Tour Guide Catastrophe

[PaulKH]

This isn’t the most meaningful of dreams, but it did stand out from the normal noise, so I considered it worthy to record and dwell upon. The exercise here is to record enough detail so that others can partially empathize, as if they almost had the dream and can then talk about its possible meaning(s).



I became aware right in the act of leading three other people along a hiking trail, of sorts. My impressions were of pebbles and hard-packed dust surrounded by scraggly shrubs and trees, with clearings being mostly the kind of short grasses that cannot grow thick because the surrounding vegetation hogs most of the limited resources.

So, by my own standards, not a very pretty place, but surely better than nothing or the concrete jungle! Perhaps like trails I have seen in the western US or in the Outback (that was my impression, though I could not hear or recall anyone else speaking besides me). My dream-self was simply observing, waiting around for something to happen, and the people I was leading were all into the wilderness vibe, enjoying the natural setting while I pointed out various trees and such.

In one clearing, there were two shirtless and sweaty men standing together and chatting, and I’m not sure I recognized them or just had the impression they were some of the local help/brush clearers. Before we could near and say hello, they both drew machetes from the nearby bush and came at us menacingly.

I remember holding up hands, saying something like, “Whoa, guys, just let us by. We’re just hikers.” But they would not listen. Both had muscular but wiry frames, one black and one white, and both were intent on harming us! I think I meant to stand in the way of the others, but my guests(?) had spread out and so the attackers split up, one coming after me while the other went for them.

At this point, total-fight-response had me focused and alert/in the moment/fully in that body (in case it had not been mine to control before this point). I had *so* much focus that the man’s movements seemed ridiculously telegraphed. It wasn’t like time slowed, I don’t think, but that his movements were very choreographed, like he intended for me to dodge. For his initial strike, he drew back the blade, elbow back, tip pointing at my right side, such that I knew he was going to lunge there! So, I twisted to make sure he missed, while leaping backward from there in case he swung, which he did after another very strange delay of a raised arm and broad sweep.

This was no live-action fighting, because his movements were more like robotic (like a wind-up toy soldier)! With that huge swing, it was a simple matter for me to entangle his feet with my foot (perhaps residual Judo training), push him off-balance, and make sure he hit the ground hard enough to drop the machete, which I then snatched up!

Fight won, I swung my attention back to the group and felt a wave of dread/responsibility. The two female guests were weeping and cowering, while the man (husband/father to the other two, maybe?) of the group lie bleeding on the ground, having just been slashed open by his attacker! In an instant, I closed and swung, cutting the attacker much in the same way he had done with the hiker, and I felt such fury mixed with such guilt, like I had somehow caused this or not been capable of preventing it, that I woke myself. My first thought was making it clear to myself—in effect correcting my dream feelings—that I wasn’t responsible for the attack but those wiry men were!



With more pleasant dreams, I tend to dwell on the what-ifs and any other possibility I might have initially missed, but with this one, I was actively correcting the blame-game/guilt-trip away from the dream-me-becoming-conscious-me. It could have been as simple as another lesson showing what is proper responsibility and what is undue guilt (akin to survivor’s guilt, which usually is a harmful malfunction of the mourning/grieving emotion set). Because of my initial reaction, I lost many of the other details to the dream (and only remember their impression like an afterimage of more complexity that you can only see the hazy remains of). The main details I remember are the weirdly mechanical movement of my attacker (maybe they were on heavy drugs?), and the horrible feelings at the tragedy that happened while I was fending off my attacker.

Without a doubt, if they had paid for that tour, they would be wanting a refund!

 

[unclesirbobbyrobson]

Dreams record your emotions not facts so the story line in your dream is just a metaphor. You have to make associations with the emotions in the dream. If you can make a connection with real life then you may find out that your dream is just a metaphor for your own thinking. Try asking questions like these to make associations like these.

Your dream had very average and unpleasant locations. What situation felt as if you were seeing unpleasant locations. Think on an emotional level as your dreams record emotions not facts.

Your dream features someone who you felt you could read the feelings and actions of. Who, usually from the day before did you get into a situation with , who you felt you could read the feelings and second guess their actions?

Your dreams after this ask "what if" questions so it seems that whatever was troubling you is now resolved in your mind. The Christmas period (and your probably going to tell me that your a buddhist or muslim) so the dream maybe about some meeting at Christmas. What seemed very important at the time but which you have been able to resolve in your mind?

 

[Lyn Holley]

This isn’t the most meaningful of dreams, but it did stand out from the normal noise, so I considered it worthy to record and dwell upon. The exercise here is to record enough detail so that others can partially empathize, as if they almost had the dream and can then talk about its possible meaning(s).



I became aware right in the act of leading three other people along a hiking trail, of sorts. My impressions were of pebbles and hard-packed dust surrounded by scraggly shrubs and trees, with clearings being mostly the kind of short grasses that cannot grow thick because the surrounding vegetation hogs most of the limited resources.

So, by my own standards, not a very pretty place, but surely better than nothing or the concrete jungle! Perhaps like trails I have seen in the western US or in the Outback (that was my impression, though I could not hear or recall anyone else speaking besides me). My dream-self was simply observing, waiting around for something to happen, and the people I was leading were all into the wilderness vibe, enjoying the natural setting while I pointed out various trees and such.

In one clearing, there were two shirtless and sweaty men standing together and chatting, and I’m not sure I recognized them or just had the impression they were some of the local help/brush clearers. Before we could near and say hello, they both drew machetes from the nearby bush and came at us menacingly.

I remember holding up hands, saying something like, “Whoa, guys, just let us by. We’re just hikers.” But they would not listen. Both had muscular but wiry frames, one black and one white, and both were intent on harming us! I think I meant to stand in the way of the others, but my guests(?) had spread out and so the attackers split up, one coming after me while the other went for them.

At this point, total-fight-response had me focused and alert/in the moment/fully in that body (in case it had not been mine to control before this point). I had *so* much focus that the man’s movements seemed ridiculously telegraphed. It wasn’t like time slowed, I don’t think, but that his movements were very choreographed, like he intended for me to dodge. For his initial strike, he drew back the blade, elbow back, tip pointing at my right side, such that I knew he was going to lunge there! So, I twisted to make sure he missed, while leaping backward from there in case he swung, which he did after another very strange delay of a raised arm and broad sweep.

This was no live-action fighting, because his movements were more like robotic (like a wind-up toy soldier)! With that huge swing, it was a simple matter for me to entangle his feet with my foot (perhaps residual Judo training), push him off-balance, and make sure he hit the ground hard enough to drop the machete, which I then snatched up!

Fight won, I swung my attention back to the group and felt a wave of dread/responsibility. The two female guests were weeping and cowering, while the man (husband/father to the other two, maybe?) of the group lie bleeding on the ground, having just been slashed open by his attacker! In an instant, I closed and swung, cutting the attacker much in the same way he had done with the hiker, and I felt such fury mixed with such guilt, like I had somehow caused this or not been capable of preventing it, that I woke myself. My first thought was making it clear to myself—in effect correcting my dream feelings—that I wasn’t responsible for the attack but those wiry men were!
P


With more pleasant dreams, I tend to dwell on the what-ifs and any other possibility I might have initially missed, but with this one, I was actively correcting the blame-game/guilt-trip away from the dream-me-becoming-conscious-me. It could have been as simple as another lesson showing what is proper responsibility and what is undue guilt (akin to survivor’s guilt, which usually is a harmful malfunction of the mourning/grieving emotion set). Because of my initial reaction, I lost many of the other details to the dream (and only remember their impression like an afterimage of more complexity that you can only see the hazy remains of). The main details I remember are the weirdly mechanical movement of my attacker (maybe they were on heavy drugs?), and the horrible feelings at the tragedy that happened while I was fending off my attacker.

Without a doubt, if they had paid for that tour, they would be wanting a refund!

Paul, you are very articulate and probably a writer. In a classical Jungian view, these men are shadow figures within you. As an educated and probably somewhat urbane man, the cruder and violent parts of yourself are pushed into the shadow. Integrating shadow figures makes us more whole. There is a life force in the violent men that you may need, a sort of vigor or energy. You are leading a tour, the ego-self is in control, and then suddenly he's not. This disruption of the ego's plans are usually part of our transformation.

 

[Harvey]

Hello Paul, this is indeed a meaningful dream that you have not recognized as such, worthy to record and dwell upon in the eyes of The Autor (your soul, your higher self, the real man in you, child of God, thus divine/  God)!. The exercise here is to record enough detail so that others can partially empathize, as if they almost had the dream and can then talk about its possible meaning(s).

He wants to make you become aware right in the act of leading  (three) other people along your hiking trail (being a "dreamwalker") of sorts, who are the 3 other people in the dream (?) and what is really happening. We are here on the forum trying to find The Truth about dreams, and He knows that you have been paving the way in your dream declaration activities for almost 40 years.

So  He chose by letting you describe your overall spiritual state in relation to  Him in your own words and thereby teaching us about 'man' in general that is, how he, 'man' (in this case you) is discribed in the dream and doing so hitting multiple targets in one shot.

As to your overall spiritual state in relation to  Him, in top condition on your path of live would be kind of:

"My impressions were green pastures, pebbles, lush trees streams ... etc etc", like David in psalm 23

in stead of: "pebbles and hard-packed dust surrounded by scraggly shrubs and trees, with clearings being mostly the kind of short grasses that cannot grow thick because the surrounding vegetation hogs most of the limited resources"

before i go on explaining what is going on in the dream i have to indicate how the dreamer, about whom the dream is nine out of ten cases, is depicted:

The soul, the intelligent energy, the real devine man, son of God, making you man is connected for live to your body at conception.
That's the reason why this is seen as a matrimony: man and wife.
That is also why in most of the dreams, when the dreamer is talking about his partner (wife, husband, partner, etc), he or she just symbolize the Soul.
Because the Soul bears the light, the live energy making it possible that the personality, the Ego , the dreamer referring to himself as I, is alive, his spirit (that of the Ego, the dreamer) is sybolized as his/their child (that is to say with the husband/wife symbolizing the Soul).

In this dream the man, girl and the woman simbolize you as a totality in your body, whereby the woman is suposed to be your soul and the girl your spirit. ...

And now it comes:
you describe the dream through the eyes of God, The Eye That Sees Everything; He let you watch through his 'glasses' loking at yourself how He saved you, although not unscathed.

So, now you now why you experienced what the action of the attackers would be: He and He alone knows the past and the future. He is the beginning and the end, He is Omnipotent.

The evil attackers where demons are agents of the Devil.

In dreams the space wherein the dreamer is (room, skool, hospital etc, ...) symbolize the body. Here the landscape symbolize espacialy your spiritual condition, your bad relationship with Him, the reason why your attackers got the chance to touch you.

So God lets you know that He follows you , 'but you are not warm nor cold', The Devil is after you. ....

So far. Excuse my creaky english. Point me to my mistakes or let me know what you don't understand.

 

[PaulKH]

Wow, I am fascinated and humbled by the responses and so I will try to respond to you all at once, like three aspects of an incredibly complex and life-growth-affirming activity: dreaming in this meaningful way.

Yes, Lyn, I am a writer who still remembers struggling to detail and describe a mind-altering dream in 1988/9, perhaps my first instance of truly "taking it to heart", and I've been doing so to my limited-yet-increasing ability since then. These past two years I have *lived* dreams with more sensitivity because they are the true subject of my latest novel, and I feel like I've been turbo-charged in my learning...and yet the path in which I learn is different from each of yours and also incomplete, and I feel your three inputs showing this to me! There is such a wondrous amount to grow and learn from in a single dream (if we allow it) and we can get so many of them!

Truly marvelous!

Heh, Uncle, no I am most definitely not going to tell you I am buddhist or muslim. From an early age, I knew the dangers of religions and the narrowing they attempt to do even while claiming they are "the way", and so have searched, studied, and rejected much of each as harmful results of small-minded people trying to force this expansive/flexible/mysterious reality into their simplified boxes so they can feel right, like they want to pretend that they have grasped a larger view of the Divine. This is truly a path of folly that ultimately hurts our entire species. I will stress a summation this way: wisdom does not come through religion, but sometimes *despite* it. (That there are wise-by-comparison persons in every religion is not a condition of any religious training but rather a mostly unrelated consequence; some minds remain open despite the closed loop they are taught, thanks to more spiritual aspects.) For my own personal self, I merely identify as Human.

I've long studied the power of emotions and their true purpose in guiding/assisting our core *being* (they are an identifiable yet inseparable part of it, after all), but I have also been wary of ones whose purposes have been distorted into some dysfunctional state (quite literally meaning "no longer functioning properly", where they have become disruptors rather than guides). Most of my dreams have such a wide range that if I compared them *only* to my emotional understandings, conscious or subconscious/imagined, I would *still* be limiting the dreams to much less than they can be. And yet, there are vital aspects to be learned by this approach, by these comparisons. I find no environmental similarities to anything I have going in real life, not from a location or persons or holidays; I have learned to be very chill/unphased/unstressed by holiday times (they happen, they pass, and they are mostly inconsequential in any grand sense). However, I do pick up on others' stress even in faint ways, and part of that could manifest in ways that make me glad to not be them. (imagine my cheeky grin here) I used to always ask, "what caused this dream?!" while reviewing previous recent events in my life, but it has been a long time since I have found any connections, partly because my life progress is so understood and accepted (ie, nothing *to* work out, only to experience, be amazed, and grow from). That said, I acknowledge this is off the top of my head, so to speak, and so I will give this deeper consideration, thanks.

I used to take the classical view, and have studied philosophies of the mind in college (influential Jung has honorable mentions in my writing, as well as much influence over the non-fiction aspects of it), so, Lyn, I am no stranger to this analysis, and yet... I have had dreams actually *tell* me this is too limited a view to take, like reading one sign on the side of a bus as it passes you by! It is, however, thanks to dear Jung, a wonderful starting point, and where I basically began my journey with the analysis of "what does it all mean to me" until the dreams forced me to take a larger view of what was happening--much larger than my id or my ego could contain. In the case of this particular dream, though, you resonate through that aspect: in that I am caring and thoughtful--always pushing for deeper understandings--and yet more frustrated and angry aspects often display/play out in my dreams (take the role of villain). I have learned many negative things through dreams by watching the horror of them play out, and then because I *felt* the consequences/harmful ripples, have been more resolved than ever to grow in such a way to prevent similarities. In other words, I have even used terrible dreams in my efforts to grow as positively as possible. And yet, the only "life force" I need from those men is the hard lessons they give whenever they lurch out from shadow. We can learn much of how not to be from analyzing our dreams; this is the essence of internal agency.

Harvey, thank you for putting in so much effort, despite the language barrier. Your thoughtful delivery is effective/meaningful to me. Despite the assumptions of terms, the lesson of higher awareness shines through--rings like a clear bell tone. I am actively studying these possibilities like an eager student who knows that *any* learning, even if it remains a tiny fraction of the whole, is better than closing off the exploration/searching/journey. And as a writer, I am always struggling to better capture these amazing moments and insights to share with others, and without any doubt, dreams are working/guiding me through this process! In this part-of-me is the emotional underpinning, and perhaps the shown-to-me imagery of being the tour guide, of helping others have a pleasant and educational trip (before the attack).

And I will turn the speculation around for a moment and ask: what if the three I was guiding in the dream were you three? We will never *know*, I'm sure, but it is a perspective-opening thought, even when quickly dismissed.

The underlying depth of my novel is showing much of what you say--that dreams in their overarching manner guide and *grow* us, often in subtle ways too faint to be perceived, and yet they are constant in their efforts: exercise (processing), emotional interconnections, new experiences, and then application of what is learned--all of this while steadily enhancing who we can become in a way that helps us in our conscious life! Again I will call out, "Marvelous!"

Remember that this is only one dream of the countless-to-me I have had, some were "heavens" far too incredible to describe and more than any emotional being can handle--such that the overflow then spills from us as rivers of tears!

If you are interested, here is a novel scene from "Dream Knights", hinting at one of my more boggling dream images of a glorious "heavenly" city that could be anything at any time for anyone (if not interest, simply skip to the final paragraph):

------

“I wasn’t walking or riding through the field, but I was moving…somehow.” Kris was in the middle of recounting a dream that had prompted an additional group meeting amid the stress and anxiety of finals week. “It was flat and featureless, or so I thought, like going through a uniform field of wheat for the umpteenth time. But in the distance, on the horizon… It was a city of gleaming towers and ornamental bridges and buildings, so beautiful that I literally have no words.”

With intensity, she leaned in toward the others. “But here’s the thing: even if I could describe it in exact detail, it wouldn’t matter, because—amazingly—I knew the city could be anything or look like anything. Like I could mold it or influence it, but even that isn’t right because it had nothing to do with me, personally. But I know for a fact that the vision could and would change as needed.”

When she was clearly done, and in an attempt to help, Doug asked, “Like it could change for you, based on your need?”

“Or perhaps that you were there because it was what you needed?” Will speculated.

With tears forming, Kris said in an emotional voice, “Yes, and yes, and…more. I don’t know, but it was promise and stimulation and relief!”

Cathy stood with arms held open. “Oh, how I missed this!” she exclaimed while they hugged. After lingering in that shared moment, they returned to their seats, trading contented smiles. No one else had a dream worth mentioning, but now they felt the truth of their convictions, that when they were ready and hungered for them and reached for them and opened to them, dreams would return like a bright spring day after an unseasonable stretch of gloomy weather.

As the group talked about what the city alluded to and what that feeling of promise meant, whether intellectual or spiritual or some balance of both, or something altogether different, Doug looked around at their rebound of enthusiasm. “And we can now view these with newly opened eyes.”

With a giggle, Cathy added, “Even if we’re still lost.”

“Exploring,” Will corrected with a finger in the air to say, This Is Important. “Explorers are never lost.”

Not to be outdone, Nolan said, “Or maybe they are always lost, by design.”

“A quibble.” Will tapped his nose at the perspective shift before grinning again. “The important thing is that we search without ever feeling at a loss.”

Doug agreed. “The searching is part of the gift, this treasure we’ve discovered.”

“And here’s to treasure,” Will crowed in a slight pirate-y tone while holding aloft his now-empty coffee cup. Though some rolled their eyes, all participated in the toast before heading for refills.


------

I realize this post is far too-much-too-soon to take in, but part of me will always be the exuberant, boundary-pushing boy of my youth, despite any transformations.

May your own growth be as meaningful!

 

[Harvey]

Hello Paul, you are wrong, i am not speculating! I know it is heavy stuff to just read quick through. I am a psycho-analytic dreamexplainer. That is why before i explained the dream i had written down some things that you need to read carefully and understand as a requirement to be able to follow me: the dreamer (you in this case) is seen as a matrimony, man and wife and child, whereby the child represent his (your) spirit.

As to this:
"And I will turn the speculation around for a moment and ask: what if the three I was guiding in the dream were you three? We will never *know*, I'm sure, but it is a perspective-opening thought, even when quickly dismissed"

There is a reason why i had written that in this manner:

"He wants to make you become aware right in the act of  leading  ( three) other people along your hiking trail (being a "dreamwalker") of sorts. Who are the 3 other people in the dream and what is really happening? We are here on the forum trying to find The Truth about dreams, and He knows that you have been paving the way in your dream declaration activities for almost 40 years."

So answering your question above: that is the reason why i had written it in this manner; Because back then i already realized, like you now, that it also refers to our meeting here on the forum that you had 'organized' ! But i let that for later concentrating in explaning you first the tough matter that the 3 are you etc etc!

You all are accusing me bringing religion: i don't bring religion, but i am spiritual. It is a difference. I'm not member of a church an i'm not calling myself a christian and have good reason for that.

Here is the hand of God as you see, ...or not?
He has planned this meeting and it also refers to the meeting of Polga, the 4th member, published after i already had written and published this:

"He and He alone knows the past and the future. He is the beginning and the end, He is Omnipotent".

You agree now that God is on the scene?
You also have noticed that we both became member almost the same day? And i think i am just a few years older than you, and i awakened spiritually in 1985.

I assure you that this dream is just the beginning of Great Things!

 

[PaulKH]

Hello Paul, you are wrong, i am not speculating! I know it is heavy stuff to just read quick through. I am a psycho-analytic dreamexplainer. That is why before i explained the dream i had written down some things that you need to read carefully and understand as a requirement to be able to follow me: the dreamer (you in this case) is seen as a matrimony, man and wife and child, whereby the child represent his spirit.

As to this:
"And I will turn the speculation around for a moment and ask: what if the three I was guiding in the dream were you three? We will never *know*, I'm sure, but it is a perspective-opening thought, even when quickly dismissed"

There is a reason why i had written this in this manner:

"He wants to make you become aware right in the act of  leading  ( three) other people along your hiking trail (being a "dreamwalker") of sorts. Who are the 3 other people in the dream and what is really happening? We are here on the forum trying to find The Truth about dreams, and He knows that you have been paving the way in your dream declaration activities for almost 40 years."

So answering your question above: that is the reason why i had written it in this manner; Because back then i already realized, like you that it also refers to our meeting here on the forum that you had 'organized' ! But i let that for later concentrating in explaning you first the tough matter that the 3 are you etc etc!

You all are accusing me bringing religion: i don't bring religion, but i am spiritual. It is a difference. I'm not member of a church an i'm not calling myself a christian and have good reason for that.

Here is the hand of God as you see, ...or not?
He has planned this meeting and it also refers to the meeting of Polga, the 4th member, published after i already had written and published this:

"He and He alone knows the past and the future. He is the beginning and the end, He is Omnipotent".

You agree now that God is on the scene?
You also have noticed that we both became member almost the same day? And i think i am just a few years older than you, and i awakened spiritually in 1985.

I assure you that this dream is just the beginning of Great Things!

I have been indeed spending much open-aware-thinking time on this, Harvey, thanks again. See the new post and dream that finally told me it was time to begin talking about my thoughts. As for dream guides or God or however we want to name the incredible force (the naming matters not for the divine, only for us in how we communicate to each other), I am open-and-aware of the challenge and always pushing myself to be well prepared--this is partly the reason, I think, that I was shown the dreams I have been shown. Why I stopped my other plans to write the current novel. I was writing and singing and playing/composing music from a very early age, not to just have something to do, but to learn forms of communication, of *transference* to others, and these are the kinds of practiced skills that the dream realm needs in a dreamer! To make better use of us, is a way of thinking about it. So, heh, challenge accepted--and appreciated/savored. I love being able to dream-see and talk about and grow from dreams, and I hope we can all do so in a way that leads to awakening on a healthy-formative-enlightening level. So much potential remains untapped in humans, and it truly seems like dreams are encouraging more of this to happen.