Dharma Dreams: A Pure Land

I had somewhere to go.  I crossed the street, walked through the parking lot and into the park.

It was the most beautiful park I had ever seen.  The trees glistened like in those old master Dutch paintings.  There was a sense a profound peace that permeated everything I saw, the air and myself.  It smothered the tiny insecurity in me that said I wasn't supposed to be there.

A large group of people stood alongside the field of grass.  Every kind of person you could imagine, young, old, thin, fat, royal dress, tattered shards, black, white, purple. Ok, no purple but you get the idea.

A tall person welcomed me and they all turned to look at me.  I think I interrupted something but I was too overwhelmed by the profound peace that I figured it was okay, it had to be okay.  Any sense of self consciousness, such as embarrassment, seemed utterly useless and inconsequential in that place.

That place "out beyond right and wrong" (Rumi).

All the people moved (more like floated) to the other side of the field.  I wasn't supposed to be there but I couldn't move.

In the distance, I saw three small white horses with long flowing hair.  I recognized them as the Father, Christ and Holy Spirit.  Yes, I recognized them.  I can't tell you how I recognized them as the divine Christian trinity, I just did.  Though this dream was pre-Dharma days, I'm not sure what other divinity I would ascribe to the beings I recognized.  In that place, labels did not seem all that important.  What was important was their importance.

I felt a reverence but not one of awe, more of as-a-matter-of-fact, like it was normal to see them there.  I wanted to be respectful but I didn't know what to do.  I hoped that they would approach and they did.  They did that kind of float thing across the field in unison.  I knew their appearance was not intrinsic to their nature, they did not have a density of being but simply appeared in a manner as to be recognized.

The three of them approached so close I could reach out and touch them but I dared not.  I wanted to engage, to speak, to ask a question but I dared not.  I was not afraid but simply at a loss for what to do. I only wondered if their flowing hair was as soft as it appeared.

I know. I totally blew it.  In the presence of the divinity, I turn deer-in-headlights, "ooh, how pretty!" Knock me upside the head next time you see me, please!

Anyhow, just as Christ's hair barely brushed my hand, beyond soft is the only way to describe it, I heard my washing machine buzzer go off.  I immediately turned and joyfully ran off to finish my laundry knowing that place would always be there and I could return whenever I wanted!

Then I woke up.

Use a big sledge hammer.