The "I am dreaming" Mantra

[Occipitalred]

I have been thinking about the affirmation “I am dreaming” not only in the context of dreams, but also of waking life and really wanted to hear what you all had to say about this mantra and the wisdom therein. I couldn't stop myself from thinking about it myself for the past couple of weeks so here are my thoughts. I put them in a spoiler in case you want to reflect on the mantra on your own without my bias: Spoiler for My thoughts on the "I am dreaming" mantra: This affirmation seems like it contains some piece of wisdom that I personally value but I don’t think it’s the same one as in Eastern Dream Yoga. Here’s a passage from… - Wikipedia - : According to contemporary Dzogchen teachers Namkhai Norbu, Lopön Tenzin Namdak and Tenzin Wangyal, the perceived reality and the phenomenal world are considered to be ultimately "unreal"—an "illusion" (refer Mahamaya): a dream, a phantasmagoria, a thoughtform. All appearances and phenomena are a dream or thoughtform, inter- and intra- reflecting and refracting jewels and mirrors of possibility and potentiality, "arising in relationships" or "dependent co-arising". These lineages hold it and due to the realisations of the sadhana, that the dream of life and regular nightly dreams are not dissimilar, and that in their quintessential nature are non-dual. The non-essential difference between the general dreaming state and the general waking experience is that the latter is generally more concrete and linked with attachments, saṅkhāra and skandha; whereas, standard non-lucid dreaming is ephemeral and transient, and generally culturally reinforced as baseless and empty. In Dream Yoga, living may become the dream, and the dream may become the living. … the dreamer should contemplate how all phenomena both in the dream and in waking life are similar because they change, and that life is illusory in both states because of this constant change. Both the objects in the dream and objects in the world in the Buddhist worldview are therefore empty and have no substantial nature. I do find value in observing the changing and interdependent nature of all - things - … but I don’t like the conclusive insinuation: dreams = not real (because change? Because not independent?) Imagine a world where nothing is changing. Where everything is independent; nothing interacts with each other. Where perhaps perceived realities would still exist such as in our own… somehow (it would actually be impossible under our world’s natural laws)… those perceived realities would be stagnant, stuck in one state, incapable to reach out to each other in anyway. If anything, this exercise emphasizes how ridiculous it is to invalidate the reality of our world with words such as “changing” and “interdependent”, some of the characteristics that give this world “life” and “value” from our perceived reality point of view. That’s another reason I am disappointed when people think morality needs objectivity to exist. The whole point is that there are no rules. My morals are not some unchanging independent thing that exists above all else. Maybe today, in front of a dilemma of disclosing personal information to curious relations, I will find value in opening up to others, being honest, brave, and transparent. The next year in a very similar situation, maybe I will feel wiser to be private, prudent, and moderate. It’s actually the lack of “substance” that makes life fertile, ironically. So... When I think “I am dreaming” in waking life, I feel a sort of way. I feel like there’s some spiritual wisdom there but I’m not sure what it is. Surely it’s not “nothing is real.” Anyway, as I described, from my point of view “I am dreaming” could be more pragmatically translated to “there is life” (change, interaction) if those really are the main attributes of dreams. Another thought I had is that the verb “to dream” is simultaneously receptive and active because it describes a perceptual experience (similar to I am watching, I am seeing, I am listening) with the added concept that it all comes from within (it is creative). In this sense, the mantra “I am dreaming” could be a reminder of the receptive and creative aspects of our “self.” Tldr; I don’t find the “this is not real” insinuation in the “I am dreaming” mantra very pragmatic. I am thinking it might also insinuate “there is life” or “I am receptive and creative.” What are your thoughts?

[Hilary]

I think change and interdependence represents duality, and the nature of the mind to constantly seek new. Perfect equilibrium is our ultimate truth and reality, it is the divine light, the lack of ego, wholeness. But, since we live with an ego, this perfect union does not exist in our current reality. Because in Buddhism, reality is the inner light experience, that is real. Therefore, this must be not real, and we know this through the changing nature of mind, and the interdependent nature of duality [yin-yang, struggle-resolution, etc]. However, I don't think this is something bad. Life can be wonderful, and "real" only has meaning that we assign it. Does it matter if the substance of our world is an illusion? Our interactions with each other, our relationships, our love for others ... that is real. Or, as real as it gets, because it's Self [us] acknowledging Self [in others], and seeing the divine truth of oneness that is love. In Buddhist thought, we are everything. And also nothing. So yes, nothing is real, and everything is real - another feature of duality. We are the universe; we are also the black holes. I like your thoughts of the receptive and active nature of dreaming. I like the new perspective that offers.

[Occipitalred]

Perfect equilibrium. Inner light. I think those things are esthetic words. They mean something, spiritually. When I think of those words, I feel a certain peace. So to me, those things are symbols of serenity. Like, a mental lake temple, a place to find quiet and a sense of heightened state of mind. But otherwise, I don't think perfect equilibrium is an ultimate truth or reality. It would be death, wouldn't it? If the dynamic equilibrium characterized by change and interdependence came to a halt... there would be nothing left. A serene death. And I notice I often myself have thoughts that venerate the gods of death: desires to not be present in the here and now or desires for things to reach a perfect equilibrium. And I think since "death" (and I'm speaking mostly symbolically) is inherent part of our worlds objective and subjective, there's no reason to ignore or hide it. I think it's good to be aware of our inner desire for death (defined: to not be here/now, to reach an end(goal)) and to embrace it. And since I'm speaking largely symbolically here, I'll just say I'm with my tarot cards and I draw the card of death. One way I might interpret that card is to see it as an invitation to embrace that perspective. Feel that feeling of dissatisfaction with the here and now. "I don't want things to be this way, I don't want to be here." or feel the feeling of "I want to be done. I want to win life and reach the perfect equilibrium. And have peace." And then, since I interpret the card as an invitation to think this way, I can also choose to decline and consider another invitation to embrace the vibes of birth and life. Change and interconnectedness. "I am grateful for here and now" and "I'm here for the journey" When we say "I am dreaming," I feel like we're subconsciously invited to seek death: to suppress all things that change (dream dissolve) and be left with a sense of finality, of serenity and spiritual accomplishment (bright light meditation). Which is beautiful, I find. My problem is that this experience is raised at the top of the hierarchy of dream ventures. I prefer to see it not so highly elevated. Especially not above an invitation to seek life: to seek the everchanging and interconnected elements of our dreams. To witness the life that thrives in our mind. And I think especially the fact that all the elements of our dreams are interconnected however loosely to some underlying factor, that makes it all feel more tangible to me. So, I think to say "I am dreaming" both in a waking or dream state, it can help us to bring about that quiet clarity or that engaged alertness.