A dark day although the rain has held off. Now the late afternoon sun illumines the western overcast, offering the possibility of a sunset. The wind, which has been a consistent companion these past few days, has risen, promising storms tomorrow.
I’m drinking my late afternoon cup of decaf tea, a ritual I’ve adopted during these days of sheltering at home. The virus is not yet in check here, and while it is not overwhelming in our small community, it has become so in other parts of the state. We stay home in part to protect me, but also to protect others, especially vulnerable family members and the medical community. We do so with the knowledge that in many Indigenous communities staying home and relatively safe is not an option.
Last night I dreamed many of us are being given new healing skills to share with others. When I awoke this morning, tired from a night of learning, I remembered that I had been taught but not what I was taught. I was left with the sense that we will each find our new knowings and skills when we need them. There is some irony in the experience that one has learned some new healing skills contained in touch when touching is not an option. I imagine the new learning will prove to be more complex and useful than my small mind can grasp.
This knowledge is not the immediate technical knowledge my ancestors and teachers reported receiving in dreams, rather it is something left in the wisdom of the body. In cultures that prioritize dreams, utilitarian knowledge is expected to arrive in the night. Perhaps one dreams that a plant can be used to treat a novel illness, or one might be given the exact location of a deer that will give its life to feed the community.
We should not be surprised that information is given to us in our dreams; after all, we are connected to all of creation, and thus to the sacred. Isn’t that really the central message of the angels and spirits who bring us dreams and visions?
In this challenging time our dreams may still invite us to take care and take heart. May we find space and courage to do so.
Dreaming the World 
Such a fascinating and powerful dream, Michael. I sense that your unique life experiences have prepared you to share your healing wisdom with the “right” people at just the “right” time, as you do on your blog.
Sending you love and light, dear friend. 💜
Carol, maybe many of us will find ourselves with new thoughts and skills. Perhaps the need has called new skills into being. There is a long history of this. I am curious to see what happens. Be well my friend.
Carol, the other evening I had a Zoom meeting with former students and their friends. I think you would have lived it. They are such awake, engaged young people with huge hearts and bright minds. They are also trying to be helpful to their communities during this difficult time. The meeting left my heart singing.
💜
Perhaps we can collectively dream about healing what is wrong with this culture, with this world. My mind, as always, turns to Shakespeare and “We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” So let’s dream for the better!
Laurie, I love Shakespeare! And yes, let’s all dream something much better into existence!
As soon as we can!
Hi Michael, my current experiences with dreaming resonate with what you are saying. I find my dreams are strange, maybe a little unsettling, but not disturbing. In fact I am frustrated when waking disturbs a dream. The list of characters that play their parts are varied and usually surprising. I think all of them have been from my past and my relationships with them take a different form than in years past. I have assumed the dreams are the result of the political garbage that is being spewn about but your ideas seem to make more sense. I am experiencing a very gradual internal shifting of some sort – maybe a feeling that it is okay to be vulnerable and afraid because I know I’m not alone. Maybe a little softening around the edges. Whatever is happening within is definitely overdue (by about 70 years) and for the better. Like you, I am eager and excited to see how this hardship is going to affect me. I am worried about society, however. I don’t like writing about those thoughts.
This situation hasn’t brought me dreams of new skills, but rather has confirmed for me what my purpose is. Stay safe and well Michael.
Andrea, what a gift to know one;s purpose here! Do stay well!
And you Michael!