I was walking down the streets when I heard the sound of a dog barking behind me. I turned back and found that a dog, full of rage was running straight towards me. Immediately I started running away from the dog. I was running as fast as I can, but the dog was full of determination and continued to chase me. I tried to escape the dog by climbing on to the trees, but the dog too climbed on the trees. I jumped to the top of the building and the dog followed me wherever I went. That was one determined dog decided to hunt me no matter what. The chase continued and continued, every moment felt like whole ages. My being was filled with fear from top to bottom, I was sweating and my heart was pounding as I was running, the dog too was inching closer and closer and closer.
Just then I saw a serene person standing on the street, he looked like an old friend, he looked like a Buddha. I felt that he is the only person who can save me. I went to him, and tried to hide behind him. I prayed him to save me. This man seemed to have an effect on the dog the dog dare not approach me who was hiding behind him. I was still breathing fast, and the heart was beating fast, and I asked him why the dog is following me? “Why me? of all the people?” He smiled at me and told me something to this effect, “It’s all your own making. You don’t remember, you poured water on the dog and threw stones at the dog (!) and that’s why he’s determined to take a revenge on you. The law takes its course whether or not you remember your past actions. Nothing comes unwarranted. You reap what you sow.” Saying this, he disappeared leaving me all alone with the dog at a striking distance before me. The dog was looking at me furiously with clenched teeth. There is no use in running now. Yes, the Buddha was right, it’s all due to my own karma, I ridiculed the dog by pouring water and throwing stones at him, and he’s now chasing me to fulfil the law. I had no other option now. I gave up and let the law take its course. There is nothing more for me now. It’s all over, I renounce, I totally surrender. I gave up all hopes, and surprisingly the fears too left me. I was facing the moment, facing the furious dog, he was about to strike me, this is it, this is the moment…. just then, suddenly, everything vanished… the dream broke! Oh my God, was it a dream?… it was just a dream!!
But I was wondering what would have happened. Did the dog attack me? or did he let me go? While I was out of the dream, I was still lying on my bed with closed eyes, and now the same Buddha figure appeared in my mind and communicated to me, “Whether or not the dog attacked you doesn’t matter. What matters is that you woke up. The details of the dream doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you learnt your lesson.” Saying this he dissolved into nothingness and I got up from the bed for yet another day in the real world.
‘Real’ world? How do I know that this ‘real’ world is not just another dream? What is ‘real’? Can somebody explain this to me?
But I really don’t care. The dreams come and go, the objects of the ‘real’ world come and go, the experiences come and go, memories come and go. But the one thing that stays throughout the dreams, the one thing that survives the experiences of ‘real’ world, the one thing that is beyond all the fleeting existence is the feeling of ‘I Am’. The one pure existence, pure consciousness and bliss absolute, the one who witnesses the dreams and experiences of the real world, the one who sees through everything. He is the prime subject, He is the object too. He is the One, and I Am He. Satchidanandoham.
(Just for a record, this dream happened to me this morning (12 Dec 2008) just before I woke up from my sleep.)
Hola Srini – great dream and thanks for sharing – kudos to the dog and Buddha too :>) … as a dog lover, i take great pride in friendship with the canine kingdom so your dream kind of hit me at first re:why run? … only makes it worse, right ..??.. i think i saw this about Alaskan Grizzly Bears in the wilderness and how Native Americans would stand there, raise both their arms to their head, and speak to the giant bear in soft tones, one honoring brotherhood … something like, “whoa mr bear, sorry to surprise you and i mean you no harm bla bla bla …” … thus when i read your story i thought, “hmm. why not stand your ground, face your karma, and say, “hey – can i get you some water or a tasty treat or you want to play ball ..??.. sorry if there is any unresolved stuff between us but suffice it to say i’ve learned, i don’t trow water on any animals, let alone dogs, so you are part of honored teaching pack – yes, pun intended – woof …” … just e.woof-ing out loud :>0 … great site … cheers, chuck scott
Hi Chuck, this is not the first time I’m having dreams of dogs chasing me, and there is a big story behind my dog dreams. I’ll reveal the story sometime later!
Yeah, and thanks for honoring me by granting admission into the ‘honored teaching pack’. LoL …..
Cheers.,