Spiritual dreams: Spiritual dreams - The sign of a new dawning?

By David F. Melbourne

Nowadays, my mailbag produces an ever increasing number of dreams which, when analysed, are spiritual or contain elements of spirituality - but why, and do these same dreams provide clues? Much can be learned from dreams, and I believe that they are screaming out at us some answers to these questions.

Interestingly, this increase coincides with the general trend pervading modern society of the population apparently splitting into categories, which are becoming ever more entrenched in their own respective beliefs.

Growing numbers of people are leaving the established churches in search of something that will satisfy their spiritual needs. Spiritualism seems to be benefiting from the exodus, also there are more pagans along with an expansion of various derivatives of witchcraft.

As we approach the millennium, the so called 'new age' alternatives are picking up momentum, as well as many branches of the occult. Some claim that this move away from established theology is a symptom of something simmering just beneath the surface, a fresh understanding that is reaching a climax in preparation for the dawning of a new age of spirituality.

Could it simply be that the established churches have failed to keep up with modern trends, and are no longer satisfying a spiritual need, or is there something more to it than that? Today, it seems easier than ever before to assert philosophies of radical new alternatives. Just consider how many religious sects rise from the ashes of the conventional churches.

The acceleration of computer technology, however, might have a direct bearing on the increasing amount of spiritual dreams which are undoubtedly occurring in the western world. For within the realm of computers might lie the ultimate spiritual answers for which humanity seems to be hungering. Indeed, if the established religions in the west were to accept the premise of reincarnation and blend it with developments in computer technology, they might find their places of worship filling up again.

In fact, had it not been for one or two men of the cloth, guided by internal politics and seeking power over the masses, reincarnation would still be accepted as the norm, and the issue pursued in the minds of the 'eager to learn' among the congregation. It may come as a surprise to learn that the idea of reincarnation was accepted in its entirety by most early branches of the Christian religion.

It is a pitiful reflection of human politics when we consider that in 553 AD, by just three votes cast by ordinary people - men of the cloth notwithstanding - at the second Council of Constantinople, it was decided that we live only once. Who were these men? How did they know? Were they privy to divine wisdom, if so, how?

There is a growing mountain of evidence strongly supporting the case for reincarnation. If, therefore, a belief in reincarnation was combined with the developments of computer technology, we could discover an interesting answer, and one which might suggest that dreams also serve another important purpose.

Let us play devil's advocate. The race is now on to develop the ultimate experience in the realm of virtual reality. This is a realm so real that the user will not be able to distinguish between the virtual reality system and the reality in which we live. It is said, that one day facilities will exist for the user to have all bodily functions and needs catered for, without exiting the virtual experience. Indeed, it is claimed that once 'plugged in', nobody would want to return to this existence.

Already a method is being developed of detecting brain-waves that register energy so low that it is barely perceptible - a single thought, in other words. But this set-up would function on a two way basis. On one hand it would maintain the illusion of virtual reality, while at the same time monitoring the user's brainwave activity - input and output.

Incredible as it may seem, computers are advancing at such a rate that this concept could be reality, virtually, in the near future.

Imagine a system where one could enter an illusion so authentic, that after a short time, the user would become convinced that he or she was acting out events in another real world. To enhance the reality of the experience, to make it totally convincing, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the user's memory could be withheld until the program had run its course. That way, any previous identity would be null and void, and the user would be convinced beyond doubt - objective achieved.

It is conceivable that such a sophisticated system could become interactive - plugged into a sort of internet, where common experiences could be shared. Indeed, it is likely that such an object would be made smaller and smaller until one day everybody could have several systems installed at home - millions of interactive virtual reality programs. This way, the virtual reality would achieve absolute reality - with people actually living out real lives in an illusion.

Perhaps these systems might be employed to develop one's character, to see how one might react in certain situations - challenges or temptations, perhaps? Then, when the program came to an end, and after reviewing his actions via the feed-back facility - to refresh the memory - an assessment of performance could be carried out by the user himself. A judgement might then be made.

However, assuming that this world would cease to function if the majority of the population were 'plugged in' endlessly, at least one safety mechanism would have to be installed, so that the user could assimilate the experience as if it were real, without impeding his existence in this world.

It is accepted that the human brain can assimilate things faster than the conscious mind can conceive. For example, there is a theory that after scanning quickly through a book by flicking through the pages, subsequently, under hypnosis, detailed text can be recalled in amazing clarity.

Therefore it becomes feasible that these virtual reality programmes could be run at incredible speeds. Under these circumstances, the user might assimilate a lifetime's experience in a single day. Unplugged, the subject would believe that he had spent an entire lifetime in the virtual reality system. Following this line of thought, perhaps the program could be made to operate on a sort of loop, in which case, time would no longer be linear, (starting at point a, and proceeding to point b).

If this were the case, then a user who had interacted in a new situation with others, might find himself privy to flashes of foreknowledge, (precognition). In fact, the list of possibilities is endless, and I am sure that many readers will be able to take this line of thinking to extraordinary lengths. Indeed, using this premise, anything would be possible and all aspects of paranormal activity itself could be explained - from the poltergeist to telekinesis.

Now let us parallel these thoughts to the lives we live now. Are not human beings supposed to be made in God's own image? Are we so arrogant as to believe that we are the only intelligent life capable of inventing such a system of virtual reality? Perhaps it was done many thousands of years ago? Where do the myths and legends of Atlantis spring from, for example?

As we are so close to actually developing the ultimate virtual reality system, does it not become feasible that we are already experiencing the supreme version of such incredible technology. Are we living an illusion of virtual reality now - created by God?

Donning the cap of devil's advocate even further, if we look at Dr. Keith Hearne's hypothesis, where he suggests that we might exist in a mentalistic universe, this would also fit with the theory of a fantastic system of virtual reality. This suggests yet another interesting theory. Perhaps astrology works not because of the minute effects on the brain by heavenly bodies, but because the presence of the constellations of the universe exists in the consciousness.

When the scheme of things is viewed in this light, then it is hardly surprising that oracular systems can appear to work, too. Could great seers like Nostrodamus have had some sort of access to a loop in time? Psychometry, tarot, runes, graphology, to name a few, could all function with success in a mentalistic universe. Is it possible that this train of thought could be on the right tracks?

Perhaps dreams serve yet another purpose - that of feedback in an input, output system? If this is true, spiritual dreams might be serving two functions - bringing us messages, and storing memories for a life-review at the time of death, (or end of program), in order to facilitate our own judgment of performance? Then, should we be displeased with the results, it might be decided that we should run another program until the desired lesson has been learnt - in other words, reincarnation!

Moreover, it does not stretch the imagination if we consider that dreams, too, are interactive on the web of two-way communication. This hypothesis would go a long way to answer the theory of a 'collective consciousness'. It would also account for the many reported cases of 'shared dreams' - where two or more people subsequently recall interacting in the same dream.

Is not this argument more appealing than any the established, orthodox religions put forward? Perhaps if the churches were to stay abreast of the times and employ a little lateral thinking, their congregations might come flocking back. People are crying out for an alternative to the out-dated, man-made doctrines of the establishment!

Nevertheless, it does seem that this thirst for spiritual knowledge results in dreams which are spiritual in nature turning up in my mailbag with increasing frequency. So how are such dreams recognised?

They represent themselves in a variety of ways, from the clear-cut to the obscure and sometimes outlandish. The most obvious examples often incorporate symbols that are spiritual in nature, a church, members of the clergy, a crucifix, a Bible and so on. Occasionally, I encounter a dream that incorporates all of these features.

For example, one client reported a dream in which he was kneeling in front of an archbishop, who was lit up from behind by a bright light. The presence of an altar rail and other religious impedimenta in the dream setting, left little doubt as to which category the dream fell into.

Slightly more obscure spiritual dreams can occur when visions manifest of deceased relatives or friends. In general, these dreams are providing reassurance, warning of something, or more usually imparting some kind of symbolic message of encouragement. However, some spiritual dreams can present themselves in quite bizarre circumstances, accompanied by fantastic visual imagery.

Usually, these dreams are pointing to ways in which the dreamer can advance his or her own spirituality, either by positive action or meditative speculation, or a combination of both. Sometimes, they serve the purpose of providing comfort, reassurance and a boost to the subject's confidence.

However, to return to the opening paragraph, I have discovered a recurring theme in dreams which translate as glimpses of past lives.

1. These dreams are always accompanied by high emotional content
2. The dreamer does not recognise his or her own body
3. Their garments are never fitting to this day and age

It is these dreams which appear to be growing rapidly in numbers among the population. It would seem that reincarnation is not prepared to wait to be verified. Instead, it appears to be thrusting itself with some urgency into the conscious mind by way of these dreams.

Perhaps the interactive virtual reality programmes of this life have begun to run their course. Could it be that the increasing numbers of these dreams are just the early signs which do precede a new dawning of an age of spiritual awareness?

DAVID F. MELBOURNE, who lives on a remote Scottish island, has been studying dreams for 25 years and is known all over the world for his accurate dream interpretations. Apart from the general public, he has analysed dreams for celebrities and famous authors, all of whom have admitted a high degree of accuracy.

David was the first person to discover the 'trigger mechanism' in sleep, which identifies message-bearing dreams, thus disproving Freud's idea that dreams are the guardian of sleep. He was also the first to establish a link between neurological visions, caused by trauma, and the subconscious. He has written a fantasy novel, and has had about 40 short stories (nearly all inspired by dreams) published by various imprints.

More about David F. Melbourne can be found at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/dreamthemes