Confucian experience
Last night I had an incredibly vivid dream that I could fly. This was weird for me both in terms of coherency and recall- normally my dreams are much noisier and harder to remember for long. I figure I should write about it for the benefit of future biographers. :-)
I was at home, and kept finding myself surprised to be flying (sort of hitchhiker's guide flying; not necessarily throwing yourself at the ground and missing, but no awkward wings or concentration, but definitely heavier-than-air flight nonetheless.
At one point, waking up in bed, I was hovering about six inches above the sheets (quilt still on tomp of me) and very concerned that I was only dreaming; it seemed like waking up and learning I couldn't fly would be woeful. But then I was able to reassure myself I was really awake, and went out flying in the bright summer sunlight.
I kept hitting power or telephone lines, but although it was scary I didn't get electrocuted.
Someone I was flying with (maybe my sister?) thought we should use the opportunity to cut down all the catepillars growing high in the cherry tree, but that seemed wrong somehow.
At one point I realized that if I'd been wrong about my ability to fly, I might be wrong about a whole bunch of things, and did some serious praying. Or maybe transcending, or something.
I again became concerned that this was just a dream, but was again able to determine that I must be awake.
Immediately upon awaking, I remembered Plotinus talking about direct experience with the (?One? ?nous? ?plurality? ?divine?... something) and decided that maybe I finally got it.
Anyways, I've never had such a thoughty dream before. Pretty cheery for epistemology, too.
I was at home, and kept finding myself surprised to be flying (sort of hitchhiker's guide flying; not necessarily throwing yourself at the ground and missing, but no awkward wings or concentration, but definitely heavier-than-air flight nonetheless.
At one point, waking up in bed, I was hovering about six inches above the sheets (quilt still on tomp of me) and very concerned that I was only dreaming; it seemed like waking up and learning I couldn't fly would be woeful. But then I was able to reassure myself I was really awake, and went out flying in the bright summer sunlight.
I kept hitting power or telephone lines, but although it was scary I didn't get electrocuted.
Someone I was flying with (maybe my sister?) thought we should use the opportunity to cut down all the catepillars growing high in the cherry tree, but that seemed wrong somehow.
At one point I realized that if I'd been wrong about my ability to fly, I might be wrong about a whole bunch of things, and did some serious praying. Or maybe transcending, or something.
I again became concerned that this was just a dream, but was again able to determine that I must be awake.
Immediately upon awaking, I remembered Plotinus talking about direct experience with the (?One? ?nous? ?plurality? ?divine?... something) and decided that maybe I finally got it.
Anyways, I've never had such a thoughty dream before. Pretty cheery for epistemology, too.