On Symbolic Dreams

Last night, I think I had a symbolic dream. It went thusly:

I was walking along a street when an elderly Asian man in a bright red silk jacket with gold trim asked me if I would carry his baby granddaughter for him, as she couldn't yet walk and he was too tired to keep carring her. I happily agreed, so he gave me the baby and walked in front of me. Slowly, though, he get further and further ahead of me. I wasn't surprised, as I was laden with an infant, who was quite heavy, and she was sleepy, so getting awkward to carry. At one point, I stopped to show her something pretty in a store window, but when I looked up, her grandfather was gone. I hurried ahead, but he had disappeared into the downtown crowd. After searching for him, I decided to walk to Chinatown, which was nearby, and hope that it was where he was heading. But he was nowhere to be found. Out of desperation, I went into what I thought was a community centre, but instead of city employees behind the counter, there were Buddhist monks. Some wore the grey robes of Korean monks, and some wore the burgundy and gold of Tibetan monks. Assured that they would be able to help, I waited until one of the monks was free, approached the counter, sat the baby on it, and started to explain what had happened.

Sadly, my alarm went off before the monk could help me.

But it got me to thinking. Maybe the baby symbolizes my life and responsibilities that are are getting a little too heavy and awkward for me to carry alone comfortably, even if I don't resent them and am glad to carry them. Maybe I should get back into studying Buddhism to see if it can help me with my burden.

I don't pretend to be an expert, but it IS my mind. And I HAVE been thinking of picking up a few of my Buddhist habits once again. Maybe this is a sign that my subconscious agrees. :)