry posted on 20 August.

Since that date I came to realise that:
1. I am going to need new lenses for my two pairs of spectacles. $800±
2. Dentures = updating or new, $800 - $2000.

In the last 2 weeks:
1. My computer modem failed and a new one cost $ 101.
2. I developed an abscessed tooth requiring a root filling or extraction for which I have an appointment in two days time. $200 - $400.
3. An abscess has developed in another tooth. $200 - $400.

Total $3800± that I will require in the next three or so months.*

* Given time, this presents no problem to me as I save over $250 per fortnight from my pension and can call upon an advance against my pension, repayable over six months without interest.

Re: First meditation experience and feeling so joyful

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:46:54 GMT

Excellent Allyson . . . . . . and this is only the start!

For what it may be worth to you or anyone else here is how I have done it since 1986 - with a few refinements along the way.

Meditation
Everyone benefits from meditation. Even those who practice it solely for physical and/or mental reasons benefit by the positive changes that occur in attitudes and emotions.There are many different types and methods of meditation and aspirants should select what best suits them or what attracts them most. The important thing is to start and then persist. One may be progressively 'self-guided' to what is most suitable according to one's need and degree of vibration i.e. degree of enlightenment. Some meditation focuses on attaining peace of mind and bodily health; some call for focusing the mind on some specific problem, thought or aspect of something; part of Buddhist meditation is to keep the focus at all times on what one is doing in the moment; and another calls for completely clearing the mind of everything and "entering the void". As I see it, the last mentioned is the 'deepest' meditation, the one that opens the practitioner to his or her greatest potential, whatever that may be in accordance with the individual's state of being and state of mind.Meditation is not an end in itself, it is a disciplinary process that clears the mind of all the mind's creations, thus opening the way to Absolute Reality, the Truth, or the Great Spirit - all the same. One may say that Absolute Reality is where all is known, but this would be incorrect because, firstly, 'where' suggests a place or point and it is neither; and secondly, "all is known" suggests a quantifiable sum of knowledge which it is not.
ψ
One way to achieve deep meditation.
The best time is at around dawn, when there is stillness in the air. The best environment is solitude and quiet. However, where the time is concerned, it is not always possible to do this at dawn or at the same time each day but, whatever the time, it is best if the meditation is done each time at the same point in the habitual sequence of events. Best results are obtained when one meditates when the body and mind are conditioned by a habitual pattern leading up to meditation and at a time before the commencement of the day’s main mental and physical activities.
1. Choose a place, by trial and error if necessary, which meets the above criteria, a comfortable chair, or bed to sit on, or a place on the floor. You may sit cross-legged or, in the chair, with the legs extended on a support, or with the legs flexed. It is important to keep your back straight (but not stiff); you may support it if you wish. Place your hands loosely and comfortably in your lap with the fingers of one hand inside those of the other.
2. Get comfortable and relax. Loosen tight garments if any.
3. To assist relaxation, inhale deeply through the nose and exhale fully through the mouth. Do this three times, with the inhaling and exhaling being at moderate speed. Wiggle shoulders and neck if required to relax the muscles.
4. Close your eyes lightly but fully.
5. It helps if you have a sequence of prayers, an affirmation or a sequential visualization at this point. This will help you drift away from worldly thoughts.
6. Try to do your 'seeing' through the "third eye" (6th chakra). You may feel a sensation between, and just above, the eyebrows - this is normal, and indicates the effectiveness of what you are doing.If you see colours, or swirling coloured clouds, moving pinpoints of light etc. watch them peacefully for a bit and then 'take yourself behind them’, as if you were moving through a screen on which they were playing. You have to move beyond, or behind at some point.
7. If thoughts keep flitting across your mind or try to get your attention - the purpose of meditation is to still the mind - do not fight them, just gently 'see yourself' gently picking them up and putting them away outside your 'area of vision', or give them to your god or Master, or put them gently into a golden box; any symbolic receptacle - keep on 'looking' beyond what is in front of you, going deeper and deeper - you may be aware of thoughts around you at the edge of where you are; gently ignore them - eventually, there will be 'nothing', 'stillness' - the void. Do not stress.
8. Stay in the void for as long as happens. With practice this period will get longer. Let it take its course.
9. Next you will 'wake up', perhaps slowly, and time has passed although it felt like a few minutes, if that.
You have been meditating!
Ω

(i) Do not look for results because that is negative and counterproductive - just let changes occur. You will soon notice them.
(ii) One's motive in meditating should be pure and the activity free of expectation as expectation is a creation of the mind and a movement in the opposite direction to meditation. Purity in motive means being devoid of seeking power over others, self aggrandizement, monetary gain, curiosity, expectation - anything negative. In other words one's purpose should be to humbly seek spiritual growth. Impure motivation blocks the channels of access available through meditation.
(iii) It is said that twenty minutes of meditation is equivalent to eighty minutes of sleep. I certainly never felt deprived of sleep when I got up early to meditate.
(iv) A word of caution - it is dangerous to attempt this activity without the proper attitude. One should be serious about it and not attempt it as a playful experiment or with the assistance of drugs. As has been said earlier we are a tripartite entity of electromagnetic energy and a frivolous approach that releases the kundalini force is like plugging a 240-volt appliance into a high voltage power source; mental and/or physical burnout can occur. Be respectful.

Notes:
1. Use the same place and position for each meditation and, if you are away somewhere, visualise your usual place and position so as to minimize the effects of the change.
2. Keeping the eyes open is possible but this could be too distracting.
3. Provided you are comfortable with it you may use this affirmation whilst visualizing each line:

As the droplet is to the ocean, I am.
As the lick of flame is to the fire, I am.
As the sunbeam is to sunlight, I am.
As the Great Spirit is, I am.

As you silently state each of these four sub-affirmations, visualise and understand the description and affirm it with the "I am."The three sub-affirmations illustrate symbolically our oneness with The Great Spirit - the droplet, lick of flame and sunbeam are each separate, but part of, the ocean, fire and sunlight; and the three illustrations are in ascending order in terms of density, or vibration, and lead 'up' to the last sub-affirmation of "As the Great Spirit is, I am." [See this affirmation etc. in my journal.]
4. Sequential Visualisation: For example - You are in a beautiful garden and you move yourself through it, going deeper and deeper into it. Or, you are in a boat at the shore and move further and further out towards, and even beyond, the horizon.

PS. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask.

Re: First meditation experience and feeling so joyful

http://markbukator.gaia.com — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:10:04 GMT

Hi Allyson,

Welcome to The Dream Garden.

Mediation is indeed a very cool tool. It allows us to quiet the "mind monkeys" and to peer into the deeper recesses of the soul. I encourage you to continue to meditate and to explore the greater depths of wisdom and knowledge available to you in that state.

As an example, you can ask for clarity and clarification of your dreams, among other things.

- Mark -

First meditation experience and feeling so joyful

http://vitessedevasio.gaia.com — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:01:12 GMT

I just had my first real meditation experience and I felt so compelled to post about it. For years I have been wanting to start meditating but I was never sure how to get started or how to prepare myself for it. I finally just positioned myself and focused on each part of my body and felt each sensation until I felt a oneness with myself. I can honestly say it was such a gratifying experience to feel all of the positive energy coming from within my body. I felt as if I was lying in between heaven and earth. I am so grateful for finding my center and I will remember this for some time to come!

Re: teen romance dreams

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:50:41 GMT

Would you like to have other possible interpretations allowing for the fact that the dreamer is the best interpreter of their dreams - with, of course, the proviso that the interpretation has some knowledge behind it.
If you would I will move this to where it will be another post or you can delete it here , having copied it, and paste it as a new topic.

Re: teen romance dreams

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:10:40 GMT

I am not a teen.

For years and years I would have this same type of dream in my sleep. Not always the same exact dream, but the same type of dream. Not a frequent dream by any means, but a dream that repeated for a decade or more.

The dream was that I would meet a woman, usually young and nondescript, average appearance, slim and almost my height. Some had freckles, some were brunette, every dream was a different woman. But the theme was almost always the same. We would meet each other, spend some time together and then have our first kiss. The emphasis is on the kiss. I had this same type of dream so many times that it was really beginning to bother me. I finally decided to determine what the dream meant, analyze the dream.
Basically what it all boils down to is that I yearn to "fall in love" with a woman. The kiss is the revealing part. When you kiss someone for the first time, you get a big rush, especially if it is a good kiss. You begin to feel enamored, infatuated. A huge rush of dopamine on the brain. My dream interpretation is, I yearn to fall in love with someone.

Re: teen romance dreams

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:42:35 GMT

Hi Alan,
Any chance you could let us know what the dream was as well as your interpretation of it?

Re: teen romance dreams

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:21:40 GMT

Sometimes we live vicariously through our dreams. Maybe you desire more romance in your life.
I had a repeating romantic relationship dream that was beginning to bother me. Until I figured out what it meant, then the dreams stopped.

Re: teen romance dreams

http://ian-maleny.gaia.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:51:14 GMT

Hi Emily,
This is to do with some "baggage" you are carrying from your earlier years or whose characteristics can best be described (in dream speak) by reference to the symbols of those encounters - the men. Indications are that the "baggage" is not serious but sufficient to require elimination and until this elimination occurs the theme can be expected to continue. Please do not have any feelings of shame or guilt because there is no place in dreams for such emotions.
Since "baggage" is, in fact, attachment, and we have to attain complete non-attachment to attain Nirvana, please read my recent journal post Cessation of Karma [about ten back from the latest]. Also, since it is relevant to "baggage" plus other experience read about soul, moul and mind by searching for these words in the journal.