Introduction#
The reason why "Journey to the West" can become one of the Four Great Classical Novels is not because of its fantastical and rich story plot, but because the theme of "the journey for scriptures" is a common theme for all of us. Seeking scriptures is equivalent to seeking truth, and the 81 challenges on this journey represent the various trials and tribulations in life. Therefore, when scenes of the "journey for scriptures" appear in our dreams, we must pay attention to them, as they may reflect the development of our own life path.
Feel free to listen to others' dreams and reflect on yourself.
Dreamer: Xiao Qian
Gender: Male
Age: 24 years old
Dream:#
In my dream, I saw the four disciples from "Journey to the West" turned into skeletons. Tang Sanzang died on a stone in the forest, Sun Wukong's remains were filled with anger, Zhu Bajie was in a cave, and Sha Wujing died while standing, leaning against a tree.
There was also a person wearing a black robe. He wore a golden hoop on his head and had grayish-white long hair. I felt that he was both demonic and a highly accomplished monk.
I watched as the person in the black robe pressed his scriptures on the scripture table and died. There were many books with blue covers on the table, neatly arranged. He gently lay on the scriptures, perhaps unwilling to damage his books.
Analysis:#
This dream is filled with a sense of death, but the ending also gives a touch of sadness. If the journey for scriptures represents the journey of life, then what has Xiao Qian experienced in his life to create such a tragic scene?
Before analyzing Xiao Qian's life, we need to grasp a breakthrough point, which is the most important aspect that Xiao Qian values in his dream and what he has been pursuing in his life. If life is equivalent to the journey for scriptures, then this thing naturally refers to the scriptures.
Everyone knows that the destination of the four disciples' journey for scriptures is the Great Thunder Monastery, and the scriptures are in the hands of the Buddha. The reason why the Buddha can become a Buddha is because he possesses the truth of the world. Only with the truth can one save sentient beings and free them from suffering. The truth is written in the scriptures, which is the only hope that can save Xiao Qian. The sadness, pain, and oppression in his life need an answer.
So who is Xiao Qian's Buddha? To find this answer, we need to start with the image of the "Buddha." Although the Buddha did not appear in the dream, the four disciples and the scriptures have already laid the foundation for his position. The Buddha gives us the impression of being sacred and inviolable. He is beyond the ordinary, the embodiment of rules, power, authority, belief, and system.
In real life, who teaches us rules, gives us strength, possesses authority, and is irreplaceable in our hearts? Who else could it be besides his father?
Yes, it is Xiao Qian's father. The irresistible power of male authority, absolute authority, and the creator of rules are determining Xiao Qian's life. Whether it is in the original family or in society under the patriarchal system, Xiao Qian's life has always experienced numerous hardships within the framework set by his father.
To prove this point, I need to explore Xiao Qian's relationship with his father during his childhood, which is the most crucial period for the formation of his personality. What kind of picture is hidden behind the door of destiny?
I tried to ask Xiao Qian about his relationship with his father. Xiao Qian's expression seemed indifferent, but the emotions he tried to conceal could still be sensed.
"I don't have much of a relationship with him, it has always been like this since I was young. Whenever I made a mistake, he would hit me, and sometimes I would be beaten for no reason, and he would ask if I did something wrong. The feeling of my childhood was filled with quarrels and beatings. Even if I was bullied and told my father about it, I would still be beaten. There was one time when I didn't say anything, but the villain accused me first, even though he knew it wasn't my fault, I still got beaten." Xiao Qian recalled as he spoke. Towards the end, his eyes became slightly red, filled with anger.
Seeing him like this, three words suddenly popped into my mind: Sun Wukong!
Yes, the angry and deceased Sun Wukong in the dream is him. To confirm this, I asked Xiao Qian, "Do you know how the four disciples died in the dream?"
Xiao Qian replied, "I don't know how they died or how long they have been dead. But I can feel that all four of them made mistakes."
Thus, the truth of the dream became clear. Not only Sun Wukong, but it turns out that the four disciples are all part of Xiao Qian's inner personality traits. The suppression from his father during childhood, whether it was for making mistakes or being innocent, lasted for such a long time that Xiao Qian forgot how he gradually lost himself in the torment.
What kind of painful experience is this? Clues can be seen from the remains of the four disciples.
Tang Sanzang represents a part of Xiao Qian that yearns for love. The stone symbolizes indifference, and all the feelings of love from his father have turned into a heart of stone.
Sun Wukong represents Xiao Qian's lively and confident nature. Full of vitality, but unfortunately, he was mercilessly killed. The resentful look in his eyes expresses his anger that cannot be expressed.
Zhu Bajie is naturally optimistic and carefree, but he has become a punching bag for others. He can only hide in his own cave to avoid harm. Xiao Qian's experience of being bullied and falsely accused by his father is the memory of being hurt, just like Zhu Bajie. Xiao Qian also told me that in the eyes of others, he seems carefree, but who knows about the sadness hidden deep in the cave?
Sha Wujing represents honesty and diligence, but the stubbornness in his death still stands. Sha Wujing leaning against a big tree also shows Xiao Qian's gentle side. Even in stubbornness, he still longs for a rooted strength to rely on. The power that can truly take root and thrive in people's hearts can only be provided by paternal love. It is like the firmness, strength, self-reliance, and self-improvement of a big tree.
Oh, there is also the monk in the black robe, who is the closest to the answer. He wears a golden hoop on his head, has grayish-white long hair, and is both righteous and evil. This, of course, represents Xiao Qian himself. The golden hoop represents the spiritual restraint of constantly hearing "knowing right from wrong." This spiritual restraint makes Xiao Qian feel the aging of fate and unable to face everything. The conflict of being both righteous and evil fills Xiao Qian's heart. Is he a demon? Are those righteous heavenly gods truly holy? What is the answer to self-redemption? Xiao Qian treasures these scriptures so much, but in the end, he was unable to live as his true self.
These remaining skeletons are like Xiao Qian's exhausted and tired body, and perhaps this tragic life already has an answer. Xiao Qian has been searching for his true self throughout his life: the self that should receive love, the self that is lively and confident, the self that is healthy and happy, and the self that is self-reliant and self-improving.
Perhaps this is not just Xiao Qian's answer alone. Each of us is exploring and longing for redemption on the journey of life. When you know the answer, look back suddenly, all the experiences are vividly remembered. Have you found yourself?