The Joy Of Unearthing Holy Treasures
Dreams. We all have them. I'm not referring to aspirational dreams, like taking a trip to China or blasting off in a spaceship to Mars. I'm referring to sleep and the crazy people and events we encounter during the REM stage of the sleep cycle. No one has figured out yet why we dream, or what any dream means. Science, apparently, has bigger fish to fry.
I've often heard dreams are messages from heaven. Personally, I don't have any evidence of this, but I do believe if a dream makes us stop and think, it's purposeful regardless of its source. Such was the case with the following two dreams I had years ago. They impressed me by their similarity, but also by the nature of their content.
In the first dream, I'm on a private beach as a guest staying at a luxury hotel. In the sand, I stumble upon a buried treasure of coins—rare gold coins in mint condition. I stop to wonder who would bury them but never return to retrieve them.
In the dream, the overwhelming joy of finding such a hidden treasure is quickly overshadowed by my conscience. I'm mindful this find is on the hotel's property, so I must inform the concierge to see if he might know its rightful owner.
The concierge's desk is a full bar with a counter and barstools, seated with guests. It's happy hour and loud with overbloated laughter. When I sit down and tell the bartender what I found, he assures me the coins are mine to keep, but a woman seated next to me has eavesdropped and insists she's entitled to her share of the loot, being that she's a hotel guest, just as I am.
I don't know the woman, but I'm willing to share it with her because I'm generous and eager to help someone in need. End of this first dream.
In the second dream, I'm on another beach—a public one somewhere in the Middle East. It's overcast and breezy. It's quiet and not a soul's in sight. As I adjust my beach towel, I find a partially buried coin. I begin to dig and discover an immense trove of gold coins, each being 3 inches in diameter and very ancient. As I continue to dig, I find a gold crucifix large as an anchor.
I'm awed and beyond thrilled by this divine discovery, and I think, wow, this must have been buried during the Crusades, and it's mine! Digging further, the spoils continue to grow and include lots of paper bills, handfuls upon handfuls, which I stuff into my beach bag.
Then, buried deeper lies a woman's journal. I open it and learn she's died from a tubal pregnancy. I'm not sure why her fortune is buried here, but this time I'm planning to keep it and use it for my own good. That's when a man walks up, notices the journal in my hands, and claims to be the cousin of the deceased and rightful inheritor of her possessions, but I don't trust him and feel threatened by him. Surely, he watched me dig up the treasure, unseen. So I politely tell him I'm willing to discuss it further over a cup of coffee at the nearby hotel. End of the second dream.
The two dreams came weeks apart, but upon waking, both dreams evoked the same question—why would anyone bury their own treasure? And, in both dreams, someone tried to lay claim to it, and I was open to sharing.
I wondered why these dreams, so similar in content, came to me twice. Was there a message I missed the first time? If so, what was the message?
Lately, I've reflected on my purpose in life, and I've come back to these dreams and the act of finding gold, extracting it, and allowing others to share in it.
The term "gold digger" is not flattering, but I've concluded that its meaning should be repurposed because this is who I am. It's what I love to do—find the holy treasures that are buried in people, and inspire them to bring them forth for others to appreciate.
I believe that no matter our background or condition in life, we are each endowed with our own special trove of gold, our own innate gift imbued by the heavens, that all too often remains buried and unseen.
Whether we abandon ourselves outright or don't believe in our specialness, our gift remains hidden, yet calls to us because it's our own piece of heaven that God aims to display in this earthly life we've been given. In doing so, we light the world, or enlighten it, and make it all the more special, beautiful, and truthful.
This is my interpretation. If you have additional thoughts about these dreams, I would love to hear them.
Slipstream
Those two dreams were obviously quite vivid and memorable. I agree that we all have treasure in us, but many times, through rejection and the hard knocks of life, they get buried by shame and fear. Sometimes, as you describe, one person's interest and attention can bring forth the gold that's been hidden away, and new talents and abilities are brought to the surface and can be used to make the world a better place. Thanks for sharing your dreams.
Evangel
So true. So much talent has been squelched in childhood by parents who fear the lifestyle of the arts industries. But genius in any field of work is not the only type of innate gift. There are so many others, such as the gold we find in a joyful personality, or one's sense of humor, or ability to easily connect with others and be kind. Courage is another kind of innate gold, so is determination, or ability to persuade others. Countless examples of innate gold can be found in even the poorest communities around the world. Some people don't even realize how powerful these gifts are or how they support others.
Present Valley
Oh beautiful dreamer! You certainly have lovely locations for your night time travels. 😊
Thank you for sharing this sparkly story. I
so love the richness of our dreams.
One thought I had about your dreams was they were trying to tell you to pay attention to something about you …giving away or being willing to give away what belongs to you…your hidden “finds.” Even though the bartender, which was essentially a part of you, supported you in keeping the treasure in the first dream. In the second dream a part of you was also on board with keeping the treasure to make your life richer, better, easier. Yet you say you contemplated having a discussion with a man you did not trust and felt threatened by instead of simply walking away with the treasure.
Another thought was that you are a goldigger in the most flattering way. You have created Youtropolis which gives each contributor the platform to unearth their “holy treasure” each time they post or comment.
I wish you success in unraveling the puzzle of your dreams in the waking hours of your day.
Evangel
I think your thought is interesting. Perhaps the gold that I'm willing to share, even with the untrustworthy man, is a metaphor for the golden knowledge or insight that we each have these gifts within us that are buried and easily unearthed. And thank you for recognizing Youtropolis as a platform wherein the unearthing and sharing can proceed. I think the puzzle of these dreams has been unraveled.
Well Street
Your recall is amazing, and reading about your dreams reminds me of Daniel in the Bible, who was known for interpreting dreams.
As a locator and extractor of gold (people's innate gifts), your repurposing of "gold digger" is perfect. It parallels author Alan Cohen's reframing of perfectionism, in that its truest meaning is to actively look for and expect to find the good in oneself and others.
In your first dream, the woman at the desk strikes me as not only intrusive, but entitled and looking for an easy, unwarranted payday. Perhaps you recognized these characteristics as evidence that she needed to unearth gifts she'd been endowed with but had buried herself.
Evangel
Thank you for your interesting comment. The idea of someone feeling entitled to a quick payday versus doing the hard work of digging for gold and polishing it into something useful pervades our world with its greedy capitalistic agenda. Everything we do today is "under the gun." You look at the spectacular architecture, carvings, mosaics, and compositions of centuries ago before the advent of industrialization, and it reminds us that those people were paid to take their time to create quality and beauty. I think of cathedrals and mosques and Egyptian obelisks chiseled to perfection. No one is given the time to bring forth their magnificence, much less paid to do so. Maybe this is why so many people feel disconnected, unhappy, and addicted to quick highs.
Homeless Valley
I loved this story! You have interesting dreams. I can never remember my dreams. I enjoyed reading the comments, too...all very thoughtful and it's inspired me to explore any hints of unearthed gifts that may be buried deep within.
Charlieville
I love this post! I am fascinated by dreams and their meanings…always have been. I searched “unearthing gold coins in your dreams” and this is what came up…
HIDDEN POTENTIAL - You’re about to discover a talent or opportunity you didn’t know existed
UNEXPECTED WINDFALL - Financial or emotional abundance may be on its way
SPIRITUAL TREASURE - You’re uncovering deeper wisdom or divine guidance.
I think your interpretation is spot on and I think your calling to start painting again is evidence of it. You are unearthing your golden talents (with divine guidance) and sharing them…with the financial and emotional abundance to follow 😊
Evangel
Well, thanks for researching and providing this very interesting analysis❣️I also love your own insight, especially the last sentence. To that, let me say, from your lips to god's ears💖
Wilsons Grave
Reading this brought to mind the days of old when men panned for gold as shown in old western movies. For me, the message lands squarely on our value not being in the amount of earthly gold we possess, but the kind that's buried, unseen, and ours to dig out of ourselves...and share...and even monetize. Now you got me curious about what lies buried in me, but I guess I should figure that out. Any suggestions or shortcuts on how I should do that?
Evangel
Good question!! You can start by knowing what brings you peace and makes life feel worthwhile, and understanding what makes you feel worthy at the end of the day. Thanks for asking.
Wonderland
Personally, I would invest in a metal detector, and head to the beach!
Evangel
Of course you would. Maybe invite me along, especially if you're staying at one of those beachfront luxury hotels, high end as those in the dream. Meanwhile, consider your sense of humor is part of your valuable treasure trove.