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The cessation of the organs to perform healthful
functions converts a man into a different person, and
dreams while in this state would have no prophetic
meaning, unless to warn the dreamer of this
disorganization of his physical system.
Dreams are symbols used by subjectivity to impress the
objective or material mind with a sense of coming good or evil. Subjectivity is the spiritual part of man. The soul is that
circle of man lying just outside the gross materiality and
partaking largely of it. All thoughts and desires enter first
the soul or material mind and then cast themselves on the
spirit. Frequently the soul becomes so filled with material or
present ideas, that the spiritual symbols are crowded out, and
then it is that dreams seen to be contrary.
Material subjectivity, that is, all thoughts and ideas
emanating from material sources, go to make up this circle then
the mind catches up the better thoughts of this section and
weaves them into a broader and more comprehensive power,
sustaining the owner in his own judgment. And still another
circle is formed of the finer compound of this, which is
spiritual subjectivity, or the highest element of intelligence
reached by man. This circle is the spiritual man and relates in
substance to the spiritual soul of the macrocosm or universe. It
becomes strong or weak as we recognize or fail to recognize it
as a factor of being. The process of spiritual development is
similar to that of the vegetable and animal kingdoms.
The trees on the outer rim of the forest are more capable of
resisting the wind than those more to the center, by reason of
their exposure to storms the roots have penetrated with double
strength far into the earth, and the branches are braced with
toughened bark and closely knitted ligaments. The same may be
said of the animal kingdom. The mind is developed by vigorous
exercise just as are likewise the muscles of the body. The more
these are cultivated by drawing from their parental affinities
in the macrocosm, the more knowledge or power they take on. Thus
as a man simulates in thought and action an ape, a tiger, a
goat, a snake or a lamb he takes on their characteristics and is
swayed by like influences to enmity, meekness, covetousness and
avariciousness.
To illustrate further. If he is cunning he draws on
the fox of the microcosm and becomes, in action and
thought, like that animal. If selfishness survives, the
hog principle is aroused from its latent cells in the
microcosm and he is dominated by material appetites. In
a similar way he may perceive the spiritual in himself.
Nature's laws, with all their numberless and intricate
ramifications are simple in their harmony of process and
uniformity of purpose when applied to the physical and ethical
developments of man. Possibilities for inner improvements or
expansions rest with material man. If he entertains gross
desires to the exclusion of spiritual germs, he will dwarf and
degrade higher aspirations, and thus deprive subjective
spirituality of her rightful possessions.
Nature, in compounding the materials for the creation of the
deaf man, inadvertently dropped the ingredient sound, hence
making an imperfect being and sound, being thus foreign to his
nature, he can only be approached by signs even in dreams. Subjectivity uses nature's forces, while a normal person uses
dreams to work on his waking consciousness. As it is impossible
to use with effect a factor which a man does not naturally
possess, a deaf man rarely ever dreams of sound, or a blind man
of light. |