The Waking Dream: Unlocking the Symbolic Language of Our Lives

This book changed the way I see the world around me. It's one of those rare books that effectively help make sense of the "sublime" natural of reality. Books like the Celestine Prophecy try in their new-age way to address this concept of symbolic language around us, but this book is not fluff; it marries the esoteric with psychological principals, and does it in a demonstrably REAL way. Fantastic reading. Buy it now.

This book represents the best, most comprehensive, exposition of the symbolist world view in a single volume. Infact, if I wanted to truly understand the deep, fundamental roots of mysticism or occultism, this is the book that I would read first. Symbolism stands in contrast to stark materialism in that it assigns inherent Meaning to the world. Symbolism holds that this physical, material world is the lowest level of reality and not it's totality, as "science" would have us believe. The lower levels merely reflect the archetypical currents, patterns, and laws of the higher: "As above, so below." To personally validate this mode of thinking in one's own life is to experience permanent mind shift. You never see creation as dead, sterile, and meaningless again. What more can one ask of a book or a teaching?

Ray Grasse clearly outlines many thought processes which open the reader's mind in several fields of metaphysical studies. The reading level is some what high, so a good base of study on archetypes, Eastern theology, and all around understanding of the Crusades of the Light Warriors are helpful. Great book. A must have for reference and study.

Mr.Grasse brings to light the realization that everything that could ever be known or felt is a symbolic event. The issue of synchronicity and correspondences are age old understandings of how the system works. It is the way we perceive ourselves and our world. His work is extremely well researched and documented. Soon you realize that you too are a meaningful participant in an on-going synchronistic event.

In "The Waking Dream" Ray Grasse explains the nature of symbols, cycles and synchronicity. He calls himself a symbolist: "The symbolist standpoint considers life to be a living book of symbols, a sacred text that can be decoded." I enjoy working with the idea that our everyday waking life can be interpreted just as symbolically as our dream life to gain expanded information and personal growth. This book will be on the recommended list for every astrology, tarot, and metaphysical class I teach.