www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology A strange dream

Hello everyone, peace be with you all!

I am troubled at this moment, due to a dream which I had a few nights ago. This dream, I do not believe I have had anything like it, it was so vivid and cryptic. I was hoping that maybe some of you may find some meaning or "higher" reason for its symbolism. I ask not for the cheap astrological trickery of the new age, but for either the psychological or internal meaning. Here it is, as I can vaguely remember:

I am at my school, a Catholic high school where there are almost no practicing Catholics other than a few. I am walking about, by the cafeteria, and there is this immense line of people awaiting entry. I ask a friend why there are so many people here and he tells me that "the statues are here today. They are said to be miraculous and life-changing.". Puzzled, I go to look through the glass of the cafeteria to see three of my friends in the room. This is where it is odd.
There are no tables in the room, when there should be, and the room is blacked out except for a green light coming from the two statues. I do not see what happens to one friend (I do not remember), though the other two are clearly remembered. One, Brendan, a teen of Irish descent (relevant?) is weeping uncontrollably when looking at the statue and he falls to the ground on his face, possibly repenting. Another, Zachary, is deathly green and he looks out towards the window where I am and his pale green cheek is suddenly gashedas he falls. I look to see what the statues ressemble, wondering what on Earth could do such things to people. I vaguely see a statue of Christ and another of some saint, but I quickly turn away in fear of what may happen to me.
That is where I forget the rest. Strange? I'd say yes.
-Peace, Justin

Dear Catholic Servant,

Strange indeed! I consinder all dreams strange, as they are events in the soul while the body is at rest. They are unreliable, and suspect, principally because of their source.

The Fathers (tertullian and others) felt that dreams were mainly imposed upon us by demons, and we should take no accout of them. Sometimes they recall true events (even otherwise unknown to our mind), but there is no need to engage the ideas or events with our "waking" mind. The danger to our spiritual life is small of course, but why court even a small danger.

In the scriptures, in the age of the Prophets and Patriarchs God himself used dreams to communicate his will to men. But this is not the case now, for we have God's holy Church, and the Word of the Lord contained in the Gospels, containing all Truth, and everything that is necessary to be known. God has already told us everything, through his Son. And this has been faithfully recorded in the Holy Gospel.

So with a sure and certain source for knowledge of the Truth, it is altogether un-needed to consider whether some aspect of a dream may contain a truth which we might need to be aware of...

I think the best thing is to make a mental note about our dreams, for they are interesting and curious. Marvel at the mystery of the human mind, it is a complex and awesome creation! But for dreams, but do not engage them, do not dwell upon them, do not try to evaluate them, do not try to understand them, do not try to discern what is truth in them, do not try to reflect upon what is fantasy in them. Just let them rest as they are, and be at peace always.

It is a waste of our intellect to ponder on what is vain, and unsure. (Pick up a Gospel, and ponder that!) And if, as it is possible, that a dream (I am not saying this one), is caused by some mischievious demon or naughty angel, best not to engage it, lest this thoughtless and passionate creature gain a stronger hold upon our thoughts and imagination (God forbid it!).

If the dream disturbs you still, and you cannot easily let it rest, give it to your spiritual Father, and let him take it from you.

I hope you don't mind me reflecting on this subject. Forgive me if I am too forward, and I mean no criticism. Just repeating what I was told, and what I consider prudent advice.

Elias

God and the devil can use your dreams. So its best to take no thought of them. A saint once said to ignore them even if its of God because if its of God it will take root in your life. However, if it builds your relationship with God or orthers consider them only to the extent of kindiling love. God sometimes speaks mysterious things to us and can use your dreams, but remember the danger of the deciever. Remember scripture says test all things and hold fast to what is good. Your dream seems strange and that is common of all dreams. Ask yourself does anything in relate to you personally and can anything be learned. If you find something to relate to in it then the next step would be prayer and consulting a spirtual father. If there is nothing to be gained forget it. Futhermore, its never good to publisize things God reveals to a bunch of people you dont know, you will recieve all kinds of opinions that will confuse you. So next time only keep it between yourself and people with you know with discernment.

[ 02-24-2002: Message edited by: Broric ]

[ 02-24-2002: Message edited by: Broric ]

I heartily concur with Broric's perspective. It is clearly known that various foods, eaten before sleep, can influcnce the pattern of dreams; so too can spiritual forces.

It is best to leave them be; pray and consult your spiritual director or pastor as the case may be depending on whether you are Byzantine or Roman.

"let not your hearts be troubled".

Blessings!

Dear Justin,

Dreams are funny things to be sure and I concur with what has been said here.

However, there is also a study of dreams used widely in social psychology and in other disciplines that use keys to interpret dreams as a way to see how we understand ourselves etc.

For example, I dreamed, for the longest time, that I was in homes that I lived in long ago.

I thought this had something to do with the fact that my wife and I were looking for a new home.

In fact, the "old homes" are a symbol of old friends and the fact that one would be making their acquaintance again - which happened.

I may be wrong (yes, it has happened before ) but it seems to me that you may or are already finding your friends to be of tremendous, almost miraculous, help to you and you should cherish them since you never know when they will powerfully re-enter your life.

A good way to ward off evil in sleep is the way the Coptic monks have done it for centuries - pray just before falling asleep.

Alex