When we sleep — to help create psychological order — the mind often dreams about things that went on during recent days. Some of these dreams may not seem relevant to what actually went on… but, nevertheless, oftentimes they (indirectly) are. (Analyzing them doesn’t do much good, since the analyzer is the analyzed.) If one is very aware and holistically mindful during the day, then dreams are unnecessary. Then, the mind does not need to try to establish order during the night; order was already established. Without incessant dreaming, the mind can exist in (and “as”) a profound, mindful, meditative silence. Such silence is beautifully beyond repetitive, fabricated patterns and concocted symbols.
Be very holistically aware during waking hours, without constantly looking at things, and labeling things, symbolically (i.e., without merely seeing via words and stored mental images). Then, as was mentioned, you will see that having many dreams is unnecessary. (Of course, eating certain spicy or unusual foods — like pepper or piperine — may inadvertently cause dreams following the time they were consumed.) Please be sure to get enough sleep.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Right on brother!
Thank you, MobsterTiger. 😊
You’re very welcome my dear friend Tom! #LoveYourWorks
Ouch, Tom. Sleep is a gift that has been withheld from me all winter – just too much stress – but even dozing allows for dreaming – I don’t attempt interpret my dreams but if they carry a charge I remember them ( I always write them down – have for 40 years) – patterns repeat and time ceases – precognition is reality – sometimes my dreams are light years away from manifesting and without a journal I would never know. I am aware if dreams are not taken seriously then little is gained – and more important – some people don’t dream at all it seems – so I think this depends upon the individual.
It’s very interesting that you write down and record dreams! Actually, i do not like to refer to dreams as “your dreams” or “my dreams.” They are not what some separate entity owns or “has.” Dreams usually don’t occur with me unless i eat food that has certain (undesirable) things in it… like pepper (that contains piperine). Piperine is a substance that allows more things to pass through the stomach into the body. Unfortunately, this also includes rather toxic things (that are normally kept from entering), some of which can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause trouble… (and dreams are often a side-effect). Amy’s Frozen meals (that Walmart sells) are vegetarian, very tasty, and organic… which is why i am drawn to them. Unfortunately, a lot of them have pepper as one of the ingredients. Ugh! I am trying to stay clear of these products. I wish the Amy’s company would not use pepper so frequently! 😉
Very very interesting about pepper – Like you I have always eaten organically and use pepper sometimes but this info that you provide is brand new to me… many of my dreams aren’t mine at all – they come from??? – maybe they all are from somewhere else… you aren’t a dreamer obviously – it’s mystery why some of us are and some aren’t – I don’t pretend to know why but precognition is a reality in my life (and often an unwelcome one) and the thing about keeping track through writing is that you get to see it… no interpretation necessary – of course sometimes I make mistakes – but they are my biases and don’t belong to the dreams…. cold and windy but thank goodness – no more snow! Are birds coming your way – hmmm why so few photos of them? You are such a master….
Sara, i do mostly close-up macro any more, and birds are more distant critters. But i sure look at them.
Dreams are generally projections of the brain that recognizes them but they are not something separate, owned by the brain. They are extensions of the brain and do not come from some outside source. Usually they are projections about what the brain has observed during waking hours (in order to help create more order mentally). Being omens of the future are largely coincidental. True insight usually occurs during waking hours (when the mind is silent, fully aware, not self-projecting, and orderly).
You and I have to agree to disagree since our life experiences are so different -as far as I can tell dreams are one way consciousness manifests….
Yes, we’ll agree to disagree. I think that most dreams are self-projections that are unnecessary in a holistic mind. 😉
When does a dream become a dream? When it is remembered? I’m sure I dream, but I rarely recall dreaming…and I’m ok with that.
Yes, Richard, i understand. 😉 However, if that is the case, then you would at least barely recall certain dreams (some of the time). But if dreaming rarely took place, then there would be no remembering of even little fragments of dreams.
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While I have understood mindfulness and dreams, I’ve never thought to be more mindful in order to have less dreams. I will have to continue to learn more about how to achieve this. Thanks, Tom!
So great that you are looking into it, Susi. 😊 Please don’t look at it as something to achieve. It’s just something that may happen (with clarity).
I will keep that in mind, Tom. 🙂
At first glance I thought the picture was of a serpent on a log – you have captured many textures here Tom. I am now retired as of March 29th. I am excited because now, I have more time to get things done and will have more time for ZZZZZZs. Not getting enough shuteye will cause high blood pressure, slow your metabolism and lots of other problems and I would compensate my sleep to try to stay caught up in Reader, so now I will try to stay caught up here AND get a decent amount of sleep and it will be easier now (among the other wonderful reasons to be retired from there and yes, the cranky boss is one reason). 🙂
Yay, Linda! Congrats about being retired! Now you can enjoy your time even more (without that mentally disturbed so-called boss ruining your day)! One of the big reasons why i retired was to enjoy my time more, get more sleep, and get away from the so-called higher-ups who were there at the time. Those “bosses” were more callous, hard-hearted, and egotistical than previous superintendents. I was a teacher for the multiply handicapped and many of them had foster grandparents (who would come in from a nearby assistive-living place). One day, the higher-ups told them to leave right away (and never come back), because of money issues. But they were mostly just volunteers, and only got $2.50 and hour for what they did. The higher-ups didn’t even let them say goodby to their particular students (whom they loved). I was glad to leave around that time!
Yes, sleep is extremely important! And not being someone’s pawn (i.e., slave) is equally important. Congratulations again! I am very happy for you! 😊
Tom – first, thank you so much and I am ecstatic to be on my own schedule and free from the craziness. I can certainly see why you were glad to leave. I was burned out and bored for a long time and my boss had no intentions of retiring. He is 77 and was diagnosed with slight dementia in 2017 … he could have retired when we lost our lease, but no … work longer and die with your boots on is his wish. He was not happy I was leaving after 23 1/2 years but I told him it was my life, not his. 🙂 Thank you so much for your well wishes Tom!
Howdy. Do you think that highly together/well-adjusted people dream less than other folks? Neil S.
Good question, Neil! 😉 Yes, i think that that is likely the case. If the mind perceives — during the day — in a very wise, holistic, and understading way, then dreams (to try to establish more order in the brain at night) are largely unnecessary. But we have to be cautious with this, because certain foods, substances, or medications might trigger more dreaming.
A person may sometimes say, “My dreams were extensive last night.” However, nothing really separate possesses the dreams. The dreams — at the time they are happening — are what consciousness is.
Thanks for corresponding and feel free to continue to do so.
Of course. And I extend an invitation to you to visit my site.
I am awaiting results of a sleep study done this week
Good advice to get enough sleep, Tom. Some foods give me night terrors, not a fun thing to experience. Most nights I sleep very well. 🙂