Introduction#
The reason why "Journey to the West" can become one of the Four Great Classical Novels is not because of its fantastic 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 are the trials and tribulations in life. Therefore, when the scene of "the journey for scriptures" appears in a dream, we must pay attention to it, because it may reflect the development of your life path.
It's worth listening to other people's dreams and reflecting on ourselves.
Dreamer: Xiao Qian
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Dream:#
In my dream, I saw that the four disciples in "Journey to the West" turned into skeletons. Tang Sanzang died on a stone in the forest, Sun Wukong's remains were very angry, Zhu Bajie was in a cave, and Sha Wujing died standing, leaning against a tree.
There was also a person wearing a black robe, with a golden hoop on his head and gray-white long hair. I felt that he was both a demon 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, probably unwilling to crush his books.
Analysis#
This dream is full of death, but the ending also gives people a sense of sadness. If the journey for scriptures is equivalent to 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 thing that Xiao Qian values in his dream and what he has been pursuing in his life. If life is a journey for scriptures, then this thing naturally refers to the scriptures.
As we all know, the destination of the four disciples' quest for scriptures is the Great Thunderclap Monastery, and the scriptures are in the hands of the Buddha. The reason why the Buddha can become the Buddha is because he has grasped 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 is the person who teaches us rules, gives us strength, possesses authority, and is irreplaceable in our hearts? Besides him, who else could it be?
Yes, it is Xiao Qian's father. The irresistible power of patriarchy, absolute authority, and the creator of rules are determining Xiao Qian's life. Whether it is in the original family or in the patriarchal social 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 the relationship between Xiao Qian and 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 affection for him, it has 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 childhood was either quarreling or being beaten. One time, I didn't say anything, but someone else accused me first, even though I knew it wasn't my fault, I still got beaten." Xiao Qian recalled. Towards the end, his eyes became slightly red, and there was a burning anger in his eyes.
Seeing him like this, three words suddenly popped into my mind: Sun Wukong!
Yes, the angry Wukong who died in the dream is him. To verify 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. It turns out that not only Wukong, but the four disciples are all part of Xiao Qian's inner personality. 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 had forgotten how he lost himself step by step 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 longs for love. The stone symbolizes indifference, and the feeling towards his father, that loving tenderness has 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 is an expression of suppressed anger.
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. The experience of being bullied and wrongly 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 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 tree also shows Xiao Qian's gentle side. Even in stubbornness, he longs for a rooted strength to rely on. The power that can truly take root and thrive in people's hearts can only be given by paternal love, just 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. With a golden hoop on his head, gray-white long hair, he is both righteous and evil. Of course, he is Xiao Qian himself. The restraint of the golden hoop is the "knowing right from wrong" that surrounds his ears. This spiritual restraint makes Xiao Qian feel the age of destiny 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 cherishes these scriptures so much, but in the end, he couldn't live out his true self.
These remaining skeletons are like Xiao Qian's exhausted and tired body now, 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, looking back, all the experiences are vivid, but have you found yourself?