The pearl from the shelf:
”I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of following my fancies as a butterfly, and was unconscious of my individuality as a man. Suddenly I awaked, and there I lay, myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.”
Consideration
Is this the reality or the dream? Are we dreaming now? Are we part of a higher dream?
Are we just caterpillars or maybe chrysalises?
Are we aware of our next stage?
May the next stage be the flight!
The source of the pearl: “Musings of a Chinese Mystic “, by Lionel Giles
Ready for action:
Today is October 27, 2009. I don’t know wether this is a dream, a reality or just a stage… Regardless, I experience it with love and joy.
Now you are read-y for action:
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Tags: Self-improvement
All is a dream, some are a few minutes, a few hours and others last 80-90 years before we awaken to the next dream.
“Butterfly” could be seen as a metaphor for higher Self.
We can actually see and be the Self for a moment. After that moment has passed we are again the Self dreaming that it is the Self.
Mark,
Maybe you are right and there is another dream waiting after this one…
Mossy,
Yes, I would say that the Buttefly is a metaphor not only for the higher Self, but for the process of life and growth.
That is my favorite Chuang Tzu quote!
You may also like this:
“…if a common workman were sure to dream every night for twelve hours that he was a king, I believe he would be almost as happy as a king who should dream every night for twelve hours on end that he was a common workman.”
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), French scientist, philosopher.
Sophia,
Thanks for sharing this inspiring quote. I love these quotes that don’t deliver a direct message, but open a door of possibilities for you. Life gives you a lot of options and it is up to us to decide what to think, feel and do.
All the best!