“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”, from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet
Waking Up from the Dream of Divine Duality
For centuries, mankind has been fascinated by the concept of duality—particularly the separation between the knower and the known, the self and the other, the divine and the mortal. I have explored the origin of this inherent duality, tracing it back to the advent of verbal communication, and I now propose a path toward awakening from the illusory nature of these dualities.
Developmental psychologists, anthropologists, and linguistic theorists have long posited that the creation of self-awareness is intimately tied to our understanding and use of language. When early humans developed the ability to use words and symbols to represent their world, they initiated a monumental shift in consciousness.
Before this leap in verbal development, humans lived in a state of natural union with their environment. There was no conceptual separation between themselves and the world around them. They existed in harmony with their surroundings, including what might be called the “creator” or “divine.”
With the dawn of verbal ability, humans gained a powerful tool for communication and conceptualization. However, this development came at a cost. The use of words and symbols created a mental divide—a duality—between the self (the knower) and the external world (the known). This separation allowed for the emergence of narratives that shaped human culture and society, but it also distanced us from our natural state of unity.
One of the most profound narratives to emerge from this dualistic thinking is the concept of the divine. In our early verbal explorations, humans began to create representations of the creator through language and symbolism. These representations, while sincere, were ultimately illusory. They served as necessary constructs for the young evolving consciousness, providing a framework for understanding the mysteries of existence.
As humans continued to evolve philosophically and spiritually, some began to see through the veil of these verbal creations. The realization dawned that our linguistic representations of the divine were not the ultimate truth but rather tools for a developing mind. This awakening is akin to waking up from a dream—recognizing that the dualistic narratives we have constructed are but shadows of a deeper, unified reality.
Understanding the illusory nature of duality is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is a crucial step towards a more profound connection with our environment and each other. By transcending dualistic thinking, we can foster a deeper sense of unity and harmony. This shift is essential for addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time, from environmental degradation to social fragmentation.
Practical Steps for Awakening
- Mindfulness and Meditation:
- Engage in practices that quiet the mind and promote inner stillness. These practices help dissolve the mental constructs that reinforce duality.
- Study and Reflection:
- Delve into philosophical and spiritual texts that challenge dualistic thinking and offer insights into the nature of unity.
- Community and Dialogue:
- Participate in discussions and communities that support the exploration of non-dualistic perspectives. Sharing experiences and insights can facilitate collective awakening.
- Connection with Nature:
- Spend time in natural settings to reconnect with the environment in a way that transcends verbal labels and concepts.
The awakening from the dream of divine duality is both a philosophical and spiritual evolution. By recognizing the limitations imposed by language and symbol, we can move towards a more profound understanding that transcends dualistic thinking. This shift is not only necessary for our personal growth but also for fostering a deeper connection with the world around us.
Join me in this journey of awakening. Engage with these ideas, reflect on your own experiences, and participate in the ongoing dialogue. Together, we can transcend the illusions that have shaped our consciousness, move away from the divisiveness spawned by all such religious concepts, and step into a reality of unity and harmony.
When did I begin to wake up from the dream of divine duality?
The classic battle within consciousness’s duality of good versus evil took on a significance within me at a young age, where my subconscious mind tried it’s best to work towards an ultimate resolution.
Sometimes we can dream our way towards an awakening out of another dream.
The Dream That Changed My Life Forever
Dreams have fascinated humans for centuries. They hold mysteries, wonders, and sometimes, unnerving truths. At eight years old, I experienced a dream so vivid, so intense, that it left an indelible mark on my life. It wasn’t just a figment of my imagination; it felt like a profound spiritual experience. I continue to explore that unforgettable dream and its impact on my personal growth, understanding, and quest for deeper meaning. I present the dream in full at the end of this work, though I will provide excerpts in advance of that for explanatory purposes.
Imagine a shaman standing at the edge of a lake in a high mountain region. The air is crisp, and the atmosphere is charged with an inexplicable energy. The shaman, having received a divine directive, gathers villagers and instructs them to throw every golden figurine and sacred symbol into the lake. Stripped of all protections, each villager must then face “the evil one” alone in their homes.
The shaman, now vulnerable, summons the forces of darkness. Sparks fly from his fingertips as he battles an unseen adversary hidden in the fog. He fights with all his might, determined to vanquish this force that has terrorized his village. But as his energy wanes, a chilling realization dawns upon him—the face of the evil one might be his own.
Confused and intrigued, I discussed the dream with my older sister Pam, who had a budding interest in reincarnation and psychic experiences. She suggested that the dream could be a manifestation of past life memories or spiritual challenges. Her insights, though partial, provided some comfort but left many questions unanswered.
This dream stayed with me, lingering in my thoughts and sparking a curiosity about its meaning. It was during a period when I slept very little and often found myself reviewing the day’s events before finally drifting off to sleep. Despite my youthful immaturity, this dream nudged me towards self-awareness, making me ponder deeper existential questions.
My quest for understanding led me to explore various fields—dream analysis, spirituality, and psychology.Over many years I devoured books on dream interpretation, sought insights from spiritual texts, and even dabbled in psychological theories. None offered a complete explanation, but each added a layer of understanding to the complex tapestry of my dream.
The symbols in my dream—the priest/shaman, the lake, the golden figurines, the duality of good versus evil—held significant meanings. The priest/shaman could represent a spiritual guide or inner wisdom, while the lake symbolized the subconscious mind. Casting away the golden figurines might signify letting go of material attachments or false idols. The battle with the dark force, culminating in the revelation of the evil one’s face, pointed to an internal struggle with the shadow self, or the unconscious portion of the mind that automatically generates duality, good vs. evil, light vs, dark, etc. as innate qualities of perception.
THE DREAM acted as a catalyst for my personal growth. It awakened a sense of self-awareness and spurred me to seek answers beyond the mundane. This quest led me to travel to Peru, where I felt an eerie familiarity with Lake Titicaca and the Incan civilization. The dream had planted a seed of curiosity that blossomed into a lifelong passion for exploration and understanding.
Dreams are more than just random images; they can be powerful messages from our subconscious mind. My dream, though mysterious, guided me towards self-awareness and personal development. I encourage you to share your own dream experiences and seek understanding. Who knows what profound insights you might uncover?
The battle between the past and present, between happiness and sorrow, and between good and evil, has dramatically ebbed in my mind and heart.
The intention for unity and healing drives my present-day life experience, and duality, though always a temptation in perception, no longer dominates my heart and mental space.
I am at peace.
Here is THE DREAM as recounted by me as an eight year old boy:
The priest, having received his directive from “on high”, then returned to his village along the lake in the high mountain region. He gathered all of the villagers together, and informed them that they were to take every golden figurine, every sacred symbol that they owned, and they were to throw them all into the lake, and never to think about them again. Then, he told each villager that they must each go into their own home, and face the “evil one” without any protection or care from any of their gods or their symbols of the sacred.
The priest then returned to his own home, having tossed all of his own idols and treasures into the deep blue lake. He stripped himself bare of all clothing, and then began to summon the forces of the dark. He became surrounded by a fog, and as he lifted his hands, sparks started flying out of his fingertips at the unknown force of darkness that lay just beyond his visual field, still hidden beyond the boundaries of the fog. The priest refocused his energy into his arms, and hands, and the sparks grew into a steady energy field, extending from his body, his heart, and his spirit, towards his unknown adversary. He was determined to overcome this force, this dark energy, and he redoubled his efforts. The priest’s heart began to race out of control, he began to sweat profusely, and a growing sense of fear and dread began to take hold of his entire being, as he finally understood that his energy could not last forever. Yes, for him to continue this battle, he must sacrifice all of his life force. Yet, he felt that he had no choice but to keep engaging the enemy, to finally see the face of the force that had terrorized his village since time began. He desperately strained and stretched to see the object of his fear and disdain, even as the ebbing energy field flowing from his fingertips continued to cut through the fog. Suddenly, a face began materializing before his faltering gaze. As he collapsed to the floor, almost drained of all life, he could no longer fight an undeniable truth– the face of the evil one might be his own!
