"Why seek validation outside yourself when the treasure resides within?"
~ Cathy Ginter
A Dream Journal ~ Cathy Ginter
Along the shoreline,
The dreamer climbed the tall dunes
And gazed out to sea.
Ever since I can remember, I have had vivid and colorful dreams that have lingered into the waking hours of my day. Then in 1975, my dreams began to expand in dimension as they acquired a more thoughtful and spiritual overtone. At times, my dreams would shake me to the core of my being and force me to question my world of thought-based reality. Little did I realize that I had unlocked the gateway into a vast, new realm. A window was opening into the beyond, and I was being called to explore within… then deeper within… until a permanent shift in my consciousness occurred, and there was no possibility of turning back.Some of my dream encounters were with animals as I learned to claim the protective power of my greatest totems, Bear and Lion, and to own my inner voice. Other dreams involved some of many teachers, whose influence continues to guide me from Earth and beyond. All were ever patient, wise and compassionate with me, as I slowly learned to use my wings and to fly. These teachers have enriched my life beyond compare. I am both humbled and honored by their presence in my life and know I am forever blessed.For me, the dream world serves as a constant reminder that, beneath the secular world of form, there remains a profound and extraordinary connection with our divinity. As such, this journal is my gift to all the dreamers of the world. May our dreams demonstrate the rich and mysterious nature of our common psyche. As souls, connected through our humanity, we share this same subconscious longing to discover the truth of our being.The following is a collection of critical excerpts from my personal dream journal. It begins in 1975 and continues to the present day. Each dream is dated and includes a detailed and accurate account. I have also attached a commentary for clarification and greater understanding. Herein, may you find a thread of inspiration, a promise of hope or a night filled with the magic of dreaming, so that you may know your Self:April 7, 1975
Dream:
I wait alone at the edge of a strange town. Nothing is familiar. An older man meets me and offers his outstretched hand. Instantly, we connect, and I recognize him to be my spiritual Grandfather. His eyes are incredibly wise. Literally, he is bathed in white light. His long, white hair flows into an equally long, white beard. His white robe streams in waves of light from his shoulders to his feet. His presence feels otherworldly, but intuitively I know I can trust him. He never speaks. Instead, he communicates with me telepathically, and I sense that he wants to show me something important. Silently, I follow him.He guides me to a turbulent sea. We cross the waters, walking on the surface. I never question anything that is happening. My trust is complete. Suddenly, hands and heads of drowning people begin to emerge from the sea. I can hear them moaning and crying out, and I want to stop and pull these souls from their death to the safety of the shore. But my Grandfather guides me onward.At the edge of the sea line, where the water meets the horizon, a rainbow appears across a fog-laden surface. We walk over the rainbow bridge, into an endless mist.Commentary:
When I first shared this dream with my mentor Buff Dickson, she sensed who he was, but she would never tell me. Buff simply promised me that when the time came I would know exactly who he was. And she was right - I instantly knew!When my Grandfather re-entered my life on February 14, 2002 and offered to work with me, I was at a pivotal point in my spiritual practice. Literally, he just appeared during my daily meditation. I heard a distinct humming tone that seemed to surround me. The air felt suddenly charged with electricity. The vibration settled around my crown chakra as my third eye opened. When I saw him, I recognized him instantly. He stood before me and offered his hand just as he had done in the dream. He told his name was Sammen and that I had one week to accept him as my guide.At first, I was frightened by the intensity of his proposal. Plus, I didn't want other people to think that I was crazy, and I knew that if I accepted his offer, I would be putting myself out there in a very open way. I was normally more quiet and introverted about my spiritual beliefs. I also worried that I might become a target of ridicule and disbelief. But somehow I knew that I was strong enough to overcome any negative feedback. And here was the opportunity to serve the Universe. How could I refuse? After only one day of internal dialogue, I agreed.My contract with Sammen was a promise that he would be my guide and teach me everything that I could absorb, and I would offer him my obedience. Sammen continued to guide my spiritual path until my 50th birthday. He would become one of my most important guides and teachers. For over three years, I learned from his presence. He was a gentle teacher, a wise mentor, and a great Grandfather spirit. Regretfully, once and only once I questioned his existence. Sammen didn't judge me. He simply left for three days until I recognized the folly of my Self-betrayal. Instantly, I was forgiven though I admit it took me quite a bit longer to forgive myself.To this day, I feel the Sammen's presence, especially when I am facilitating an energy session. It is truly as though he just integrated all his energy with mine.Please note: Obedience is rooted in the Latin word oboedire, which means "to listen to."
January 21, 1985
Commentary:
This dream begins with a typical “chase” theme. As a child and a young adult, I played out many of these types of scenarios while asleep. Always, the chase involved a gang of men who were out to get me. They never were actual people that I knew, but the men seemed real. Plus, the threat was always palpable and the danger felt imminent to my emotional body. In addition, the men always had weapons. Usually, they carried knives with razor-sharp, polished blades. Though on occasion, one or two would fire a gun in my direction.These dreams always ended in similar fashion with my abduction, followed by a severe and violent cutting and slashing of my physical body until I was left, abandoned in a pool of my own blood. Usually, I would cry myself awake, shaking and too frightened to fall back asleep. The following dream is an account of my very last “chase” dream. It was truly a major breakthrough for me.Dream:
I am running from a gang of men with weapons. I have a bit of a lead on them, so I run into a tall apartment building where I think I will be safe. I delude myself into believing that they will never find me in there. Quickly, I run up each flight of steps to the top floor. There is an open room in which I enter. I run over to the window and look out over the parking lot. Just then, to my complete disbelief, I see that the gang is still following me. Before I can even begin to consider my next move, every gang member stares up at me. Instantly, they stop dead in their tracks. Their faces turn pale with fright; their jaws literally drop open. Each face is frozen in horror.I turn and look behind me to see what could possible scare them in this manner when I see two huge black bears, towering over me. I turn back and look back out at the gang. I have the widest smile on my face as both bears wrap an arm across one of my shoulders. I have never felt so relaxed or so safe in my entire life. Moreover, I feel absolutely no fear that either of the bears would ever hurt me. Instead, I know intuitively that they are there to protect me.December 22, 1989
Dream:
I am holding a simple, white tapered candle. The flame burns brightly and steadily. I carry this candle with me everywhere I go. The glow flickers from time to time when a gust of wind catches it, but still it glows brightly. The candle never grows smaller, and the flame never burns out. This dream lasts all through the night.Commentary:
When I had this dream, I was still an adept, struggling to know myself. Moreover, I was just beginning to consciously develop a true sense of spiritual awareness. Only days before this dream, we had just finished building our new home, and we were moving in with our family and all our belongings.To be quite honest, I didn't really comprehend the full impact of this dream until I actually founded Safe Harbor Center in 2003. At that moment, the idea of becoming a beacon of light that would burn with such constant and certain purpose was a powerful symbol of exactly what I was inspired to put into motion here. In fact, my original intention was to open my heart and home and to extend an invitation in which everyone would feel welcome to come and to discover his or her Self.One of my favorite lines in A Course in Miracles is: "I am the light of the world" (W-61). God's light is such a blessing, and to be my most perfect reflection of this Light is my reason to be.January 30, 1992
Dream:
I find myself in an ancient desert land, completely alone. There is no one in sight for as far as the eye can see. The sun is high and scorching hot. Suddenly, mountain cliffs tower before me, and I begin to ascend a well-worn footpath. There is a rift at the top, and I enter the wall of rock.Except for a single, burning torch, the cavern is cool and dark. From the torchlight, I see additional torches, woven of straw and dipped in beeswax. I ignite one of the torches and continue down a long, narrow passageway. Occasionally, the cavern floor is wet with running water. And once, the rock ceiling is so low that I have to crawl on my belly. Still, I continue.Suddenly, deep in the cavern, an opening comes into view, and I can hear the quiet rumbling of lions. Their breathing is soft and low, and I can smell the dampness of their fur. My hands begin to tremble as I enter their lair.They all look up and stare at me. Then, all look away but one male lion. I feel an incredible affinity towards him and move closer and closer. When I am right beside him, I wrap my arms around his long, tawny mane. Immediately, I take in his magnificence, his ferocity and his bravery. He is truly the greatest of animals.I decide to stay with these lions. Instantly, I find complete and unconditional acceptance within their family. The realization that I am far away from all the judgmental and angry eyes of the world enters my thoughts. Here with these unfettered creatures, I can be true to myself, untamed and free. I roar with all my might.Commentary:
This dream speaks for itself, so I hesitate to write a lengthy analysis. Suffice it to say that Lion is a powerful totem for me. Through Lion's guidance, I have come to discover that true inner strength is born of love, patience and kindness. I am forever humbled by their guidance and honored to follow their noble lead.July 17, 1994
Dream:
A black panther walks silently down the hallway of my home. He waits impatiently, pacing back and forth outside my bedroom door. I awaken within my dream and follow him outside. It is the still hours of the night just before dawn. Dew clings to the grass, and I can smell the sweet lemon scent from the nicotiana and snapdragons that line the walk. Their combined perfume is exquisite, and I stop to inhale, filling my lungs full.Then, I follow the panther around the house to the field to the South. To my left, a crescent moon is just rising on the eastern horizon. And beyond a craft moves with the speed of light. From the outer dimensions of space, its light burns a wide arc over the field and converges in time before me. Like a flash, the UFO lands in my backyard.I enter with great expectation. At once, I am seated at a long table. Thick clay tablets are laid before me. I bend my head and read. The knowledge instantly penetrates my consciousness seemingly by osmosis. One tablet after another is brought before me. I read on and on until the dream ends and I awaken.Commentary:
The timing of this dream corresponds to an intensive period of esoteric study that was taking place in my waking life. Much of the time, I felt the material I was learning merely required a remembering of that which I had already studied and learned.March 31, 1998
Dream:
I am flying over a meadow ridge. Then, I see nothing but blue sky and sunlight, reflecting off the clouds. As I rise, an eagle flies alongside me. He is soaring just to my left. He is so close that I can feel the breath of his wing, brushing through the air. His right eye looks straight at me. Caught into his magnetic pull, I look deeply into his eye. It contains a coal black center, surrounded by a circle of orange and gold, ringed in white.The eagle never blinks. As I feel the intensity of his glare, I am completely exposed. My vulnerability lies open for him to behold, and I realize that I have nothing to hide. I see the essence of the eagle. I see his core Self unearthed, and he sees me. At once, his power is mine. I capture his spirit and make that mine also. In the dream, I am aware that I can see beyond the physical body of others and look fully through the heart, past the fears, into the soul, which is Light.Commentary:
This excerpt from my journal is a variation of two common themes from the dream world. Flying symbolizes freedom and the capacity to transcend the physical realm. The eye represents vision and insight.April 26, 2004
Dream:
I am alone in a strange room. A young man is standing before me. He is partially in the shadows, waiting silently near the back wall. In his right hand, he is holding a knife. The blade curves to a sharp point; its edge catches a stream of light and it glistens.For only a moment, I hesitate and consider running away. Instead, I look directly into his eyes. They are dark and beautiful, compassionate and wise. I instantly trust him and step closer.He raises the knife to my face and quickly cuts out both of my eyes. Even without eyes, I am aware of the entire scene. Literally, I am standing there, absolutely motionless with two empty sockets where my eyes used to be. Still, I don't move a muscle. I experience no pain. There is no blood. I just continue to stand there completely without emotion.He doesn't speak. Yet, in the pervading silence, I telepathically hear him state, "Now that you do not have eyes, you can see."April 28, 2004
Dream:
Two nights later, the same man comes to me. This time, the dream takes place in the dining room of my home. I am sitting on one of the simple wooden chairs. The young man puts his hands on my crown chakra. They slip deeply into my head until only his wrists are exposed. I sit very still while he works inside my head, but I don't feel a thing.Moments later, he pulls his hands away. They are clean and glow with a pure, white light. I silently ask him what he is doing. Again he responds without speaking and tells me that he is reprogramming my brain.Commentary:
After I had these two dreams, I would sometimes see this same man at the foot of my bed. He would just be there when I would wake up in the middle of the night, especially after facilitating a difficult healing session the evening before. Other times, I would see him during a healing, guiding my hands along the auric field of a client. He never spoke to me again, not even telepathically, but I always felt an incredible warmth and protective force in his presence. His eyes never lost their wonder, and he always captured my full attention.On February 20, 2005, many months after I experienced this pair of dreams, I was invited to attend a video presentation entitled Ramana Maharshi, The Sage of Arunachala. I knew that I had remembered hearing this name so out of curiosity, I did a quick online search to learn more.There he was with those amazing eyes! Ramana Maharshi, at the age of 21, was the same young man who was appearing in my dreams, standing across from me during healings and watching over me in my sleep. I was stunned! I felt Grace wash over me. I scrolled down the page and saw another photograph. Immediately, I recognized it as Arunachala. Without a doubt, I knew that I had been there in a past life, and I had walked the paths around the hillside.During the video, tears rolled down my face. It was all so familiar. I felt like I had stepped into a dream, but now I was wide-awake. And Ramana's eyes were everywhere, and everywhere there was Light.July 29, 2004
Dream:
I am in an art gallery. One hall is called “The Hall of the Master Violinist.” Hanging on the wall is oil painting after oil painting of a Man, holding a child. In every painting, the Man is the same. Only the child that he is holding is different. The Man has the deepest and darkest, most beautiful eyes, filled with such love and compassion. They are like pools of knowing that draw me in and hold me close. At every painting, I can hear the Violinist playing a different strain of music. Together, all the strains become an entire composition, melding into one incredible symphony of song. I am aware that each painting represents our personal connection to God and that each of us is one of His special children, singing our special song, gathered together in the purest harmony.Then in another hall, there are sculptures of human bodies, arms, legs and torsos. Together, they form large vessels of bowls and fountains, each filled with water, some overflowing. The faces are so serene. The human forms rest in complete surrender. It is lovely, and I am fully aware that this is our sacrifice to Spirit. I recognize that this life does not belong to us and that we are all humble servants. In a space of total acceptance, we have the potential to create the most joy for others as well as for ourselves.After I leave the room of sculptures, I meet a man, walking alone. My eyes rest on his beautiful hands and long, thin powerful fingers, and intuitively, I know he is a pianist. I point to the hall with the oil paintings and tell him he will find something very special there.Commentary:
Each one of us leads the next to the treasure within.September 7, 2004
Dream:
The porch here at Safe Harbor is filled with people. They are all patiently waiting to receive a healing session from me. In the dream, I facilitate one healing after another. One session is for a woman who is near death. As I place my hands on her frail form, Spirit breathes new life into her.Suddenly, I can see beyond the illusions of all emotions and all attachment to physical form. I am in a space of complete acceptance, free of all judgment. I sense that this is what is truly real, real beyond all imagining.Commentary:
I woke up the next morning, and I had no feeling in my body. It was as though my physical form held no existence at all. I literally had to shake myself awake. October 9, 2004
Dream:
I am walking in the Grand Canyon with Ben. We hike along the river, in the belly of the earth, with the rock walls of the canyon surrounding us. Next, we are camping, and it is quite cold. I wake up often through the night. Each time, I hear the music of Krishna Das, playing through my entire being. I awake, still humming his chants.Commentary:
I especially love this simple dream because going to the Grand Canyon was something that I was fortunate enough to experience for the first time with Ben, my husband and best friend of 27 years. This dream happened on the night of Ben's 55th birthday.December 10, 2004
Dream:
I dream I am playing violin in a symphony. I never see the sheet music until the moment of the performance, but I play perfectly and with complete confidence as though I "know" the music and practice is not necessary.Commentary:
This dream is what the spiritual journey is all about - complete trust! No worry, no hurry - just being oneself with an open heart. Then, everything is perfect!December 18, 2004
Dream:
I am with my friend, Marty. There is a fire circle out in the open field below his parent's house outside of Slippery Rock where we are talking quietly. I am telling him about a dream I just had.In the dream, I am on an expedition in which I travel deep into a remote forest. At the edge of a river, I climb a tower built of giant boulders. Next, I cross the river by traversing a narrow rope bridge that is over a thousand feet above raging white water. On the other side of the bridge, built into the mountainside, is a huge old, stone castle. I am there to study and receive esoteric knowledge. In the dream, I am at the castle a long time as a student, yet it feels like a brief moment in time.At the fire circle, as I am relating this wondrous adventure, the dream is unfolding at the moment I am telling about it. I experience the event for the first time, and yet it has already happened. Amazingly, the two events are occurring simultaneously!Marty rests his head on my lap. Then, I place my left hand on the middle of his back near his heart chakra and my right hand on his forehead. Pure light begins to flow from my hands until his aura is a vibrant pink, orange hue. It is literally the color of a brilliant sunset. I see a disc of light of the same color as his aura rises from his heart chakra, and beams of white light emanate in every direction, forming a wheel with rays rising from the center. I wake up with a wonderful feeling in my heart.Commentary:
My friendship with Marty is one of my longest and closest connections, and though we seldom have the opportunity to spend time with one another, I always teasingly remind him that just knowing that he is on the Earth plane is enough for me. This dream is an appropriate tribute to my unconditional love for him.March 6, 2006
Dream:
I am in a crowd of people, all of whom are strangers. A holy man from India walks by and suddenly stops. He stares deeply into my eyes, and a powerful connection and recognition occurs between the two of us. Then, he points at me and tells the crowd that there is a crown of violet and golden white light, swirling around my head. As soon as he says it, everyone in the crowd can also see this same light around me. Next, he tells everyone that this means that I am enlightened, and no one questions the truth that this holy man speaks, including myself. Immediately, everyone wants my blessing. People form a long line, and I tirelessly embrace and bless and heal and gently speak to one person after another. In the dream, this continues for days! Commentary:
What felt most incongruent about this dream was the fact that when I fell asleep the night before, I was aware that I still hadn't fully forgiven myself. And though I had forgiven everyone else in my life, I could still feel such judgment towards myself for the times that I overlooked the truth, simply to 'play' it/life/relationships safe.And even though I was experiencing my own self-betrayal, I wasn't indulging in it. Instead, I was seeing it in awareness, free of any further judgment. Through truthfulness, my awakening deepened. And for the first time, I was also aware that when I reflect backwards to the times when I really lied to myself about something of importance, I was watching me and I knew the truth.December 5, 2007
Dream:
I am going down a wide, open road. There is a slight incline, but it is not strenuous walking. Houses appear out of nowhere, and I feel a shadowy presence following behind me. I stop and turn to look. There is a small, round furry creature standing in the middle of the road. He is brown with long, feathery hairs. A small, white face appears through his furry body. Suddenly, the shape of the furry creature shifts into a tall man with dark complexion.The man moves towards me, and I sense that there is malice in his intent. I look to my right and notice that near one of the houses, there is a black suit of armor alongside a tall shimmering sword. I reach for the sword with my right hand and pull it from its sheath. The sword is long, razor-sharp and incredibly heavy. I lift it over my head with all of my might and angle it with the tip pointing downward between the man and myself. In a clear voice I shout, "Enough!"The man continues to move towards me. Once again, I lift the sword over my head, and this time I shove the point of the sword deeply into the man's solar plexus, through his chest and upwards to his throat until dark, red blood flows from the open wound and also from his mouth.Commentary:
Both of the shadow figures certainly represent my ego, which appears relatively harmless at first and then becomes more menacing as the dream unfolds. It is especially significant when I choose the sword instead of the suit of armor. In other words, I am aware that there is no need to protect myself. Instead, I stop the ego with the sword, the archetypal symbol of clarity and truth, as I literally cut through all appearances into the very heart of the matter. Lifting the sword to the throat chakra is reminding me to always speak my truth with candor and integrity.December 7, 2007
Dream:
I am in an old-fashioned kitchen. There are giant wooden hand-hewn beams, stretching across the ceiling and a fire, burning brightly in a huge open hearth. On the far side of the room, there are cabinets, running from floor to ceiling. Near the cabinets is a wide-open door, leading to a meeting room that is filled with many people, noisily chattering to one another. I am busy, singing quietly and happily preparing a meal for all of the guests at a large work table in the very center of the room. I go to the cabinets and return to the table with an armload of ingredients. As I near the table, I am aware that Don Miguel Ruiz is standing by the open door. He is speaking to the guests, but no one is listening. As I walk by him, I smile at him and say, "We have something in common. We both had very wise and powerful Grandmothers."Don Miguel looks right into my eyes. Without speaking, he retrieves a piece of folded paper from his shirt pocket and then proceeds to unfold it on the work table. It is a beautiful scene of a desert at sunrise. In the picture, there is a stone temple with a large open landing, overlooking a verdant green valley that stretches to the east. The color and the light of the rising sun blend together and reflect on the temple stones in tones of bright scarlet-red, shimmering with gold.Then in a split second, as if by magic, Don Miguel and I are standing on that veranda overlooking the valley before us. The daybreak is Beauty beyond compare!Commentary:
Don Miguel Ruiz is a wisdom teacher in the Toltec tradition and the author of one of my favorite books, The Four Agreements. In this dream, I have a deeper insight when I realize that this book is far more than words on a piece of paper; rather the four agreements have become a living practice for me.April 29, 2008
Last night, a Siddhar yogi came to me in a vision. He placed his right hand on my brow, directly above my third eye and transmitted a deep violet and pure white light throughout my Aura until it emanated from my fingers and the soles of my feet. I experienced a powerful shift throughout my Being.
Then, I fell asleep and had this dream:
I was driving down a wide open road in our Jeep. As I rounded a bend, I completely lost control of the Jeep. I spun around and drove right through a line of trees and over a ravine. I was catapulted from the Jeep. Still, I experienced no fear. Instead, I stretched out my arms and dived head-first to the ground with the bliss of freedom.On the ground, I was aware that every bone in my back was broken. Paramedics circled me, and one was going to revive me with a portable AED. With all my might, I lifted my arms and crossed them over my chest, looked directly into his eyes and said, "No… I am going home - my Father wants me with Him." I repeated this over and over again. Then, I entered a brilliant white Light... I was smiling...Commentary:
When I woke up, I couldn't move for the longest time. I just looked around the room, and even the walls were alive. I feel such peace now... a permanent peace that cannot be shaken...In the end, all of our dreams, whether awake or asleep, are merely metaphors for the path that guides us to the razor's edge and points the way to All that lies just beyond...
This work is my primary source of income. If you enjoyed this page and/or found it of value, please make a donation. All donations benefit Safe Harbor Center and are received with love and gratitude. Light blessings from the Heart ~ Cathy Ginter
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If you have questions or comments, I would love to hear from you. Please contact:
Cathy Ginter
Safe Harbor Center for Spiritual Healing
448 Fisher Road
Cabot, PA 16023-2110 USA
(30 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
(724) 352-4692
I will accept phone calls between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM ET only. You can always send an email message (best contact method) to: cathy@cathyginter.com
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