posted August 05, 2003 11:54 AM         

First...I have recurring dreams of being back in highschool as a student. The one last night was different in that I was there in a teaching capacity, if this has any significance.

So, my first "scene" is of me running around the halls trying to find the room I'm supposed to be in, and I'm late (this IS typical in my school dreams) The next scene, I'm finally in my classroom at my present age (I've 2 nearly grown daughters and that's all I'm saying about that, lol); in fact my older daughter is one of my students. I must be an English teacher because in class we're having a lively discussion about Literature. Things are proceeding nicely when suddenly the door bursts open and a young man with a handgun comes in!

Naturally everyone is terrified. He closes the door behind him, holding us all captive. He starts flailing the gun around, saying something like..."One or more of you are gonna die; just accept it!" and he's looking around the room as if trying to decide who will be his first victim. I speak up, talking calmly to him, trying to persuade him to give the gun to me. It's then that he actually notices me and he says, "Okay Teacher...I pick you! Say your prayers." The other students are getting hysterical by now, with my daughter crying the loudest, "Please don't hurt my Mother!" While it isn't specified, I somehow know that if he shoots me, he will not harm anyone else, so I tell the students to please settle down; it will be all right. They continue to protest while I sit down on the floor in a corner trying to mentally prepare myself for what I think will be my death. I'm scared of course, but I remember distinctly having the thought, 'I've lived my life, reached important goals I had. If somebody has to die, I'd rather it be me than one of these kids who have their whole lives ahead of them...please God, let him go away after he takes me'.

So, this menacing young man slowly walks over to me and is pointing the gun to my head. I can hear my daughter screaming and sobbing. I look up and see him towering over me. At that moment, the door again bursts open and 3 other young men come running in. In a flash, these other 3 boys overcome the one with the gun, getting his weapon and knocking him unconscious...thus saving my life and the day!

One of the *unusual* things about this scenario is the fact that the 3 young heroes who rescue us are themselves gangmembers; very tough-looking with "bad" reputations...the kind of kids who have been known to be troublemakers, feared by other students and teachers alike. At the same time, the one with the gun *appeared* to be a "good kid"...clean cut, nicely dressed, etc. etc.

Shortly after everything calmed down in the dream I woke up, wondering what it could have meant. The most obvious conclusion I had was the proverbial "you can't judge a book by its cover", but the rest of the dream eludes me. Any input would be appreciated!

Thank you

posted August 05, 2003 02:18 PM         

Glad to have you back here.

I will have a look at your dream tonight.

It almost feels like a spiritual test of sorts, does it not? Have you sacrificed yourself in some way lately? Do you feel powerless in some situation? Has there been any sort of fearful experience lately? Have you mis-judged something lately?

posted August 06, 2003 01:21 AM         

In answer to your questions...yes, yes, yes, and yes!

Sacrifice: Other than the fact that I regularly sacrifice for them in little ways I, like any parent I think, would lay down my life for my kids without hesitation...I guess the fact that one of my daughters was in the dream signifies this?

Feeling powerless: learning to let go as my girls grow; having to stand by and watch them make mistakes. It's necessary and healthy I know, which enables me to do this, but it's hard nevertheless. Also, the recent health problems they've had; my being unable to take their pain away.

Fearful experience: one daughter's surgery and the fear of a malignancy (it wasn't, thank God); the other daughter's still unresolved health problem -- even though I'm grateful she won't be needing surgery -- she is still seeing doctors and getting more tests...all of which has been going on since April.

Mis-judging: discovering a friend wasn't really one.

Ra, thank you for these questions; I do see the symbolism of my dream now, except for the gun and the violence it represented to me. If you have anything to add I'd love to hear it. Thanks again.

posted August 06, 2003 02:10 PM         

I could not quite engage my mind last night, so my notes are few and incomplete. Just as well, though, because I do not have time to write anything now anyway!

Tomorrow should be a bit more fruitful. Thank you for your patience.

posted August 06, 2003 03:54 PM         

No problem; there's no rush.

posted August 08, 2003 11:04 PM         

I would say that the gun and the violence symbolize anger of some kind - an anger towards self. Does this mean anything to you?

My time is so limited at the moment that I have not been able to devote as much time to my words here as I wish. Thank you for your patience.

posted August 10, 2003 11:41 PM         

I got it.

I'm hoping that the fact there was no actual violence in the dream despite the threat...means the anger at self is solvable; maybe in a way I won't expect it (re the "thugs" in the dream saving me).

posted August 11, 2003 11:45 AM         

Again, I apologize for the lack of detail and comment on your dream. I feel I have handled this one inadequately, and hope you are not disappointed. If there are ANY other questions about this dream or any other, PLEASE let me know. If you feel that I have missed something important, or if something does not feel right, please tell me and I will have another look asap.

Thank you for sharing your dream!

posted August 11, 2003 11:50 AM         

I will be happy to at least give you some of my thoughts about some of the symbols that led me to the questions, if you would like.

... until then!

posted August 11, 2003 05:57 PM         

As ever, I always welcome your thoughts, and would be interested in anything else you may like to add re the symbols of my dream; but it's really okay if you are not able, because I feel pretty satisfied with the conclusions I've reached thanks to the thought-provoking questions you asked early on.