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Life Is But a Dream

Life Is But a Dream

Last updated on: October 17, 2011 at 8:51 pm by chrisjohnson

Life Is But a Dream 2011-10-17T20:51:58+00:00 chrisjohnson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

By Bruce Adams

I woke up this morning and started to write this blog and was not quite sure how far to take things. I say that because, whenever I think or allow my intellect (judgmental mind) to influence me, I am always plagued with the belief that most people are not interested in seeing or understanding REAL TRUTH. That said, long ago I decided I was not writing to become popular but rather to help anyone who wishes to awaken form the illusion that most people call the real world. As hard as it may be to accept, the view that many people hold or believe life to be, is contrary to what actually is. Many times I have said REALITY is that which is left after ALL perception is removed. Another way of saying the same thing is REALITY is what is experienced when we awaken from the dream/dreams.

If you were to look at many of the various teachings and religions of the world you would find that there is a common belief that man is asleep or living within a dream.

Looking to the bible we can find mention of man not only being put to sleep but also a narrative of life within the dream state and then a call to awaken.

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept”

Genesis 2:21

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep”

Romans 13:11

When the Buddha wandered around India shortly after his enlightenment, he encountered several men who recognized him to be a very extraordinary being. They asked him, “Are you a god?”

“No,” he replied. “Are you a reincarnation of god?” “No,” he replied. “Are you a wizard, then?”

“No.” “Well, are you a man?” “No.” “So what are you?” they asked, being very perplexed.

“I am awake”

Another perhaps less known teacher to make such an assertion was George Gurdjieff.

Gurdjieff a teacher and author of what many would consider esoteric concepts, stated; “Man lives his life in sleep, and in sleep he dies.” Much like Buddha, Gurdjieff recognized that there is indeed a different way of seeing beyond what most see. According to Gurdjieff, people cannot perceive reality in their current states because they do not possess consciousness but rather live in a state of a hypnotic “waking sleep.”

Although I never read Gurdieff’s work, I find myself in agreement with his conjecture regarding the state of consciousness of the majority of mankind. Looking again to the bible perhaps we may add some further clarity as to what it means to live in a “waking sleep.”

The following narrative was taken from the Old Testament out of the book of numbers.

(Balaam’s Donkey) Numbers 23:21-35

21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials.

22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.

24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides.

25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.

26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left.

27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff.

28 Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”

30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said.

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.

32 The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.

33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”

35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.

Wow! Can you imagine trying to explain an experience like that to your family and friends?

Not only do we hear that suddenly a donkey begins to speak, but we also have an angel talking about killing a man in another dimension. If that does not sound like a dream then what else could it be classified as?

For those who wish to expand their understanding of the system of creation it becomes necessary to open to a bigger picture. The bigger picture I am referring to is the picture that includes various dimensions of time and space that Jesus alluded to when he said;

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.”

John 14:2

What many are unaware of is, dreams are not limited to this world or this dimension. Ultimately, there is only awake or asleep but for many the dream goes on even after the death of the human body.

Regardless of your path or what religion you practice, if you wish to awaken yourself and live awakened in this world you will have to struggle. More to come…

Love and Light,

Brother Bruce

Prophet or Madman