by Miles Harman
A warm and friendly atmosphere greets me. Wine, a juicy steak, some sautéed vegetables, and small talk with the waitress- all a projection of my mind. I’m willing to forget and enjoy, if just for the moment.
The clouds in the distant sky light up in a fiery red display during my short trip across the smooth waters back to the yacht. After stowing my gear, I return to the top deck and lie and watch the sky darken. I drift off to sleep.
In the morning I’m refreshed and ready to explore Maui. After refueling the motorbike and small boat, I pack the usual supplies in preparation to ascend Haleakala. The handgun is left behind, because after creating the steak dinner, I’m confidently in control of this dream. After a short trip to the coast, I secure the boat to the same pole used last night.
Paralleling the coast by motorbike for several miles, the old road weaves in an out of the surf, completely submerged at several points. I must drive in the dirt until the road rejoins dry land. Finally diverging from the surf, I drive inland and up the mountain. More makeshift tent villages full of refugees dot the landscape.
While steadily ascending the large peak, I gaze in awe of the breathtaking views of the valley below. Lanai and Molokai protrude from the water across the channel. A large shadow crosses the road on the pavement in front of the motorbike. A hang glider soars high above.
Another flashback- My father and I fly a kite by our house when I’m young. It suddenly comes down with a crash next to my mother, startling her as she works in the garden nearby. We laugh. Returning memories are bittersweet. My family is missed but I’m grateful for proof that my waking life wasn’t always as empty as it is now.
Refocusing on driving up the winding road, I ascend above the thick forest where the terrain is sparsely populated with trees. A sign reads: “Welcome to Haleakala National Park”. The guardhouse at the entrance is abandoned. The landscape becomes more rocky and barren. Cool thin air hits my skin, so I stop and dress in warm clothes.
It is the middle of the morning, and I arrive on top of Haleakala. After peering down into the barren crater in awe, I see the satellite tracking station on a distant peak. The structure looks promising- a large building, powered by a wind turbine several hundred yards away. Whatever function this facility performs, the government decided it’s valuable enough to ensure it continues to have electricity. Parking the motorbike, I enter.
The interior of the building contains a large room with many computers and monitors. Forgetting for a moment that this is in my mind, I wonder where the workers are. The main room is as large as my compound and there are several additional small rooms. Reconfigured, it’s possible for someone to grow food here. Deciding that sustained life here is plausible, I’m satisfied to find the first stop on my journey.
I return to the motorbike with renewed hope. Cheerfully riding down the mountain, I anxiously think about my next stop, Oahu. The ride back is quick and I’m soon on the yacht. Watching the beauty of another fiery red sunset behind the neighboring Island of Lanai, I imagine what else is in store for me in this dream.
After eating dinner onboard, I lounge on the deck until the night sky fills with stars. Thanks to the darkness of the island from power shortages, countless stars are visible all around. Captivated by the Milky Way, it’s some time before I notice the brilliant full moon low on the horizon next to Maui. Viewing a full moon is similar to living life through an awakened perspective in this dream world.
The moon always exists as an object whether or not I’m here to witness it. Regardless of what I see, half the surface is illuminated by the sun and half of it is hidden in the darkness. The amount of lit surface I see depends on my perspective from the earth. If I’m perpendicular to the sun while I see the moon, I only see half of the moon’s illuminated face. The more my view is directly between the sun and moon, the more illuminated surface I see, until I reach the point of alignment with the light of the sun and see the entire full moon, just as it now appears.
This relates to being consciously awake in this dream life. My perspective in this reality is currently illuminated entirely by my consciousness of being the author and therefore I’m in line with an illuminated perspective. When I usually dream, unaware of my authorship, I don’t see the full truth of my being, and the objects I normally dream are lifeless. Coming from an aware perspective, I witness the full beauty of my world. A correct frame of consciousness allows this illuminated version of the same external reality to be experienced. The calm sea gently rocks the yacht in the warm evening air and causes me to drift asleep.
Chapter 10
A Familiar Face
“Every intention sets energy in motion,
whether you are conscious of it or not.”
-Gary Zukav
After leaving anchorage from Kihei in the morning, I follow the coast of Maui north. Early in the trip, the water spout of a whale bursts into the air. While appreciating my incredible surroundings, I discover life from my new perspective is more enjoyable every day.
During dream lifetimes inside the chamber, I regularly recreated the same circumstances, fearing if certain things were let go, part of my identity would disappear with them. Letting myself be defined by a dream’s particulars, I missed many experiences. I lived in a state of fearful loss, not creative bliss. Even this awakened perspective isn’t something I should attach to as nothing in it permanently defines me.
The beauty of northwestern Maui and surrounding islands is unsurpassed. Captivated, I decide to take one night off to enjoy the island. With ample time to explore the final two sites, hopefully stopping will help me understand this new state of living and myself more. The anchor splashes into the water and the yacht comes to a stop offshore of Kaanapali, another old vacation town on the northern coast of Maui. Several luxurious resorts protrude from the surf, mostly submerged.
With the yacht secure, I make my way to shore. A solitary intact resort stands above the flood line, which will hopefully be open for my night off. I walk past the pool and through the lounge area to the front desk. While approaching the counter, I do a double take after seeing the woman behind it. In the midst of picturing the last time I saw her, she makes eye contact.
“Welcome to Kaanapali Resort, I’m Allison. How may I help you?” She says with a smile.
Well this is unexpected…Looking into her eyes I remember the kiss on top of the burning building just before awaking, and what we shared for those few moments. My mind is creating Allison here, again. Don’t get overwhelmed…Dreams are designed to adapt and hold my attention, which was suddenly working very well… She’s beautiful…
Collected, I reply, “Hi, I’m Gabriel and on a trip between the islands in need of a place to stay for the night, do you have anything available?”
“Of course sir, we have plenty of rooms, will a king size suite meet your needs?”
“That’ll be perfect.”
She fills in some paperwork behind the desk. I gaze into her eyes. Just a creation in my mind, I whisper to myself, but the kiss we shared, and all of the other memories I’m recalling. In the midst of being carried away, my thoughts are interrupted-
“Here is your key sir. Your room is down the hall to the right on the first floor. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
Smiling, I say, “Thanks for everything.”
Walking to my room, the hotel is almost empty. The room has breathtakingly beautiful ocean views. In front of the ocean spans a lush tropical garden. Appreciating the beauty, I know it’s all going to be frozen and barren landscape in a few weeks. The nuclear winter will drastically change this world, stripping the landscape before me of life.
After putting away my things and taking a shower, I turn on a small, portable radio and find some news. Listening to the broadcasts of turmoil, I get another flashback- Watching television with my parents, I see people starving from massive food and water scarcities in Asia and Africa… North Korean troops crossing the demilitarized zone into South Korea… Explosions over Seoul...
Militaries of India and Pakistan amassing along the border, tensions peak... Sensing my parent’s anxiety, I feel uneasy… I snap back, knowing what this madness will soon bring.
Pausing, I fill my lungs with a deep breath, and know the flashbacks are from events that already happened. The reports on the radio now are inside a dream that has no impact on my waking life. Turning the radio off, I decide to focus on enjoying my night on Maui.
After exploring the hotel I find myself by the ocean. Near the waterline next to the hotel, I walk through a forest that the rising surf invades, evidenced by the exposed roots from washed out soil. The coast directly behind the hotel contains no submerged buildings, and soon a pod of dolphins swims past. Children swing from a branch overhanging the surf, laughing and splashing.
What else does this place hold in store? After returning to the poolside bar, I relax and order a drink. While waiting for my drink Allison catches my attention. She’s talking to a waitress on the far side of the pool and out of her uniform, so her shift at the reception counter must‘ve ended. The waitress she’s with leaves, so I take my drink and walk over.
Making eye contact, I approach her and say, “Hi Allison, thanks for the great room.”
“You’re welcome. You look familiar. Have we met before today?”
Not wanting the conversation to be about my dreams, I reply, “This is my first time in Kaanapali, but I’ve traveled a lot. You’re very familiar too. We must’ve known each other in another life.” We both laugh and I continue, “Are you done working for the day?”
“Yes, I just finished and came by the pool to unwind for a little. You’re Gabriel, right?”
Looking at her beautiful smile, I decide to see what else hides behind that pretty face. What would’ve happened if there was time for more than just a kiss on top of the burning building in my last dream? Even knowing she’s a projection in my mind of my childhood friend Allison as an adult, I want to find out more of this particular woman’s story anyways.
“Yes, I’m Gabriel. Are you from Maui?”
“No, I’m actually from Oahu. My family’s house was just outside the floodwall around Honolulu and Waikiki and was swept away by the rising ocean about five years ago. My parents sent me here to live with my aunt and uncle. After I arrived, I was fortunate enough to get a job at this resort.”
She continues, “Where are you from, and what do you do?”
Thinking for a moment how to explain we are both in my dream and I actually exist alone in a frozen wasteland, I decide to bend the truth slightly.
“I live on the Big Island and work with geothermal energy.”
Partially the truth, but not wanting to elaborate, I change the subject.
“What’s fun to do around here?”
She pauses and replies, “Horseback riding, hiking, and snorkeling, just to name a few things.”
Just then, a dolphin jumps out of the water and high in the air near the shore, catching my attention.
“Have you ever been swimming with those dolphins?” I point to the group of fins in the water, circling where the dolphin landed.
“None of my friends are adventurous enough to go near them, but I always wondered what it would be like.”
“Do you have a swimsuit here?” I ask.
“I keep one in my work locker.” She gives me an inquisitive look.
“Meet me back here in five minutes in your swimsuit, and I’ll go with you.”
She softly giggles, “Ok, I’ll meet you back here.”
Soon back in my room, I quickly change, take a towel and hurry back to the pool. Minutes later, Allison emerges at the top of the stairs with two sets of snorkel gear. It’s hard not to stare at her slender and fit body while she walks down the stairs. Her attractive figure and beautiful face approach.
“Were you waiting long?” she asks.
”Not at all, I was just enjoying the scenery.”
She hands me a set of snorkel gear and we continue to the shoreline. As soon as we’re near the water she quickly jumps in and swims towards the pod of dolphins.
“Come on Gabriel!” she yells from a few yards off shore.
I jump in, and swiftly swim towards the dolphins a distance away. Approaching the pod, with several dorsal fins just a few yards away, I momentarily have second thoughts as to if this is a good idea. The current soon takes us right in the middle of the pod. I remind myself that I’m creating this and nothing in this world can hurt us if I don’t want it to.
Swimming in the middle of the pod is beyond description. Dolphins swim below and around us, doing flips and tricks in all directions. Looking underwater with the snorkel and mask, I hear their sonic communication. The variable pitch of sequential dolphin calls plays in an underwater symphony. After floating amongst the pod for twenty minutes they swim away, leaving us alone in a calm area near the coast.
While treading water, Allison looks into my eyes, and says, “Thank you Gabriel that was fun.”
“I’ve never seen anything like that before!”
We both smile and swim into shore to dry off. Once dry, we walk back towards the pool, smiling and laughed from the fun.
“That was the most excitement I’ve had in as long as I can remember. One of the baby dolphins came right up to me!” She laughs.
I reply, “It was for me too. I’m surprised how fast they move.”
“Yeah, it’s incredible.”
Not wanting our time together to end, I ask, “So do you have anywhere that you need to be tonight?”
“No, why do you ask?”
“Would you like to have dinner at the restaurant in the resort?”
Her eyes light up, “Gabriel, I’d love to! Can we sit by the pool for a little while first?”
“Of course, do you want a drink?”
“Sure, I’ll take a Mojito.”
We pass a waitress and I order two drinks. The pool area is empty, so we take two comfortable lounge chairs next to each other in the sun. Moments after sitting down in the warmth of the afternoon, our drinks arrive. There’s no way this moment can be any better. That very thought, of course, is why it’s happening.
Chapter 11
Lost In A Dream On Maui
“If you believe in forever, then life is just a one-night stand.”
-Righteous Brothers
Still intrigued and somewhat in disbelief that Allison is with me in this dream, I want to learn as much as possible about her. I see why I carry her through my dreams, because she consumes my undivided attention. But I don’t mind.
“So, what was life on the island of Oahu like?”
She explains, “When I was in high school ten years ago, global warming took its heaviest toll on Oahu. The ocean already rose, but the flooding was controllable. I still remember the day water rushed over the primitive shoring, down the streets, and into our living room. So many people lived so close to the water on Oahu and since walling the entire coast was impossible, losses were cut. All resources were invested in the Honolulu-Waikiki wall, encircling both cities. Homes everywhere else, including ours weren’t ‘cost-effective’ to save, so now fish swim in my bedroom.
“After we lost the house, we lived off of aide from the mainland in a tent city inland. Eventually, even the mainland had resource shortages, after which Hawaii was neglected. Over a million people tried to live off the small island and surrounding waters.
“Life is tough there now, whether you are inside or outside the wall. My parents were able to get me here where it’s a little better, but I haven’t heard from them for some time. I think about them a lot, and wish they could come here, but they are staying to care for my grandmother who is too ill to make a boat trip over here.”
Feeling deep sympathy for her, I wish there’s a way to help her. Seeing life there firsthand sounds interesting, but for today I want nothing else but to enjoy Allison’s company. The mood lightens after we share several funny stories, most of which I have to fabricate.
While s
itting by the pool, we laugh and drink as the sun begins to set. Eventually we walk back down to the water and watch the fiery red sun slowly disappear. The sun vanishes behind the low clouds near Lanai in the distance, painting the sky a bright red and orange mosaic. I look into Allison’s eyes and bring my lips towards hers. While we deeply kiss, I feel the same connection in my heart that we shared on the roof of the burning building.
She looks at me, smiling, “Gabriel, I’m glad you washed up on this beach.”
“I am glad I washed up here too.”
We stand together, holding hands until the sun is far below the horizon and the brilliant sky turns purple and then dark. We agree to meet outside my room before dinner, so I tell her my room number before she leaves to change. After changing myself, I sit on my lanai, listening to the waves crashing on the shore. The quiet night is interrupted by her knock on the door. I open to Allison, elegantly standing before me in a white dress.
“You look beautiful,” are the only words I can get out.
“Thank you Gabriel, you look handsome yourself.”
We walk to dinner at the hotel restaurant. While waiting for our food we discuss everything imaginable. Allison’s sense of humor, smarts, and beauty grow on me with every passing moment.
The main course is pasta and seafood, which we wash down with plenty of wine. On a few occasions, I become lost in her eyes and imagine myself creating a life with her in this place. Towards the end of dinner, I realize it’s been several hours since I’ve remembered this is a dream, and I’ve been living from my limited perspective of being caught up in the circumstances. The right experience really can capture my attention, making me forget what’s real.
After dinner, we go to the hotel bar, which has music and dancing. Dancing in each other’s arms for several hours, we lose track of time, staying until closing. While walking back to my room, we talk about the fun we had over the course of the night. Outside the room, I invite Allison in for another drink.
