“With the compelling convincingness of dreams, which are vague yet exact, the ghost voice draws us (to ourselves and all of our component selves), lifts them casually out of the well of the past--the well wherein nothing is lost, the deep well of forgetfulness, and remembrance--and tosses them mockingly on the glassy table surface of our consciousness. There we are forced to consider them. There we are forced to regard, analyze, and re-understand.”
Explore This Quote Further
Exploring the Depths of the Past: Relevance of Heinrich Zimmer's Quote
Heinrich Zimmer's quote delves into the power of dreams to bring forth forgotten memories and emotions, forcing us to confront them in our waking consciousness. In today's fast-paced world where distractions are abundant, this concept remains relevant as individuals strive to understand themselves and their past experiences.
Example of Usage:
"As Heinrich Zimmer beautifully describes in his quote, dreams have the power to draw us into a thought-provoking introspection. The convincingness of dreams can force us to confront our past selves and analyze our memories with a new perspective."
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Heinrich Zimmer, the author compares the convincingness of dreams to a ghost voice that forces us to confront our past selves. The use of vivid imagery, such as being lifted out of the well of the past and tossed on the glassy table of consciousness, helps to convey the idea of being forced to reconsider and understand our past experiences. The act of regarding, analyzing, and re-understanding our past selves is presented as an essential aspect of personal growth and self-awareness. This quote highlights the power of introspection and reflection in gaining insight into our own identities and histories.
Reflection Questions:
When considering the quote by Heinrich Zimmer, it prompts us to contemplate the power of our dreams and memories in shaping our sense of self and understanding of the world. Here are some reflection questions to delve deeper into this concept:
- How do dreams and memories influence our perception of ourselves and others?
- In what ways do our past experiences inform our present consciousness and decision-making?
- Can we truly understand ourselves without confronting and analyzing our past selves and experiences?
- How do dreams and memories play a role in shaping our identity and sense of purpose?
- What does it mean to re-understand and re-interpret our past experiences in light of our present awareness?
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“We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.”
“For over twenty-five centuries we’ve been bearing the weight of superb and heterogeneous civilizations, all from outside, none made by ourselves, none that we could call our own. This violence of landscape, this cruelty of climate, this continual tension in everything, and even these monuments of the past, magnificent yet incomprehensible because not built by us and yet standing round us like lovely mute ghosts; all those rulers who landed by main force from every direction who were at once obeyed, soon detested, and always misunderstood, their only expressions works of art we couldn't understand and taxes which we understood only too well and which they spent elsewhere: all these things have formed our character, which is thus conditioned by events outside our control as well as by a terrifying insularity of mind.”
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“A priestess of Avalon does not lie. But I am cast out of Avalon, and for this, and unless it is all to be for nothing, I must lie, and lie well and quickly”