Dream System Of Seven Sins

Before Adam opened his eyes, he could hear the sound of children playing and his heart was seized with consternation.

His fear wasn't unfounded because when he finally opened his eyes, the all-too-familiar church fell into view.

Then, the machine of his nightmare started to move and click into place. The children went silent suddenly and they whipped their heads around at him. Adam felt so n.a.k.e.d like they were staring into his soul, playing with his deepest and darkest secret.

The "where is the bride?" chanting started anew, and Adam turned to Father John beside him in anticipation. A pair of stern eyes greeted him.

"Sinner!" Father John commanded in a booming voice that shook the building to its foundation. Adam could feel his legs giving way as he stumbled involuntarily back.

However, at that moment, something different happened. Kindness returned to Father John's feature and the familiar face from Adam's religious childhood reappeared.

Adam was at once confused and comforted.

"It has been a long time, my dear child," Father John said in his gravelly voice.

"But... but, I see you every night in my dream, Father..." A still-shocked Adam mumbled.

Father John frowned. "You consider that caricature my replica? I must have left quite a scar on young Adam then," Father John commented in good humor.

Adam shook his head quickly and proffered a bit too quickly, "No, no, of course not Father, you've always been a figure of inspiration to me. I can see now that the other figure was nothing more than a figment of my imagination."

"Ah, yes, Adam," Father John twirled his finger in mid-air as if stressing his point. "Regardless of who that person was or who I am, the operative term here is 'a figment of your imagination'. This is all a dream so to speak. Then again, who is to say that dream is not important as dreams are often another mirror into your heart. In other words, this is the perfect opportunity for self-reflection, my child.

Now, I want you to take this opportunity to really look at yourself because self-reflection is often a good tool to help us grow, and I would love to see you grow into your best self. Now, let's go through this together. Why are you so afraid of the other me, what has he done to shake you thusly?"

"He condemns me because I'm a sinner..?" Adam answered timidly like he was doing a confessional.

"Well, do you agree or disagree with that assessment?"

Adam frowned in deep thought. This was a question he really hadn't considered before. "I..." he hesitated.

Father John smiled encouragingly. "No matter, I will help you answer that, child."

"You are," He concluded firmly.