Topic: Dreams
no photo
Mon 12/29/08 08:21 PM
The great Taoist master Chuang Tzu once dreamt that he was a butterfly fluttering here and there. In the dream he had no awareness of his individuality as a person. He was only a butterfly. Suddenly, he awoke and found himself laying there, a person once again. But then he thought to himself, "Was I before a man who dreamt about being a butterfly, or am I now a butterfly who dreams about being a man?"

What is the lesson of this story or what are your reactions to this tale?

no photo
Mon 12/29/08 10:11 PM
Since no one answered thus far I will share some answers various students gave as they thought deeply about the story.

"I can identify with this story. Many times I have awakened from a dream and didn't know, for a moment, what was real and what was the dream."

"Dreams are weird. Are they trying to tell us something. If so, how are we to know what they mean?"

"You are who you perceive yourself to be."

"I've sometimes dreamed that I could fly. It's such a wonderful, free feeling. It seemed so real."

"This Zen master had an out-of-body experience, and now isn't sure about his identity."

"When you're a butterfly, there are no worries. You can flutter around without a care in the world. Perhaps this monk is wishing there were not so many responsibilities and barriers in his life."

"I think this Zen master wants some peace and quiet in his life. He wishes he were a normal person and not a Zen master with so many demands put on him by others."

"I think it's important for us to have dreams, but always remember that reality is much more important."

"Sounds like this guy conforms to what others think of him and allows them to govern his life."

"In my opinion, this is the kind of question asked by people who are struggling with their sense of individuality and self esteem."

"Only you know who you are - and sometimes it takes some soul-searching to find that identity."

"We should be content with who we are. If we try to be someone or something else, we will lose our sense of identity."

Milesoftheusa's photo
Mon 12/29/08 10:25 PM

The great Taoist master Chuang Tzu once dreamt that he was a butterfly fluttering here and there. In the dream he had no awareness of his individuality as a person. He was only a butterfly. Suddenly, he awoke and found himself laying there, a person once again. But then he thought to himself, "Was I before a man who dreamt about being a butterfly, or am I now a butterfly who dreams about being a man?"

What is the lesson of this story or what are your reactions to this tale?


I think he is relaying to us about individuality.

We want as an individual.

But as a butterfly all worries left him and he was at one with nature and man. True Utopia.. Blessings..Miles

Moondark's photo
Mon 12/29/08 10:28 PM
Where does one reality begin and another end? Because, what if in reality, you are both the man and the butterfly?

Quikstepper's photo
Fri 01/02/09 07:57 AM
Edited by Quikstepper on Fri 01/02/09 08:02 AM
Spare a little candle,
save some light for me.
Figures Up ahead
moving in the trees.
White skin in linen,
Perfume on my wrist,
and the full moon that hangs
over These dreams in the mist.

Darkness on the edge,
Shadows where I stand
I search for the time
on a watch with no hands,
I want to see you clearly,
Come closer to this
come closer to this
But all I remember
are the dreams in the mist



CHORUS
These dreams go on
when I close my eyes.
Every second Of the night,
I live another life.
These dreams that Sleep
when it's cold outside,
every moment I'm awake,
The further I'm away.

Is it cloak and dagger,
could it be Spring or Fall?
I Walk without a cut
through a stained-glass wall.
Weaker in my eyesight,
a candle in my grip,
and words That have no form
are falling from my lips.

CHORUS
These dreams go on
when I close my eyes.
Every second Of the night,
I live another life.
These dreams that Sleep
when it's cold outside,
every moment I'm awake,
The further I'm away.

BRIDGE
There's something out there I can't resist.
I need to Hide away from the pain.
There's something out there I can't resist.

The sweetest song is silence
that I've ever heard.
Funny how your feet in dreams
never touch the Earth.
In a wood full of princes,
freedom is a kiss.
But the Prince hides his face
from dreams in the mist.

CHORUS
These dreams go on
when I close my eyes.
Every second Of the night,
I live another life.
These dreams that Sleep
when it's cold outside,
every moment I'm awake,
The further I'm away.

CHORUS
These dreams go on
when I close my eyes.
Every second Of the night,
I live another life.
These dreams that Sleep
when it's cold outside,
every moment I'm awake,
The further I'm away.

no photo
Fri 01/02/09 08:12 AM
very nice Quickstepperdrinker

Quikstepper's photo
Mon 01/05/09 05:16 PM
For you smiles... ENJOY! :smile:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7LLaeRUsWr0

Quikstepper's photo
Mon 01/05/09 05:30 PM
Here yu go...Dreamboat Annie...


Heading out this morning into the sun
Riding on the diamond waves, little darlin’ one

Warm wind caress her
Her lover it seems
Oh, annie
Dreamboat annie my little ship of dreams

Going down the city sidewalk alone in the crowd
No one knows the lonely one whose head’s in the clouds

Sad faces painted over with those magazine smiles
Heading out to somewhere won’t be back for a while


http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb8z5szjnO8


davidben1's photo
Mon 01/05/09 06:40 PM
the butterfly come forth from out of each being, when the mind the caterpiller, throw it's bias aside, and find nothing can love, what it think has evil inside...........