This year during class, we were reminded that dream-time is important. As creative people, we need to have the time to be quiet and soak inside of dream-time, where the human consciousness can connect to the other layers of consciousness: subconsciousness, unconsciousness and then the greater vertical realm of the creativity, the imagination, the mythological, the prophetic, the spiritual, the collective human unconsciousness, and onwards. Dream-time is important.

Few nights ago, I received not for the first time, something practical and real straight out of my dreams. This profound phrase came to me (someone – likely God – said to me) in a dream: “No matter what happens or what we go through, there is always a miracle waiting for us. The miracle is you.” I teared up even in my sleep. Then again when I woke up.

It has profound meaning to me. This is deeply tied to my personal philosophies, about the need to search for core of the individual being, and clear away the dust and trash and ropes that tie us down and obscure our vision. This core, is almost entirely comprised of the mind. I will likely post up more of my philosophical documents at a later day. But everything originates from the mind, including emotions because emotions are reactions and byproducts from an innate instinctive intuitive reasoning that is largely subconscious. The idea is that we must be in control of the mind, train and sharpen our mind, and in turn we can handle everything in life.

No matter what happens, no matter what trials or pains we go through, with a strong mind, it is possible to overcome it all. In another way to look at it, don’t let emotions overwhelm and control you, don’t let the external forces and situations around us, or people around you defeat you. At the end of the day, you are you. The miracle, is you. You who miraculously were born into the world. You who lives in this world. You who is uniquely shaped, even in your doubts and your insecurities, even if you DON’T KNOW who you are, THAT in itself is YOU, what makes you, you. We all are searching for answers in life, there is no end to it, there is no definite answer. One who finds their calling now, may change their perspective later down the road. There is no answer. Life at this point maybe in a valley, maybe an enormous lengthy valley but the terrain will change. That’s why this is life and it is a journey and the miracle is you. The you who never stays in one place in one spot as one identity, the ever changing growth, the you who cries and laughs, the you who is hurt or is loving. The you, who at the end of the day, made it through it all. At the end of the day, the you who stands in victory because YOU have conquered life. THAT is the miracle. Don’t be asking for miracles, don’t be searching for miracles, don’t be waiting for miracles to happen. The miracle is YOU.

After I received that message, I knew I had to share it with the world. It was a prophetic truth that I needed to encourage others with. I pray that you all be inspired and be strong in life.

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It wasn’t the first time I had received something concrete like that. For example, I had received lyrics and melodies out of a dream, and a detailed vivid fantasy story concept which I began to write. They weren’t finished things, but it was still miraculous to receive it. Perhaps I’ve always had some talent related to the creative, imaginative dream realm. I’ve never really had nightmares before, as I have a knack of transforming it into a lucid dream where I swiftly gain the upperhand. Maybe this is what I consider a result of mental/mind training. But recently, ever since I started writing Espresso Love, and diving deeper and deeper into my maturing mind, literature, philosophies and psychology, the greater human collective, the system and society around, I suddenly began to remember my dreams every night. It seems like I’ve tapped into something. Something I don’t quite understand yet. Like opening the gate in my mind. Last night I had two dreams I remembered. It is all quite interesting and exciting.

So I had to research about Dream Recall because it’s happening every night for many months. I seem to be receiving a lot of messages, things with a sense of realism and truth. I consider it a good thing but I’m concerned what this means about sleep quality. It doesn’t seem like it has correlation though, there’s contradicting studies.

“Among sleep specialists, there’s no consensus as to why some people remember more dreams than others.
…In general, people remember more dreams when they’re younger, probably since they sleep much more deeply [3]. And women usually have higher dream recall than men, possibly because they’re more sensitive to their own thoughts and feelings. Studies also help explain why Alice took a virtual trip down the rabbit hole — people who are creative, open to new experiences, and prone to fantasizing tend to have the highest rates of dream recall.
…But perhaps surprisingly, there isn’t much evidence of a relationship between dreams, dream recall, and sleep quality.
…There is some research suggesting we remember more dreams when we sleep longer, simply because there’s more time to dream [4]. During sleep, people dream about every hour and a half (as the brain cycles in and out of REM sleep), and each dream period gets progressively longer. So more snooze-time means more opportunity for memorable dreams.
…On the other hand, sometimes people who don’t sleep well remember more dreams than others because they wake up so often during the night.
…But Dr. Ross Levin, a psychologist who treats problems related to sleep and dreaming from his private practice in New York City, told me his patients typically start remembering more dreams once they recover from sleep disorders.
…Perhaps the most important factor in whether we remember our dreams is having some motivation to remember them
…“Dream recall is not something the brain was necessarily designed to do,” he said. The brain is in two very different states when we sleep and when we’re awake. While the waking brain is set up to remember details (except, perhaps, our best friend’s birthday), the sleeping brain is not.” – http://greatist.com/happiness/what-dreams-say-about-your-sleep

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WHY SHOULD YOU REMEMBER YOUR DREAMS?

1. Your dreaming mind has access to vital information that is not readily available to you when you are awake. Your dreams serve as a window to your subconscious and reveal your secret desires and feelings.

2. In remembering your dreams, you gain increased knowledge, self-awareness and self-healing. Dreams are an extension of how you perceive yourself. They may be a source of inspiration, wisdom, joy, imagination and overall improved psychological health.

3. Learning to recall your dreams help you become a more assertive, confident and stronger person. By remembering your dreams, you are expressing and confronting your feelings.

4. Dreams help guide you through difficult decisions, relationship issues, health concerns, career questions or any life struggle you may be experiencing.

5. Remembering your dreams help you come to terms with stressful aspects of your lives.

6. You will learn more about yourself, your aspirations, and your desires through your dreams.

– http://www.dreammoods.com/dreaminformation/recallingdreams.htm

 

I’d also add that dreaming also opens the mind’s gate towards the realm I had first talked about in the beginning. This means it is open to inspiration, creative or otherwise, insight and prophecy from an external source like the collective unconsciousness and faith. It also is dangerous, in case there is something negative that comes in, which is why it is necessary to be well trained in the mind to block out darker influences.

 

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Okay aside from all that, I’m in a very creative mode for Espresso Love and lately, words are flowing. However, I’ve realized I still have half of the novel to go. This means double the word count. Which is not good news at all. I’m at 80,000 words already; I am predicting at least another 60,000 which puts it at 140,000 words or more. This is beyond the standard for debut or otherwise novels. My goal had always been around 100,000, so it looks like I have severe editing and cutting needed. I would likely need a professional to help. I have always disliked the editing process, so I had been hoping to adhere to a goal and get it as right as I can the first time. But this isn’t looking very good.

Nevertheless, stay tuned and look forward to the completing of the novel, because it will be one epic (and confusing) ride. Please read and I hope that it will give you insight in different and perhaps strange ways. The climax will approach in another maybe 50,000 words… > < lol!

Secondhand Memories is getting published once again, and is going the process with an editor right now.