The Puzzle Room of Knowledge

[PaulKH]

Again I was with 3 other people, but the impression I got was of peers, perhaps student-explorers in archeology. Because we were inside mortared stone chambers that reminded me of an Aztec pyramid/temple: very foreign looking, walls of smoothed river rocks in various shades of brown held together by ancient-looking gray mortar, primitive designs/paintings of the basic colors you can make from nature's dyes. We were searching for clues, analyzing our discoveries, yet also talking excitedly about each little aspect of each room. We came to a chamber that felt almost cavernous by comparison, and in the middle across a bridged chasm was it: the prize, clearly what we had been seeking!

On a central dais was an intricate puzzle (or maybe the entire chamber *was* the puzzle--those details have slipped from my mind), made of foot-sized, painted pillars of those polished stones, which unlocked...well, we were going to find out! Studying as we went, we carefully crossed over the bridged chasm and began touching and then moving the pillars, pressing some of them like they were giant buttons of a contraption--or a locking mechanism! I remember mentioning that we must take nothing but what we learn, that we must leave it pristine (and yet we were moving things around?). I felt the haziness of time passing and after a while we had a breakthrough that made us ecstatic, like we had solved the riddle/passed a test and gained valuable knowledge from it.

And yet, knowledge granted, the room had apparently done its task (or given up its secret it was supposed to guard?) and began to slowly collapse! I remember some of the button-pillars crumbling in dramatic fashion! I was alarmed, thinking that I *knew* we abided by the rules and took nothing--I could hear the bonds breaking, a very distinct sound of both the cracking-breaking concrete-type material and the clattering of the smoothed rocks that could now collapse against each other and fall into the pit! And as the others were scrambling to safety over the widening gaps and up the ledges, not only was I ensuring everyone was making it and not falling, I clearly remember wondering if perhaps the knowledge we had gained made us heavier in a sense that was causing the room collapse. It was one of those wild in-the-frantic-moment thoughts that make no sense out of context, but was desperately trying to understand *why* this collapse was happening, even as I was slipping/climbing to safety to join the others in breathless excitement of a narrow escape!

Sadly, the dream ended with me having to rise to potty in the "wee" hours of the morning...or else we might have discussed our findings and wondered about the collapsed section. One thing felt certain: that the knowledge gain was all that remained of a one-time accessing, something that was now self-buried in a pit, with whatever it held now inaccessible to everyone. This was one of those dreams where the emotions were fairly muted rather than raw-powerful, despite the crisp details and thoughts, so it feels very much like a parable/analog (something to ponder yet not worry over as if it had been a deeply personal experience, if that makes sense--the entire thing felt more cerebral). [And no, heh, I did not feel like Indiana Jones or had any of that vibe from the dream.] But the dream itself is certainly a puzzle!

 

[Harvey]

Hello Paul y'are a genius writer, who in your own poetical way have discribed how your jungian knowledge has collapsed

"so it feels very much like a parable/analog (something to ponder yet not worry over as if it had been a deeply personal experience, if that makes sense--the entire thing felt more cerebral). [And no, heh, I did not feel like Indiana Jones or had any of that vibe from the dream.] But the dream itself is certainly a puzzle!"

You have described what The lord God Almighty, with a very fine humor from his part, letting you look through His eyes that see everything, showed you how your exercise and research in the gray mass of your brain has played out.
He has humorously letting you describe how the heavy dogmatic knowledge of the Jungian out-of-the-air ideology, which was carefully piled up in the caverns of your brain, after using your mind well and following the psycho-logic explanation of mine that did produced results time and time again without a single speculation while the heavy knowledge of the jungians only brought forth confusion, collapsed.

 

[PaulKH]

Maybe so, my fellow explorer-seeker, may be so. I'm still in the pondering-amusement stage, and I appreciate your input--something to dwell on. Knowledge built upon false premises does tend to crumble over time (rather than pass the timeless test), but then again there is also clear evidence that an evolution of ability also changes certain parameters: things people are capable of understanding in a meaningful way (that they couldn't before). Dreams seem to be consistently prompting us to grow/expand what we can understand, opening our minds, hearts, perspectives.

As you do, I also feel a magnificent opportunity upon us all to grow/learn and in the right, supportive fashion...if only we keep goodness in our hearts and share that amongst ourselves. We should always act (even in giving advice) like the most important thing for us is a future-benevolent relationship (if this can be replicated enough over enough people, then the toxic mistakes of the modern world can heal/purify, and this begins with us and how we present our insights: in a manner that pleases those most benevolent). So, I am soothed-calm-still while also anticipating what happens next (and over time, with as much patience and long-ranging perspective as I can currently manage). Cheers.

 

[Lyn Holley]

This dream strikes me as a sort of mirror of life. We seek to understand the puzzle of our existence, and just when we think we are making progress, may have cracked the code, things change, sure things in our lives collapse. The stones which we build our knowledge on crumble. And maybe knowledge does in some ways make us heavier, we seek to accumulate it, but in the end it is the experiences of our lives that speak.

 

[Al1ce]

the word Sceptre comes to mind for some reason, the highest point to reach holding the treasure, but I also sense authority with knowledge, overcoming many challenges and obstacles in life, but remembering the concept as above so below. Authority should also be felt by those around us, did you feel the others felt this also in the dream?

 

[PaulKH]

the word Sceptre comes to mind for some reason, the highest point to reach holding the treasure, but I also sense authority with knowledge, overcoming many challenges and obstacles in life, but remembering the concept as above so below. Authority should also be felt by those around us, did you feel the others felt this also in the dream?

Hi, Alice. And yes, my mention of them feeling like peers was my shorthand for the understanding-trust that they felt much like I did. We were definitely a group in the cooperative/productive sense (ie, we were all there for the same reasons): considering/cataloging/making discoveries, sharing the momentous breakthrough of the "puzzle" room and its workings, and of course the alarm and then determined scrambling to escape the crumbling center dais. I remember the feeling (only the impression at this point) of us helping each other, some with boosting up, and the now-safe others with reaching out hands and pulling. So it is fair to say I saw us also united in the purpose of helping each other to safety. (Or for those who like to see dream entities as various, different aspects of our own self, then each part of me was aligned in purpose, but I just don't think that mode of thinking is as fun as the ability to dream of actual-others.)

I am confused by your use of "Sceptre"; would you care to delve/analyze/explain? (please?) The highest point in any proverbial sense might be like a pinnacle, but I don't remember ever hearing the link to a sceptre. As I mention in my (fictional setting) book, I believe that even the oldest/longest lived beings are still learning with the attitude of acceptance (not letting any amount of time or weight of knowledge prevent them from learning more), and so perhaps it is this you saw reflecting through in my dream: knowledgeable people still being students. "Authority" would be serving a poor purpose if it got in the way of expanding knowledge/perspectives... Some might say it is obvious that I dream in how I think, but I like to consider that it is more of a point of thinking this way because I have observed much evidence--even in dreams--of a certain thing holding true (like, in this dream, a case of learned people all reaching for more knowledge/understanding to add to our experience--and getting a little more experience than we expected!).

 

[Al1ce]

Hi, Alice. And yes, my mention of them feeling like peers was my shorthand for the understanding-trust that they felt much like I did. We were definitely a group in the cooperative/productive sense (ie, we were all there for the same reasons): considering/cataloging/making discoveries, sharing the momentous breakthrough of the "puzzle" room and its workings, and of course the alarm and then determined scrambling to escape the crumbling center dais. I remember the feeling (only the impression at this point) of us helping each other, some with boosting up, and the now-safe others with reaching out hands and pulling. So it is fair to say I saw us also united in the purpose of helping each other to safety. (Or for those who like to see dream entities as various, different aspects of our own self, then each part of me was aligned in purpose, but I just don't think that mode of thinking is as fun as the ability to dream of actual-others.)

I am confused by your use of "Sceptre"; would you care to delve/analyze/explain? (please?) The highest point in any proverbial sense might be like a pinnacle, but I don't remember ever hearing the link to a sceptre. As I mention in my (fictional setting) book, I believe that even the oldest/longest lived beings are still learning with the attitude of acceptance (not letting any amount of time or weight of knowledge prevent them from learning more), and so perhaps it is this you saw reflecting through in my dream: knowledgeable people still being students. "Authority" would be serving a poor purpose if it got in the way of expanding knowledge/perspectives... Some might say it is obvious that I dream in how I think, but I like to consider that it is more of a point of thinking this way because I have observed much evidence--even in dreams--of a certain thing holding true (like, in this dream, a case of learned people all reaching for more knowledge/understanding to add to our experience--and getting a little more experience than we expected!).

Ah yes that may be why sceptre came to mind, with you mentioning them like students. In your dream you seemed to be in the leader archetype role (authoritative figure), telling them not to touch anything, only observe, yet you were moving things around, as they scrambled to safety, you made sure they were ok, as you stepped into ur carer role, what roles did these individual have? if these represent archetypes within you, or people in your life, I’d ask where they given the same authority as you gave yourself, but as you have just mentioned, this was more of a united team.

The highest point referring to your mention of being inside a pyramid, the peak of the temple to transcending with spirit, while the below referring to the physical, heaven and earth, it reminds us to come to our centre, and bring balance into our life, in order to flow with the universal laws, allowing them to guid us through the stillness of our being. You may have actually been inside your own temple, the treasure being within you, and the collapse could symbolise something that is not resonating with you, or some unwanted energy that needs clearing out, once this is identified, we can then come into alignment with our purpose and values.

These are just my own personal reflections, if anything resonates.

 

[PaulKH]

In your dream you seemed to be in the leader archetype role (authoritative figure), telling them not to touch anything, only observe, yet you were moving things around, as they scrambled to safety, you made sure they were ok, as you stepped into ur carer role, what roles did these individual have? if these represent archetypes within you, or people in your life, I’d ask where they given the same authority as you gave yourself, but as you have just mentioned, this was more of a united team.

I am hesitant to talk in these terms because I observe that people have differing views/requirements for "authoritative" than I do, and often taint the concept with their egos/self-centeredness/single-mindedness. So to me, thinking/talking in terms of archetype is doubling down on the possibility of wrongness/misunderstanding. Anyone of good conscience must be wary of this, because increasing sophistication as one pushes down an erroneous path does not automatically mean course correction.

For example, study and a long track record of success (personal triumphs in my journey, I see them as) sometimes lend certain leadership qualities *only* as a result/consequence (an earned confidence-of-pattern). Yet, how I use this is far more practical/straightforward than most people consider. I see something that needs doing/saying and act in that moment if I consider myself as capable/led/inspired to do or say that thing. There is always the feedback/analysis/adjustment, and that's it: no hang-ups or "ego trips" or self-deceptions.

In other words, *focus* on beneficial results and effectiveness--I care not if people consider that leading or being a good/cooperative team member for those are usually irrelevant to the result. Heh, in past circumstances when people have hung up on leader/follower dynamics, I have pointed out that being a wise/conscientious follower shares most qualities of good leadership, and have "led" by example of being a helpful follower. Often, it is truly that straight-forward: trained competency, right-action, good results for all, no need for labels or chest-thumping or falsely applied zero-sum (mind) games.

With the force of truth-seeking, ask yourself this: why muddy/over-complicate or pretend sophistication to this otherwise basic/fundamental concept? For people who are wise and bold enough to follow this to its conclusion, it is a study in the difference between function and dysfunction.

So in the dream, I feel I helped because of the need. I said what I did/gave instruction because it needed to be stated/reinforced and no one else was doing it. I did not and do not think in terms of career roles for myself or others (too inflexible in thinking)--as long as they are helping and not hurting the group efforts, the distinction is irrelevant to the larger picture. When I give instruction, often stating the obvious for the sake of emphasis, it is no different to me than when I remind myself of something so my result is likely to be my best effort, whether that is from better focus or a refresher of relevant information--this is no bossiness but again all based in the practical need to avoid failure. I hope this makes sense, because it will help you better empathize with my dream group and "see" their level of cooperation as exactly that.

 

[Al1ce]

I am hesitant to talk in these terms because I observe that people have differing views/requirements for "authoritative" than I do, and often taint the concept with their egos/self-centeredness/single-mindedness. So to me, thinking/talking in terms of archetype is doubling down on the possibility of wrongness/misunderstanding. Anyone of good conscience must be wary of this, because increasing sophistication as one pushes down an erroneous path does not automatically mean course correction.

For example, study and a long track record of success (personal triumphs in my journey, I see them as) sometimes lend certain leadership qualities *only* as a result/consequence (an earned confidence-of-pattern). Yet, how I use this is far more practical/straightforward than most people consider. I see something that needs doing/saying and act in that moment if I consider myself as capable/led/inspired to do or say that thing. There is always the feedback/analysis/adjustment, and that's it: no hang-ups or "ego trips" or self-deceptions.

In other words, *focus* on beneficial results and effectiveness--I care not if people consider that leading or being a good/cooperative team member for those are usually irrelevant to the result. Heh, in past circumstances when people have hung up on leader/follower dynamics, I have pointed out that being a wise/conscientious follower shares most qualities of good leadership, and have "led" by example of being a helpful follower. Often, it is truly that straight-forward: trained competency, right-action, good results for all, no need for labels or chest-thumping or falsely applied zero-sum (mind) games.

With the force of truth-seeking, ask yourself this: why muddy/over-complicate or pretend sophistication to this otherwise basic/fundamental concept? For people who are wise and bold enough to follow this to its conclusion, it is a study in the difference between function and dysfunction.

So in the dream, I feel I helped because of the need. I said what I did/gave instruction because it needed to be stated/reinforced and no one else was doing it. I did not and do not think in terms of career roles for myself or others (too inflexible in thinking)--as long as they are helping and not hurting the group efforts, the distinction is irrelevant to the larger picture. When I give instruction, often stating the obvious for the sake of emphasis, it is no different to me than when I remind myself of something so my result is likely to be my best effort, whether that is from better focus or a refresher of relevant information--this is no bossiness but again all based in the practical need to avoid failure. I hope this makes sense, because it will help you better empathize with my dream group and "see" their level of cooperation as exactly that.

I had a dream last night, there was a woman with blondie brown wavy hair, though it could have been her golden aura around her, she was very happy, ecstatic with her achievements, there was a set of huge scales which appeared, she stood on the right side, as I observed mortar and sand being poured into the left scale, this created a new foundation, they were in balance, then I saw Jesus walk onto the left scale, the quartz began to sparkle, he smiled and told me “her foundation is strong” maybe this was meant for you, as I often do dream of the collective, it is how I gain clarity! It made me realise that something needs to crumble for the new to emerge, so maybe these challenges and obstacles are what you have overcome, as you have manifested with these archetypes within you. Sceptre is a huge achievement, especially when authority comes with loyalty and truth, one who holds the sceptre with these values, brings great service to the world, and those around them. I pointed out the shadow aspect of the archetype, but there is also the Siddhi, it is up to you to identify these qualities, as I do not know you, so without looking at authority of leadership negatively, but rather in positive way, you were able to lead these characters with authority and care, I was right to say you were already holding the sceptre, the treasure is indeed within you. Blessings 🙏

 

[PaulKH]

I had a dream last night, there was a woman with blondie brown wavy hair, though it could have been her golden aura around her, she was very happy, ecstatic with her achievements, there was a set of huge scales which appeared, she stood on the right side, as I observed mortar and sand being poured into the left scale, this created a new foundation, they were in balance, then I saw Jesus walk onto the left scale, the quartz began to sparkle, he smiled and told me “her foundation is strong” maybe this was meant for you, as I often do dream of the collective, it is how I gain clarity! It made me realise that something needs to crumble for the new to emerge, so maybe these challenges and obstacles are what you have overcome, as you have manifested with these archetypes within you. Sceptre is a huge achievement, especially when authority comes with loyalty and truth, one who holds the sceptre with these values, brings great service to the world, and those around them. I pointed out the shadow aspect of the archetype, but there is also the Siddhi, it is up to you to identify these qualities, as I do not know you, so without looking at authority of leadership negatively, but rather in positive way, you were able to lead these characters with authority and care, I was right to say you were already holding the sceptre, the treasure is indeed within you. Blessings 🙏

Ah, yes, you are right to bring up the positive aspect of leadership, for my treatment of it was incomplete/slanted too much toward the wary and negative (which is based upon my observations, not my study of it). So thank you, Alice. At its pinnacle, leadership is a vital-to-health thing that flows freely and inspires--in fact, it could be seen almost entirely from that angle, from the standpoint of inspiration-to-others, for this is what a good leader aspires to and makes corrections to more fully achieve.

I felt the need to immediately embrace the correction as soon as I saw it. As I dwell more on your dream/other points, I will respond more thoughtfully, for blessings are also surely received-and-disseminated (passed along) by you.

 

[PaulKH]

I hope this response finds you with great patience and an open, inquisitive mind, for you will need both to gain the most from this. I’m not sure I feel much personally-aimed-at-me resonance from your dream imagery, but here are my compatible considerations.

Firstly, we can recognize an advanced-by-comparison dreamer by a few important signs, mainly by the clarity they gain and share, and also by the fact that they can recognize an affirmation-style dream when it comes. I will add my affirmation and admiration to that of your dream, while encouraging you to understand this as another sign to keep pushing diligently into greater awareness and helpfulness. We could be dream-students for a thousand of our years, and from a learning standpoint, still be new to it. Such is the depth and opportunity! (As I have, you have seen hints of this complexity in recent dreams—recall the sheets of intricate glass like drops falling into an ocean.) So, I celebrate with you because of your (shared) potential.

Your dream was highly sophisticated, and I find those often have multiple targets and meanings, and I feel your dream-part-meant-for-me as the least consequential of its purposes (while acknowledging I have very little to go on). Know that, in addition, it tests you in recall and acceptance as well as translation/speculation and giving (to public-me, in this case). Can you see these things as incomplete and search for the greater completion-connection? Can you see your gift not as typical-sought power or as isolated but as part of a greater tapestry? There is righteous power in being part of the tapestry in a meaningful way, with no need to study/isolate aspects of it as is done in most people’s understandings of the Siddhi (it should be seen as an integration, not a separation; note that differing terms and even angles of approach can apply to the same fundamentals).

Speaking of righteous power… Are you certain you didn’t recognize the woman? Your dream-self had no problems recognizing Jesus, and so it feels significant that you didn’t also recognize (or name) the woman who Jesus joins/balances/completes (this is offered with an open spirit, no slight intended, only shared thoughtfulness). You ought to recognize her, especially because the order of appearance and debris (the crumbled and reassembling “structure”), and that your Jesus-representation would join her *in balance* so that the new structure could shine (the light-enhancing quartz might also be telling). In addition, it could signify why the scale showed as a simple-duality-device (when in reality balance is not so simple—more on that later)… Perhaps the representation is instead the duality of perfect-parents, of spiritual guides, of the modes for successful growth stimulation. Perhaps, they look on in encouragement and happiness/satisfaction at their “child”—and you are too intent on sharing this to realize they *see you*. Please consider this in every way you are able to.

Back to the balancing act: A two-sided “balancing” scale has little resonance with me, and in fact I have always seen the lower-human/limitation in that imagery (most definitely including “Lady Justice” and her scale). We can take the simplest/personal example of your own balance as illustration (but there are many more, as far as you have eyes to see). Stand still and upright in the center of a room, away from any supports. Do you know how many muscles—how much of your lower brain—is at work to keep you in balance? Does this *feel* like a dichotomy to you? It’s something we most often take for granted until it fails us, heh, and we end up in an ungraceful heap (this is why skating/ice skating is so fun and informative: here, one cannot take the complexities of balance for granted). If basic, simple, physical balance isn’t so simple, why would it be represented so in a dream (or in law or government or society-at-large)? Why would we allow ourselves to be on-purpose-limited in something as complex/important as balance?

“…that something needs to crumble for the new to emerge.” This is part of your clarity, for sure. Happily, this isn’t always necessary (the deconstruction), yet it is appropriate in this case. False structures, wrong structures (both in mind and physical), very often cannot be healthily repurposed but must be rejected/crumbled/redesigned for anything to shine like how a quartz (repurposed dust) can amplify the light, for our guides to be very happy for us and with us. So if nothing else, your insight of this moment is what resonates as valid and purposeful to me. We will see what becomes of it, because for all the insight, the practical is still most important/lasting/benevolence-causing; insight is only self-serving/-training without the application.



I thank you for your benefit-of-the-doubt even though you know (and only suspect) so very little of me. But now you know more than you did. Please trust this to increase your happiness/satisfaction, as one student-analyst-conduit to another. Well met, Alice.