Adapted from an old Taoist (Chinese) verse:
A Taoist monk, who had travelled extensively and spoke brilliant English, said this: Next time you awake from a dream with a Whoa! Do not dismiss it as a mere dream…
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Eric Alagan's Books
Long-time fears are also dreams..It is such a well-written poem, makes you think..
That is interesting – long held fears – and you are right. These do manifest into dreams.
Perhaps, while “real” dreams could be astral travels, recurring “dreams” and especially “nightmares” could be impressions – some sort of cerebral echo?
I am glad the poem triggered thoughts. When I write poetry, I see myself as a mischievous kid with a pebble. I toss it into the brushes, and marvel at what flaps out. And what beautiful plumes come forth from commentators such as you, Padmini. Thank you.
Peace, Eric
Very thought provoking. I remember having dreams like that before.
…and they seem very real don’t they and make us wonder…
Reality & Illusion wow this is life
I have been a little slow but I have been catching up, I love all your post, and the comments are very informative
Thank you Eric
Nice to have you back Rafa.
Do take your time – no rush.
All good wishes to a friend from a friend,
Eric 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous! You’re a master, Pak Eric! 🙂
Warm regards,
Subhan Zein
Ah, Pak Subhan,
I’m still very much a student in search of a master.
Selamat malam, Pak
I personally do not think there is any such thing as “just a dream”. The butterfly of our souls flits on and sprinkles new life and another and yet another butterfuly is born every few weeks, it would seem. Love this post so very much, Eric. I am so grateful you posted it today and that I am reading it at this particular point in time. Wonderful!
Oh Granbee,
You are so very welcome.
I agree with your comment – it is the butterfly of our soul – as you pointed out.
Luv and hugz to you,
Eric 🙂
Yes, the universe does speak if we are open to listening.
That’s it – we must remain open. Peace, Eric
This piece is like a garden, full of so many beautiful things to look at and ponder. Thank you for sharing it.
A garden…hmmm reminds me of someone who always used this phrase > a garden variety.
You are very welcome Yousei.
Peace and luv, Eric
I hope not. I’d always taken that phrase to mean something equivalent to “mundane.” No I had a Japanese garden in mind, with different places to view and meditate, each with something new to contemplate.
Reality and illusions could be intertwined or we would not experienced a feeling of deja vu but unsure if it was real. Often we ask, is the present reality or illusions. Look forward to your new book – maybe we get greater insights into this life long question.
Thank you Jasey, for stopping by with your comments.
The book is going through the final shake and rattles now!
Hello there Sunshine!!!
I am here to spread some Blog Sunshine Karma!
I nominate you for the Sunshine Award!
See
http://steponacrack.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/the-sunshine-award/
for details…
XO Jen
Congratulations Jen, on winning this award 🙂 You do bring sunshine to people. Well done indeed.
Thank you for thinking of me. I accept but it would take some time for me to get around to posting it, etc. if you don’t mind.
Wishing you a lovely week ahead,
Eric
I believe that our dreams are related to our waking world as well. A butterfly would be a nice life, they are so pretty!
Dear Christy,
Your belief is not misplaced. Dreams are so intertwined with our earthly lives – will blow people’s minds if they only knew. Look out for my next book – Fallen Grace, The Return.
Peace and luv, Eric
Great to hear about the book, Eric! Please post the information when it is available on your blog 🙂
every time i look at your banner it steals a few of my breaths! either you are an amazing painter or your taste of paintings is amazing.
Oh Sharmishtha – you are so sweet. I painted this a few years ago…not much of a painter, but something drove me to do it. Peace and luv, Eric
i sometimes fly in my dreams, i will love to have a pair of wings for a fortnight (with my present brain, way of thinking) than a lifetime of walking on earth 🙂
Dear Sharmishtha,
I am not surprised, as all of us do ‘fly’ in our dreams. This is a central theme in my forthcoming novel – Fallen Grace, The Return.
Peace, Eric
I really like this Eric. Dreams! Why don’t we listen to them more? The butterfly–does it mean you want to fly away from where you are to something new? Or does it mean you want to BE something different than you already are? Or does it symbolize the real you waiting to be discovered? The possibilities…
Beautiful possibilities, aren’t they, Jeannie?
Peace and luv, Eric
(P/s Time for bed – and the World of Reality?)
This is beautiful, Eric! I really like the wisdom of the East!
Wishing you many butterfly nights.
Ciao, Francina
Thank you Francina, I always welcome your visit and comments.
Wisdom from the East and West are from the same womb of humanity – we learn each from the other.
It is past 10.30 PM here in Singapore.
Good night, Eric
(P/s Ah, to dream of figurative butterflys)
I always wonder: what if my whole life is a dream, and one day I wake up and find that I’m another being, another specie . But I shake that thought away, I can’t bare to think that Mu husband and my baby are just a dream. Love this post Eric, thank you for passing on this philosophy and ancient wisdom.
Dear Rana,
What we have here is real, not a dream as we ordinarily understand the word ‘dream.’ But it is not an “either or” situation. There can be two or more ‘realities’. What we experience in our ‘dreams’ is shockingly more ‘real’ – I reckon.
I am glad you love this post.
Peace, Eric
A nice illustration of Eastern thinking, Eric. The Easterners never managed to sort out the riddle of human consciousness, did they? On the other hand, the Hebrews and the Greeks did arrive at an answer – after much debate.
It is interesting to reflect : when we are awake, we have fragmented memories of the dream : on the other hand, when we are dreaming, we have fragmented memories of our wakeful lives. Perhaps both are real. Perhaps we have two full lives running in parallel.
Hello Jamie,
Actually the ‘Easterners’ are quite definitive in their knowledge about human consciousness. This Taoist saying is a mere teaser to hidden truths.
The Hebrews and Greeks have found their own paths – but they don’t have an exclusive on this – and all paths hewn by them and the ‘Easterners’ lead to the same destination.
Both are real – the corporeal and the ethereal – in ways that will blow people’s minds…I dwell in depth about these in my forthcoming book – Fallen Grace, The Return.
Peace, Eric
What we are we sometime we don’t deserve it, what we aren’t we dream to be it! Very nice!
Thank you Vikram, for visiting and contributing your comment. Much appreciate this, Eric
One day I realized the nursery rhyme “Row, row, row, you boat …” was a Zen saying – Life is but a dream …
Really? That was Zen…I didn’t know. Thank you Peter 🙂
In a sense it is. I know nothing of its origins …
Superb, Eric!!! God bless & love always…
Anil
Dear Anil,
You are always kind with your comments.
God’s blessings and luv to you and family,
Eric
Eric I really enjoy delving into the wisdom of the ancient sages, and there is much to glean from in China history. More of these please.
Hello Ian,
Yes, the ancient Chinese, like the Greeks, Egyptians, Indians and other peoples have taught us much. When I uncover anymore, I shall certainly share it.
Hope the weekend is proceeding as well for you as it is for me.
All good wishes,
Eric
Yes we have had a good weekend. Looking forward to more of your literary gems