When dreams disturb us: Finding peace through faith
Dreams are a familiar yet mysterious part of human experience. They are commonly defined as a series of thoughts, images, and sensations that arise in the mind during sleep. Unlike daydreams — which are conscious fantasies born of desire — dreams occur involuntarily and often feel vivid and real. Although dreams can appear at any stage of sleep, the most intense and memorable ones usually occur during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, when brain activity is high and the eyes move rapidly beneath closed lids.
Dreams tend to become more frequent and intense during periods of stress, anxiety, or emotional disturbance. Unfulfilled desires and unresolved concerns that dominate our waking thoughts often surface in our dreams. Broadly, dreams can be divided into pleasant and unpleasant ones. Pleasant dreams are rarely remembered because they do not disturb the mind; they leave behind a fleeting sense of comfort or joy. Unpleasant or frightening dreams, however, linger in memory because they disrupt sleep and leave a residue of fear or unease. At times, one may wake up deeply unsettled. Children, too, often experience such dreams, and this has sometimes been cited — rightly or wrongly — to explain claims of memories from past lives, as young children have limited experiences in their present one. What, then, do dreams signify?
From personal experience, dreams often reflect one’s inner state. When I am troubled, I tend to dream of being far from home, desperately trying to return but unable to find the way. At other times, I dream of inadequacy — such as appearing for an examination without sufficient preparation. These dreams surface when I am confronted with a problem for which I cannot find a solution. In contrast, my pleasant dreams usually place me in good company or in a temple. The surroundings and people feel partly familiar, though often unknown.
This brings us to the crucial question: how should one deal with truly disturbing dreams? Occasionally, such dreams may seem like ominous warnings of something undesirable. While this possibility is rare and difficult to verify, the presence of familiar people or situations can lend such dreams an air of authenticity.
If we momentarily accept that a dream might indicate some future adversity, the question remains: what can we do about it? The most logical and comforting response is to take refuge in God. It is God alone who has the power to grant relief from the karmaphala - the fruits of past actions. True devotees do not live in fear; they are confident that divine grace will carry them through all difficulties. Rather than being shaken by bad dreams, they take them as reminders to deepen their surrender. After all, dreams themselves do not cause misfortune; it is past actions that bear fruit, and liberation from their adverse effects lies in divine grace. As Lord Krishna assures in the Bhagavad Gita: “Having taken refuge in Me, you shall, by My grace, overcome all obstacles” (18.58).
In conclusion, bad dreams should serve as a wake-up call — not to panic, but to strengthen one’s spiritual shelter. Every individual has committed some errors in the past. By sincerely taking refuge in God, the future becomes secure, and the burden of past misdeeds is gently and compassionately lifted.
The writer is a spiritual teacher; views are personal
