The Significance of Dreams (2024-12-28)

Ru Chun: On December 19th, I dreamed that I was about to enter a U-shaped cesspit, similar to a yellow mud pit. I felt a bit uncomfortable, worried that the excrement would get on me. I walked from one end to the other, maintaining a certain distance from the surrounding filth the entire time, and not a speck dirtied my body. At the exit, there was a set of rotating doors, revolving like a moving walkway, with square and round openings. I had originally planned to exit through the square opening, but then it occurred to me: why must I squeeze through this opening? Couldn’t I just go out directly? As soon as this thought arose, I was out.

On December 22nd, I dreamed of trying to crawl through a familiar mountain cave. Upon reaching the cave entrance this time, I was surprised to find that the entrance was blocked by stones and I couldn’t enter. Looking back, I suddenly thought: why does this cave entrance look so much like a human navel? Teacher, I’ve had several dreams in a row these past few days. I wonder if they hold any significance?

Reply: The first dream reveals the process of you eliminating afflictions. You were striving to avoid the afflictions, not letting them defile you. In the dream, you sought to escape the mire of afflictions, thinking there must be some trick to severing them, but then discovered that merely shifting your thoughts allowed you to exit the gate of afflictions—no special antidote was needed. Afflictions are akin to these filthy substances; once removed, preventing further contamination forms a habit of purity. The dream indicates that your practice has reached the stage of subduing and severing afflictions. Only after afflictions are subdued and the mind turns pure can one realize the path.

The second dream shows that on the familiar path of rebirth within the six realms through countless kalpas, you discovered that this path of rebirth has been blocked, preventing further rebirth and cycling through samsara. By whom was it blocked? It was blocked by you yourself through your practice. When one realizes the path through practice, the three fetters are severed, and one no longer falls into the three evil realms. This indicates that your current practice holds great promise for path realization; you are not far from it. The cave entrance resembling a navel signifies samsara—the cycle leading to the three evil realms. You have the potential to sever the three fetters, no longer needing to undergo retribution in the three evil realms. Having these two prophetic dreams is worthy of congratulations and praise; you are close to bearing fruit.