194 SEEING MENTALLY 



thousands never reach the land of which, so 



recently, they had a clear vision. 



Though there are said to be day-dreamers 

 as well as night-dreamers, the normal condi- 

 tion of the dream state is when the eyes are 

 closed in darkness to the outer world and 

 physical life is dormant. It is then we see 

 mentally. This is a suggestive reflection, and 

 may help to explain the functioning of the 

 bird's subconscious mind. I do not imply the 

 birds are asleep, far from it, but when pursuing 

 a purposeful course they act in accordance 

 with the only form of mentality they possess, 

 which is subconscious, and functions on an 

 astral plane. Man, as we have seen, also has 

 access to this plane, when the conditions are 

 such as to prevent the working of his self- 

 conscious mind. 



Though birds do not lose the power (telees- 

 thesia) in the presence of ordinary light (the 

 pigeon is evidence), I beUeve darkness to be 

 the more favourable condition. 



