FINDING LOST CIVILIZATIONS This

these objects, and the experience, was that I felt as if theywere transporting me back in time. Exploring ancient paststhrough museums is rewarding, but everything is often ina locked, sealed, and sterile environment. But, to actuallyhold an ancient object and examine it brings forth a hostof emotions that can’t be experienced by looking through aglass case. While inside the herb man’s house I could sensea power and connection to the objects surrounding me andfelt history’s presence as I have never felt before. I spentseveral hours looking at, touching, and feeling the remnantsof the past that surrounded me. The herb man never offeredto sell me any of the objects, nor did I ever ask to buy anything.I am grateful for that because some things are justnot for sale. Being surrounded by these artifacts and hearingthe herb man talk about their life and revival was a kind ofknowledge that could never be bought. The value was in theexperience itself.Later that evening our host made a wonderful tea with aconcoction of herbs and hibiscus flowers, which he claimedhad medicinal powers. That night I had a dream within adream. It was as if a conscious element within me was awakeobserving the dream, but knowing that what I was observingin the dream was also an element of the dream. In mydream I was passing through the ancient history of Mexico.Although at times I felt that I was flying, I was also wandering,looking, searching, following a thread that kept pullingme back as the ruins of ancient civilizations lay at my feet.As my father and I left Guadalajara for Zacatecas twodays later and drove along Mexico Highway 54, the meaningof this lucid dream would reveal itself.24