It felt like a pine cone had been dropped on my head from a great height, but there was no pine tree and, really, just sky and stars above. I looked on the balcony around me, there was nothing. I resumed my slouch on the bench, re-lit the joint and contemplated the Universe.
After five minutes, the Universe hit again.
The anger bolted me off the bench. I looked around frantically for something to blame, an object lying red-faced on the floor, but nothing. I borrowed a high-powered torch and lit up the closest tree. Nothing suspicious, just the usual night shadows and leaves.
I came to the conclusion it had to be some kind of nocturnal bird protecting its nest: Night Jar or Owl.
It hit me again a week later on the back of my head on the deck below. But this time I caught a glimpse of its silent wings reflecting the ambient glow of the warm light from the lounge lamp just inside the house. Bust
A Wood Owl.
It sat innocently on a branch staring back at me. I sat back on the bench, mesmerized and relieved. I re-lit the joint.
What does it mean? It’s got to mean something in this dreamworld. An omen, or portent, or am I just being paranoid that the Universe is trying to sabotage me. Okay, so we usually associate owls with wisdom, does that mean wisdom is going to hit me on the head. Surprise realizations busting my mind? And if I don’t get it, what’s next, lightning?!
I hope not.
It could be a simple reminder to be mindful of Consciousness around me. Like in a dream, everything is me. In this mysterious realm, Everything is Consciousness. And so in Vedanta philosophy: I am nothing but Consciousness.
The world around me is abundant in symbolism. I constantly ignore it, waiting for the booming sky-voice (or the owl whacking me on the back of the head), ignoring the micro-realizations, the little wisdoms discounted as monkey mind ramblings.
I know what I need to do. I tell myself every day. I am wise, it’s time to act it out.