cerebellum dance

In the dream, I’m being pushed around by the police. Really, anything I try to do, any effort I make, is immediately checked. These are men in military uniforms, heavily kitted out, a dangerous and violent militarized police force, and I don’t now clearly remember what any of my intentions actually are, or were – only that they are constantly being contained by these forceful heavies, who will allow nothing to pass.At first, I interpreted the soldiers as an entirely negative, suppressive force. But it is also true that they are a defensive force. If their behavior in the dream did not appear defensive, the fact remains that such limits as restrict points of contact with the wider environment also protect these potentially vulnerable points against assault from the environment, and contain the behaviors that might otherwise invite destructive consequences. I’m not saying that it is best to live in this severely restricted way, only that such defenses have developed from out of actual conditions as the most sensible solution for those conditions, and therefore have a generous side to their nature, a benevolence, despite their appearance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit briancshort.substack.com