Expert: John Willemsens aka Advayavadananda - 1/29/2006

Question
hello.

i am a 46 year old woman, married 26 years, with two grown sons.  i was raised catholic, but even as a very young child, i questioned and struggled with the rules and conditions of catholicism.  in my early teens, i decided i had no interest in organized religion.  i considered myself agnostic, and still do.  i have however always tried to abide by my own code of conduct based on love and kindness.  until recently, i still occasionally felt confused and isolated without a tangible spiritual point of reference.  then i happened upon a wonderful book called, "awakening the buddhist heart" by lama surya das.  it has changed my life!  for the past 3 or 4 months, i've been HIGH on the undeniable truth realized by following the buddhist way.  more than ever, i now know the joy of unconditional loving and forgiving.  of giving freely without expectations.  of letting go of attachments and worry.  of karma...cause and effect of EVERYthing.  of living in the moment.  i have never been happier.  the work i do as a hospital aide blesses me every single day.

my question is this...  i have very vivid dreams almost every night, typically in the early morning hours.  often, i can relate to what they might mean.  but other times, my dreams are so unsettling and horrible, that i wake feeling very sad and frustrated.  i'm able to eventually shake them, and return again to my elevated *good* place.  but it's disheartening how unpleasant and uncomfortable my nocturnal experiences can be.  do you think in time i might be able to sleep as peacefully as i feel when i am awake?  i feel as though i am powerless over my apparantly deep rooted sub-conscious thoughts.

thank you so much for your time and input.

sincerely,

theresa

Answer
Hello Theresa,
I do not think that you should attach so much value to your dreams. Maybe it would be better that you consult your GP to ascertain whether your food and drink intake (variety, times, quantity, etc.) is correct, whether you are getting enough exercise and fresh air, and, if you are taking medication (e.g. for hipertension), whether bad dreams are not a possible side-effect.
Kind regards,
Advayavadananda.