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At night — instead of dreaming inane dreams — let the mind be still, calm, and silent. The function of dreaming is to resolve issues that occurred during the day, so as to put the brain in order. Desires, fears, and problems all play their part in causing dreams in the brain to occur. The brain needs order… and, if it is not fully orderly during the day, dreams often occur primarily to help order to occur within (and “as”) the brain. However, if one is very attentive, aware, and sagacious throughout the day, then dreams become unnecessary. If, throughout the day, the mind is aware without needless conflict and friction — and without crass separation from the perceptions that take place — then the mind may be orderly and whole. Then, there is no need for petty, superficial dreams to bring order, for order has occurred throughout the day and there are no significant problems or fears to resolve during sleep. So a mind that is really whole, wise, orderly, and insightful, rarely dreams. If it eats some unusual or spicy foods, that may trigger some physiological reactions that cause some superficial dreaming; otherwise dreaming rarely, if ever, occurs. Then the mind can wake up really rested… not having had to struggle with unresolved conflicts, fears, and problematic patterns. At night, a truly orderly mind goes beyond patterns, friction, and self-fabricated images… and is truly resting and not wasting energy; and such a mind accomplishes such things during sleep because it often acts that way (as deep order) throughout the day. Then there is no disorder to “carry over” into the night; then there is no disorder to resolve with (and “as”) superficial dreams.
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Mayfly Study. Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2015
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Amazing detail on your photo 🙂
And you’re right about the dreaming. Nightmares often occur after a hectic, stressful day!
Thanks, Sci! Yes… dreams can occur more when one is under stress.
Great picture! Your pictures say 2015, but bugs are not out yet, they must be from previous years?
Interesting on dreams.
Most of my shots are from last spring, summer, and fall. As I’ve written before (on this), I do not go out in cold weather to take photographs any longer… (due to having arthritis – which the cold weather affects and exacerbates). ( I am retired and elderly, and obtained the osteoarthritis from years and years of lifting my heavy multiply handicapped students in and out of their wheelchairs). If I’m out in cold weather, my arthritis gets way worse. Additionally, I take mostly macro photos; not too many people want to see close-ups of dead leaves and empty sticks. 🙂
Perfect.
I have found this also. Since meditating dreams and their importance seem to have vanished. Although last night i did have a vivid one.
Lifes as basic as it gets these days. And boy is it fufilling 🙂
Great post
Thanks, Jessie!
I do not do a form of meditation that one can practice.
Is that your Eclectus Parrot? I have parrots and (before I became elderly and retired) used to breed macaws. Eclectus truly are a cool species! 🙂
I’m sure you have an informal mode of meditation, whether it be just sitting in the garden or walking or whatever.
Yes, his name is Manu, because I’m a human, and naming things is what we cant seem to resist to do. But he is definitely an absolute darling, my best friend/lover all in one, very lucky to have him 🙂
Stunning shot of the dragonfly, To,! Well said about dreams.
Thanks much, Amy! It’s not a dragonfly… it’s a mayfly. Mayflies – in the adult winged form – usually live only a few hours at most. (But they make good use of time.)
Thank you for the info, Tom!
Incredible photo Tom! Awesome details.
Thanks Joe! I really liked your recent photos as well! 🙂
I provided guided trips to Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park, usually the second week of June. The fourth trip yielded a lake completely covered with Mayflies, barel a few inches a part. It was a lovely sight. We paddled softly and in silence through the area.
As to dreaming, I like understand your point of view. In fact, at this point in my life, the dreams I have occur once or twice over ten days. They are not violent but do provide insite for healing regarding a very abusive childhood. I actually enjoy bringing these to my therapist. It is interesting what we learn and I think a healthy way to look at the worst of what happened.
Great post and photography.
Since we live on a river, sometimes Mayflies cover our house by the thousands. It makes sense to all come out at the same time; that way, predators eat their fill and can’t eat any more… and the rest survive.
I had a rather abusive childhood too. Personally, I don’t believe in therapists (and definitely not analysis). You can analyze yourself and the past into infinity. Plus the “analyzer” is the “analyzed”! It’s far more prudent to psychologically die to the past and to live happily without it. Not to stereotype, but before I retired with working as a teacher for the multiply handicapped, I realized that most of the psychologists and psychiatrists (especially at the first place of my employment) were more “off the beam” than most people!