On the Subject of Dreams

Master:

What is troubling you my favorite one?

Disciple:

I feel a deep wound in my being. For all my life I have been conditioned to think one way, and all of a sudden someone said something that was like a slap in my face. I tried to reject it, but is was like an arrow that has penetrated my inner soul. It made me angry and I immediately fought against the words.

Master:

Is what this person said true?

Disciple:

It can't be! For it goes counter to everything I have learned, everything that I have lived for. My whole life I have been living for certain truths that have been dear to me.

Master:

And why do you fight it?

Disciple:

To hold on to my truths and my values... my existence depends on what I hold dear to my heart. I cling to these values because they define who I am, what I do, what I represent. My confidence, my self-esteem, everything would crumble down if what this person said was true. What am I if I were not to hold on to ME, the things I believe in?

Master:

What are you if you were to wake from a dream?