Opal Viola tells her unborn child about their father, saying, “[T]he dead are never far. They find us in dreams, and keep teaching us from the inside long after they go.” What do you suppose she means? Do you agree?
I do agree—those we have loved and lost are “alive” in our hearts, in our memories, in our daydreams—and often in our night dreams, beneath the level of our consciousness. That is why it is so important to us all, as “social animals,” to have loving relationships throughout our lives—even, or especially, if one is orphaned, or widowed, or otherwise estranged from so-called “normal” social connections.
I do agree, my mother died in 1999. As some people say what would Jesus do I often say what would my mom do! I think of her always and lately she has been in my dreams. After so many years I still think oh I need to tell mom!
I’ve had similar experiences as the previous responses described. I take these a step further and ask, “What is the message you have for me? the lesson to learn? the emotion to feel?” And then I listen for a response. Most times there’s a reassurance of sorts.
Yes, I agree. We carry the genes of our parents, and ancestors beyond. We frequently display the traits, tendencies, etc. I know people who talk to others who have passed on who were at one time very close to them. It gives them comfort, and why not? While we don’t really know what is beyond this life’s span, I do believe that we are all connected to a greater realm, however you can imagine it. That realm can certainly influence those open to the concept.
Agree and disagree here… While I agree that we are all intertwined with our ancestors and have inherent traits, sometimes it is surely useful to distance ones self from these traits. If a persons past contains ppl of questionable character, it would be best to Not keep those “spirits” close.
One of the quotes that has stuck with me from this book is at the beginning of the Victory chapter: “It has been said that you know the life you’re being born into, that you heard the story … before you came…” I think that is the purpose of the dreams, that we learn about our history and family stories, etc through those dreams through which the ancestors can send messages and explain the events in our lives.
Our ancestors genes- good and bad- are with us whether we choose them or not. I think the best we can do is embrace those that enlighten our spirit and lives and ignore those that cause us grief and disquiet.