Dream of Bhutan #4: Buddha's Water Bowl

The dream was long, but the most important part of the journey was captured upon its closing. 

I had just descended from the mountain side at Taktsang Monastery. There at the foot of the mountain there was an open altar, without walls, temples or coverings that one might see enshrining holy objects. There sat Buddha's water bowl in shiny metal. Instead of 7 bowls, there was one great bowl. 

I was eating a candy and then the wind blew the wrapper into the water within the bowl. I was mortified and I scooped out the rubbish, but then notice there is more rubbish in the bowl from other pedestrians. There I see the guide who lead me on the excursion: Tsewang. It bothered me to see other people's trash so I voiced it to him. "People need to clean up after themselves, but now they are long gone."

He responds resolutely, "It is fine to police others about their behavior, especially if it falls short of respect, but may I also police you?" I was stunned. My heart was humble, and eager to learn what he had to say, so I respond, "Yes, of course. I appreciate every opportunity to refine myself."

"Very well," he replies. I sense that Tsewang was a dream version of the real man that embodied the spirit of Buddha himself with his energy. "It is true that you cleared your own waste, and it is also true that waste still remains from others. I ask you this: Is the water clean or does it remain dirty?"

He saw the look on my face and that I understood the obvious. He gently urged, "Those who see the transgression must choose to allow it, or correct it. The responsibility falls upon the seer."

I bowed and accepted this important message. I awakened. 

Dream of Bhutan #3: In the Jaws of Death

The Cave was exceedingly dark, but soon, I realized it was not merely a dark cave, but the jaws of death itself. Walking on its tongue, it felt much like spongy mud and I was concerned about heading towards the throat of the beast.  Soon I would be swallowed!

As I looked behind me, I could see that its teeth formed bars of a white cage.  I was not powerful enough to open its mouth ... just then a winter-wheat shaft magically appeared in my right hand. 

I began tickling the throat of the great beast. It fought to avoid vomiting me from its mouth. Its great head swayed slowly forward heaving to and fro. On the onward movement, I took the opportunity to slide to the edge of the teeth along its right side. Two white fangs jut up and at an angle, very much like a triangle. It was a window and a shaft of light that shown through to my apparent escape.

When the head heaved forward one last time, I took the opportunity to pass through the opening. Upon passing through the opening of the teeth...the scene changed. I escaped!

Did I escape to a dirt road? Yes I did! There, I saw my parked car with my twin children dressed in red, hopping around inside. I instructed them to stay inside, so they would be safe. Oddly, they heeded me. 

Outside the car, I handled business with the vendor that sold me white prayer strings and a cluster of blue and white crystal beads.  Although there was nothing more than the currency of good will, the vendor placed the items in my hands. And, at the very moment, the scene changed once more.

The next scene was dim with light and filled with old artifacts, antiques, photos, metal objects and ancient scripts.  The scripts were stacked, in many stacks from the floor to the ceiling.  An elder seated in a far corner was writing something, then looked at me. With his mind, he asked, very kindly, if I would please help find the missing torn half of a script. I saw the torn parchment of paper in my hand with only half of a message. I set to work looking for its other half. The writing on the parchment was not as important as connecting both parts. Ironically. 

The last memory I had before waking was of looking at my hands holding the treasured half-script.

--This dream was sent to the proper dreamer--