| 4. Dreams which are of a Mental Nature. These
have their origin upon the mental plane and presuppose a consciousness which is, at least,
becoming more sensitive mentally. At any rate, they are not recorded in the waking brain
consciousness until there is some measure of mind control. I might add at this point that
one of the major difficulties with which a psychologist is confronted, as he attempts to
interpret the dream life of his patient, is based not only on his inability esoterically
to "place" his patient as to ray type, evolutionary status, astrological
indications and inherent characteristics, but also he is confronted with the inability of
the patient to relate his dream correctly. What is presented to the psychologist is a
confused and imaginative description of brain reactions, astral phenomena, and (where
there is a measure of intellectual poise) some mental phenomena also. But there is no
capacity to differentiate. This confusion is due to lack of alignment, and of true mental
relation between the mind and the brain. [505] It becomes, therefore, oft a case of the
"blind leading the blind". Dreams which are of mental origin are fundamentally
of three kinds:
- Those dreams which are based on contact with the world of thought forms. This comprises
a vast realm of ancient thought forms, of modern thought forms, and those thought forms
also which are nebulous and emerging. They are of purely human origin and are definitely a
part of the Great Illusion. They constitute, in the bulk of cases, man's effort at the
interpretation of life and its meaning down the ages. They merge with the soul of glamor
which is astral in nature. It will be obvious to you that these thought forms comprise all
possible themes. They do not embody the wish-life of the race, but are concerned with
men's thoughts about the ideas and ideals which - down the ages - have controlled human
life and which, therefore, form the basis of all history.
- Those dreams which are geometrical in nature, and in which the subject becomes aware of
those basic patterns, forms and symbols which are the blue prints of the archetypes
determining the evolutionary process, and which produce eventually the materializing of
God's Plan. They are also the great symbols of man's unfolding consciousness. For
instance, the recognition of the point, the line, the triangle, the square, the Cross, the
pentagon and similar symbols are simply the recognition of a connection with, and a
founding upon, certain lines of force which have, to date, determined the [506]
evolutionary process. There are seven such forms, evolved and recognized in every race
and, for our present purposes, there are, therefore, twenty-one basic symbols which, in
geometrical form, embody the concepts which determine the Lemurian, Atlantean and Aryan
civilizations. It is interesting to realize that there are fourteen more to come. The
symbols which are already evolved are deeply ingrained in the human consciousness, and
lead, for instance, to the constant use of the cross in its many diverse forms. Two
symbols are at this time taking form as the basis of the coming civilization. These are
the lotus and the flaming torch. Hence the frequent appearance of these two in the life of
meditation and the dream life of the world aspirants.
- Those dreams which are symbolic presentations of teaching received in the hours of sleep
by aspirants and disciples in the Hall of Learning on the highest level of the astral
plane, and in the Hall of Wisdom on the mental plane. In the first Hall is the best that
the race has already learnt through its Atlantean experience and in the world of glamor.
Through these, wise choice can be developed. The Hall of Wisdom embodies the teaching
which the two coming races will develop and unfold, and thus trains the disciple and the
initiate.
I cannot do more than thus indicate the nature of these three basic mental experiences
which find their way into the dream life of the man on the physical plane. These are given
expression by him in the form of related dreams, creative work, and the expression of the
ideals which are building the human consciousness. [507] |
