Periscope Dreams
“That which is dreamed can never be lost, can never be undreamed.” - Neil Gaiman
In sleep, we set aside the rigid focus on linear time and allow our spirits to dive deep and meander through the percolating stew of beingness. In dreams, we are recalled to our larger selves and the roles we play in creating and executing our grand and exquisitely rendered reality.
This reality is governed by very specific, very precise rules that define what is and isn’t possible - what can and can’t be seen (by whom and by what), what can and can’t be created, measured, lived, and when and how we come and go. But the skin of this reality is both permeable and thin. It’s not meant to confine us so much as help us carry the light of who we are into physical reality - to dream ourselves awake.
I mention all this because I’ve been having a waking dream (what I call a periscope dream) in which I am suddenly aware of Earth as a sentient being - a living, breathing presence with intention and purpose - and myself as a speck of light twinkling on her skin. Earth and I are known to one another and often exchange what I call “memos of understanding,”reminders of the love we share.
In this dream shared by Earth, I see billions of lives coming and going. Those who are arriving resemble tiny meteors speeding with purpose and intent into physical form. Those who are departing are more deliberate. The intensity of their light waxes and wans - glowing one moment and fading the next as they dip and bob and weave their way upward like fireflies on a muggy summer’s night. They are following some traectory known only to themselves but it is clear they are heading home.
I suspect this dream is the result of the sudden and unexpected deaths of so many cherished souls recently. It is Earth’s gentle way of comforting and reminding me that all is well, and nothing is ever really lost - just transformed.
Nevertheless, since I am still part of this grand reality we are co-creating, I feel compelled to honor, and thank those who have left with a song. I have chosen, “Drops of Jupiter” by Patrick Monahan from the band, Train. Patrick wrote it as a way to celebrate and remember his mother when she passed. It captures both her irrepressible personality and the many joyful ways he imagines her spending time now that she’s left Earth.
Special thoughts and love also go out to the island of Maui and the Hawaiian people. Maui was my home for nine years and I will be forever grateful for the love and support she gave me. “Hoʻouna aloha, Maui.” This song is for you: Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Wonderful World mix by Israel “IZ” Kamakaweiwo’ole
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to my new Substack, “Whales in My Backyard,” where I am sharing the stories of the many creatures who have been my teachers over the years. Paid subscribers also have access to the “WIMBY Chronicles - Tales of a wandering humpack whale.” This material is specifically for kids (ages 6 - 12) and includes creative activities, games, and songs. You can learn more about WIMBY by clicking the image below to visit his page.
Wimby and I gratefully accept donations as well as subscriptions. To make a one-time donation, please click on the donation button below to be taken to our PayPal page. Thank you!
Copyright 2023 by Jena Ball. All Rights Reserved.
Don't forget to click the image link for a song to go with the post!
If Neil Gaiman writes it, I will be reading it.
The vivid imagery and poetic nature of your post truly resonates with me. The idea of dreams as a bridge between our conscious reality and the vastness of our inner universe is both profound and grounding. It’s a beautiful reminder of the interconnectedness of everything - from the vastness of our planet to the minutiae of our own individual lives. The concept of Earth as a sentient being is also deeply thought-provoking; it makes one wonder about our role in this grand tapestry of existence.
Your dream, juxtaposed with the tragic reality of sudden losses, serves as a touching testament to the cyclical nature of life. The way you describe souls arriving and departing from Earth is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, providing a gentle affirmation that while life's journey may have its inevitable ends, the essence of our being continues in myriad forms.
Thank you for sharing such a personal and evocative reflection. It's a reminder that even in the face of loss, there's always a glimmer of hope and love intertwined with the mysteries of existence.
You touched my heart.
You have touched my heart this Sunday evening and I’m grateful.