“What has been waiting for me in my dreams all these years?”

“Behind the door in your dreams is the dark chaos of your own soul, a reminder of what we are ‘all’ capable of if left unchecked, it is the opposing force to the light of harmony, and the tension between the two creates the energy that drives ‘all sentient life’ forward.”

I have been having these ‘night visitations’ three or four times a year for as long as I can remember.  Each time waking up bathed in sweat, crying in terror and feeling lucky I survived another attack from this evil, malevolent entity.  His answer brings a profound sense of relief as the realisation settles in that it was simply me, frightening myself, nothing more, nothing less…  I have no more questions now, I just want to go home.

“Can this end now please” I ask.

“Yes, but I have one last thing to share with you…”

He turns, looks directly at me, and the universe itself seems to hold its breath before he finally speaks.

“Consider the importance of the ‘things you ask for’, are they the things you actually want?”

“Consider the importance of the ‘things you want’, for are they the things you actually need?”

“Finally, consider the importance of ‘what you actually need’, for this is where you will find true, and lasting happiness…”

Even if all of this is just a crazy dream and I wake up and the memories slowly fade away like most of them do.  Right here, right now, I can’t help but have a deep feeling of empathy with this ‘angel’ before me… “Lucifer, before this ends I’d like to say… I’d like to say thank you.”  I’m not sure if its my imagination, but he ‘almost’ seems to smile as everything before me slowly disappears like mist, revealing what I used to consider to be ‘the real world’ behind it…

Anna stirs from her sleep, looks at me and says “You had that dream again?…”

“What happens when you die?”

“A guide will come at the moment of transition, when a soul is balanced between mortality and death.  For most, this will take the form of a loved one.  Those at the gates of ‘Oblivion’ will be taken by what humanity call the ‘Grim Reaper’ or as you now know it, a ‘Feeder’.  But there is a much greater truth to be found within your question, and it must be understood that death has two paths.  For those moving towards harmony, it is simply the transition of an ‘eternal soul’ into pure energy.  Another step closer to god.  For those about to enter Hell, it means they no longer have the capacity the evolve and ‘death’ truly is, the end.”

“Do we have a certain fate or destiny that we can, or need to fulfil during the course of our time?”

“The concept of ‘destiny’ is closely linked to the concept of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ luck.  Neither exist and are the words people use to inspire themselves on to greatness, or excuse themselves for failure.  Humanity still has to rid itself of uncertainness in its own abilities, feelings of unworthiness in its place as the dominate species on earth, and of the belief that it is living on borrowed time, just waiting for extinction.

The truth is this type of doubt becomes a self fulfilling prophecy making the ‘hard to do’, ‘harder to do’, and absolves one of failure through lack of proper preparation or action.  Perversely it also dulls the sense of achievement that one truly deserves when they succeed because of a feeling ‘luck was on their side’ this time.  The decisions an individual makes at the end of the day are their ‘own’ decisions, and the effects of those choices are a result of the situation at that moment in time without any form of ‘divine intervention’ positive or negative.”

Its odd, but everything I’m being told is strangely liberating, and for the first time in my life I’m starting to feel that my free will is not like a leaf being blown around in the wind.  I take a few minutes to absorb what’s been said then consider my next question.  “So where do souls go when they return to a state of pure energy,” I finally ask.

“There is a place in creation halfway between god and the realm of mortality.  I’ll show you…”

“Why didn’t god simply create a universe in harmony?” I ask. Why have so much pain and suffering in the world. Why have so much hate and anger. Why must the innocent suffer?”

“If you have never cried tears of the deepest sorrow then you will never cry tears of overwhelming happiness.  If your greatest needs have never been met then you will never appreciative being without need.  Gods greatest gift to life is the darkness of pain, suffering and want, for it provides a measure to gauge ones happiness against, and the motivation necessary to drive all living things towards the light of harmony.”