The Dream of Reality

“Enlightenment begins with disillusionment.” ~ Crewmax


Someone once asked me how I can tell the difference between reality and fantasy. What if – this person asked – what we perceive as “reality” is indeed a dream, something made out by our subconscious, and we aren’t really living it after all but only believing we are?

That question got me thinking. Indeed, is it possible that we aren’t living at all, and we are just dreaming our lives? Could we be caught in a very sophisticated dream state science hasn’t been able to identify yet, a state of the art virtual life our spirit is “living” to understand certain concepts? After all, dreams are a tool our minds use to organize thoughts.

Of course, this would be a discussion which could go off in many different tangents, but one of the things that are interesting to ponder is what we perceive as reality and what we perceive as illusion. Since early childhood, we are taught that ‘real” things must be measured through the five senses, and nothing which can’t be confirmed in a controlled environment should be considered real. Nothing is further from the truth. Physical attraction, for example, can be analyzed through physical signs, but true love can’t; connecting hands can be seen by others, but spiritual or emotional connection – although just as real and powerful as holding hands with someone – cannot be fully proven.

Very often, what we perceive as real through our taught patterns of rational thinking is in fact just something we have learned in our environment; if we were raised by different people, in a different society, or with different values, we would likely rationalize events differently. In the western world especially, we have come to associate our identity with what we have. The more we physically “own” – beauty, financial affluence, friends – the better we feel about ourselves. We perceive the golden ones as having everything they desire because they deserve it; if we don’t have those things, then we aren’t worth our own self-love or the love of others.

Having is not as important as being. Each of us is a unique aspect of creation, and as such we are indispensable, regardless of what we have or don’t have. Jesus himself had nothing, yet His passage on earth is still touching people two thousand years later. By the time we leave this earthly plane, what will count will be whatever we have done for others, not what we have done for ourselves. We can’t aspire to elevate our souls until we are able to detach from the rational illusion of being what we have.

We can certainly joke around and say we are living a dream, but unfortunately, for many, the dream is a nightmare; at least until they awaken, and realize that reality can only be found at the core and Armani isn’t the one who designed it.

A Path to Neverland

“Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.” ~ Author unknown


Yesterday I went with my daughter to watch the Disney on Ice show. As expected, it was quite amazing – the music, the lights, the special effects and costumes validated, once again, the quality of entertainment Disney is able to deliver.

It was pure delight to watch my daughter’s face light up when the first handful of characters came out, but what truly amazed me was the fact that just a few minutes into the show I was swept away and carried into a land of dreams.

As an adult, it is hard to explain that feeling. Watching the old familiar characters parade on the ice, and being suddenly transported back to a time in my life when worries and obligations didn’t exist and everything was magical, allowed me to tap into a place in my heart most adults don’t visit too often.

Just a few days ago I was listening to a song by Supertramp on the radio, The Logical Song, in which the author speaks of a time in his life when everything was magical and he was in tune with beauty and creation; after he was sent away to school and he was taught to direct his thinking to satisfy the demands of society, he lost touch with his inner child; the beauty around him was gone, taking away with it his sense of self.

Certainly, to survive within the folds of society we are required to refine some of our thinking and skills, but we should never completely lose touch with the part of ourselves which connects to a simpler world, a peaceful land where everything is possible.

Unguarded emotions can be dangerous and can quickly lead to dangerous depths if one is not cautious of their overwhelming power, but even when following a rigorous regime of self-discipline, one should still hold on to the invisible cord connecting us to our inner child and to the possibility that dreams can be turned into reality if enough passion, effort and dedication are poured into them. As Gail Devers once said, "All dreams are possible for those who believe."

When we stop dreaming, we forget who we truly are. Simple pleasures are the precious stones bejeweling the path to personal bliss. By following their dazzling light we might, in the end, find the path to Neverland.

The Driver Behind the Wheel

We often associate cars with the people who drive them. On occasion, we assume we can judge the lifestyle of someone just by the type, or condition, of car they own. In fact, the majority of people who want nicer cars don’t want the cars because they offer more comfort, but choose them because of their value as a status symbol.

Associating a car to a driver is the same as associating our body with who we really are. Our body is but a vehicle our soul uses to exist on this plane, no more, no less. The type of body we have, the physical dents, scratches, and occasional mechanical failures do not reflect on the silent self who dwells quietly within the confines of the vehicle. Although we are responsible for regular maintenance and general care, we cannot prevent certain “accidents”.

The driver is still the same person, whether the car runs smooth as oil, or sputters like a buffalo with asthma; whether it is a shiny Mercedez or a faded Oldsmobile. What counts is that the driver realizes the car is simply an object, a mean of transportation from point A to point B; regardless of how beat-up or how unfashionable it is, it is a bundle of metal and glass which has only one real mission: that of allowing the driver to move and function within the environment he lives in. If someone dents one of the doors or scratches the paint, they have not scratched or dented the driver.

Understanding this concept is essential in our assessment of all that affects us. If we take an honest look, most events, people and “life storms” only affect our body, or the very same feelings that are born of it. Most often, that which is crushed in a confrontation is our ego. Sensations born from our ego, such as pride, vulnerability, fear and pain, are not related to our spirit. Our spirit cannot be injured, broken or killed, as it is birthless and deathless; it lives quietly within the folds of our heart, observes everything, and records each experience.

Remembering this simple analogy can help us when dealing with a painful ordeal, and can help guide us toward making sound decisions. When we stop at a dangerous intersection, it would be foolish to allow our car to decide which way to turn. We, the driver, must assess the best path to reach our destination safely. We can do that by listening to ourselves, being careful to note that the guidance is coming from a place of unconditional love rather than from one ruled by our ego. And if our headlights shine clean and bright, we might even be able to guide another soul who’s lost in the darkness of the night.