ARCHETYPAL CHAINING
Archetypal Chaining is our default thought process, the interplay between attention and internal models. It is my contention these models are made up predominantly of associations, and that attention naturally flows along these associative pathways.
We can initiate this process of archetypal chaining, we can interrupt it, we can steer it in the direction of our choosing, and we also select our point of departure. The point being, archetypal chaining is going to happen no matter what, you have to learn to go with it but not surrender yourself completely.
Imagine lines denoting an associative link converging into a single nexus point. This stationary convergence creates a cross roads, a point of reference, something our attention can hold onto momentarily before being tumbled down a seemingly endless labyrinth. When we hold onto one of these islands, eventually we have to let go and cascade down one of pathways available from our current location.
Something captures your attention, which activates or personal model of whatever that focal point may be. Imagine pouring water into such a nexus point, that water will flow outwards, overflowing into neighboring nexus points, activating them as well. Or if not activating them, making their associative pathways available for travel through the presence of attention. Eventually, one of these newly activated nexus points will become the dominant focal point, and it will begin to manifest it's association.
Here's a scenario which repeats it's self often for me. I'll watch something with zombies before bed, and if it's good, it captures my attention. We have our first main focal point which has been established outside the dream, before it even begins. With this point set, the dream obliges with zombies galore. Structurally speaking, a major association with the zombie apocalypse is scrounging for food and supplies. With my focal point being zombies, the dream manifests plenty of scrounging opportunities, along with the obvious zombie attacks. Another association with zombies is the inevitable dwindling population, with the obvious conclusion that we need to repopulate this planet. Basically, my zombie dreams end with a big orgy, often in the zero gravity of space. The idea of repopulation is a novel association if not a major one, and frankly, sex is way more novel than zombies. Once the sex starts, that becomes my new focal point, and the zombies are long forgotten. With sex as my dominant focal point, the dream begins to manifest all kinds of pervy things. There is very little random in these dreams, and the content is nothing if not predictable.
As with my example above, Dream Incubation is nothing more than the process of archetypal chaining. This process is not limited to dreaming, it's just easier to see it in action within a dream.
