Dreams and Active Imagination

Here I share an example of a dream of mine and how I amplified the experience through mindful active imagination to find its healing message and consider amplifications of myths and archetypal figures.

Dream:

Dreams lately have been pointing to the East.  Various dreams of trying to get through Asian airports, through customs, presenting identification.  Recently, the appearance of an Asian teacher with a red book with a golden dragon on the cover.  Because he hasn’t read it, he cannot instruct or test us on it, thus I am instructed to write the sacred text.  (Temples often have dragons at their doors to represent having to face one’s demons before entering into self-reflection and pursuit of enlightenment.)

Active Imagination:

Today I created some sacred space and was following a mediation by Buddhist monk, Jack Kornfield.  Into the woods I went, entering a cave with a lantern.  In the first room my guide appeared to me as my niece (a person related to my inner child).  She led me into a second room where I received a tool, a scimitar knife to cut through the swath of illusion.  In the third room I found my treasure my future baby swaddled in a blanket, that I had been neglecting.  My neice led me back into the forest with my knife of discernment and my baby. 

Amplification:

My vision is symbolically heralded with Manjushri, a Bodhisattva who represents wisdom. He holds a sword in his right hand — symbolizing the ability to cut through delusion. In his left hand, by his heart, he holds the stem of a lotus flower, which bears a book — the Perfection of Wisdom teaching, Prajnaparamita.

The gist:

In order to allow something new that wants to be born or manifest, I need refine my sense of identity, discernment, cut through illusion, and trust.