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As Bill approaches the house he is met by a vicious, barking dog. The dog represents Bill’s anger arising out of his many painful relationships, as well as the anger that he has used to keep people at a distance, creating isolation so he can feel safe.
A child comes to quiet the vicious dog and invite Bill inside. The child represents the warm innocent feelings that Swami’s love has awakened in Bill to overcome his anger and to help him relate more meaningfully with people.
Though Bill feels the warmth of the invitation, he is cautious and suspicious, reactions he has projected onto the face of the mother. Swami infuses Bill with the courage to overcome his isolation and fears, to be giving and caring with people. Bill is able to sit among the children and warmly tell them about Swami’s love, which he says brings the deepest meaning in life. He sees that the children are delighted and that they understand. Swami’s love makes Bill an innocent, open child, inspired to be an instrument of love.
Then Bill feels Swami calling him to bring light to others and serve them. Swami’s love gives him the courage to walk away from the island of isolation that separates him from others. Behold, Swami’s love gives him the courage to overcome all obstacles, represented by his ability to walk on water.
Service
In the course of treatment, Bill found the strength to stop drinking through his relationship with God. As he practiced Swami’s teachings about sense control and right action, his yearning to serve developed. In Bill’s dream, Swami directed him to serve children by telling them about his love. Performing this service helped Bill feel Swami’s compassion.
The impulse to serve and offer love to others arises in the course of our spiritual path. Service is a helping act that is performed without desire for the fruits of the action and as an offering of love to God. Service is dharma. Swami says it is
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