The Temple

This dream dates from the Vietnam War era, but I have decided to post it now: I am walking on a dim, gray plain. At first, I am alone. Then, I begin to make out shapes in the misty distance to my left and right. Gradually, the shapes get a little closer, and I can make out human forms. Other men are walking on this plain! More dim figures appear beyond the first two, and it slowly becomes apparent that we are converging from every direction towards a central point. We are all very fearful and suspicious of each other. Who are these strange figures, and what do they want? With each step, in spite of our fear and distrust, we are moving closer to one another, and eventually it is evident that we form an enormous and widely spaced circle, the opposite side of which is almost lost in the mist. We are converging on an ancient temple at the center of the circle. The temple is small and simple in form: a ring of simple stone columns sits upon a raised, circular stone floor, encircled by two or three concentric stone steps. The columns support a simple, somewhat flattened dome of stone. Worn and weathered, it looks like it has stood there since time began. Still quite suspicious of one another, but attracted to the temple, we cannot help but get closer to each other as we approach our goal. Eventually, we are a solid ring of humans, shoulder to shoulder around the ancient structure. We stay like this for a long time, and then the temple is gone, replaced by the circle of humans. The circle of humans has become the temple. The scene switches to a formal reception at the U.N. We are well-dressed representatives of every nation on earth, gathered to celebrate an historic accomplishment. World Peace has been achieved, and the mood is excellent.