Life is but a dream

[mysterygal]

When speaking about fear transcendence, Steve tells us to consider life as a dream. He tells us that all the seperate entities we perceive in this reality are all just part of your own consciousness. In terms of public speaking, I think that people fear rejection the most. They are afraid that other people will make a judgement about them. Whether the dream theory is right or not, people (humans) are still capable of making judgements. Therefore, thinking of the situation as a dream won't help, because it doesn't stop people from thinking and people are still capable of rejecting you. So, in a sense thinking of life as a dream wouldn't change anything. Any ideas from you guys would be awesome!

[Excellent Lodestar]

Originally Posted by mysterygal

Steve tells us to consider life as a dream. He tells us that all the seperate entities we perceive in this reality are all just part of your own consciousness. In terms of public speaking, I think that people fear rejection the most. They are afraid that other people will make a judgement about them. Whether the dream theory is right or not, people (humans) are still capable of making judgements.

If You have the viewpoint that life is really a dream, that is, YOUR dream( Who elses could it be?) then nothing in your dream could ever really harm you,reject you,etc. It's completely made up; a creation of your consciousness. So the logic is how can a "mirage" Judge me? And even if in my "dream" one of them said "your speech sucked" I would only be thinking "why did I write THAT into the script?" That shift in perception has been a wild ride for me the last couple of months; it changes everything

[DarkSociologist]

Row, row, row your boat.....

Anyways, Mysterygal, I think you're right about the whole public speaking thing and people being judged. When we speak in public we expose ourselves. We are no longer simply a face in the crowd, but we become revealed for who we are to others.

This mentality actually seems to be the reverse of the dream mentality. You say that a person's fear of public speaking is that he/she will be judged. In other words, you do not exist in the mind of the other person. When you speak in public, you actually enter the reality of the other person and they can form a perception of you. You were not real before in their mind, but now you enter their consciousness.

Thinking of your life as a dream is a bit egoist because you are essentially saying that your reality is the only true reality and consequently the only one that really matters. I prefer to think of life as a game, where each individual player interacts with the other players. The consequences of my actions have an impact on others and not just myself. The converse is true for the other players.

[SecretSeven]

"then nothing in your dream could ever really harm you,reject you,etc."

But people aren't just dream figures, they can think, feel and make judgments. So they could infact reject you.

[alpineboarder]

Thoughts, beliefs, and knowings shape your dreams. Thoughts, beliefs, and knowings shape your reality. Everything thing that was ever created was first a dream of what could be before it was conceived, including you . Think of dreams as the previews before a feature film, and "reality" as the film itself. They are both images flashing on a giant screen at 24 frames per second, but we decide to call them different names, the same goes for dreaming and real life. It's when you pull yourself out of the box and look at something for what it is from a higher perspective, that it looses it's separateness. If you never contemplate, think about, or dream these "judging" entities, and pay zero attention to them do they ever enter your so-called reality??

The easiest concept for people to accept in creating our reality is that we subjectively choose (via free-will) alternate, objectively-based, (perceivably uncontrollable) realities. All of these objective realities are as real as real can be and do in fact exist, but theres more than one of them. Others can either judge you well on your speech, or harshly on your speech, both of those realities are there for the taking. But the only question is which interaction do you feel like experiencing? We all forget that we have that choice, or simply choose not to have it . If somebody else consciously or unconsciously feels like having the experience of you giving a horrible speech, then they can have that. But you don't necessarily have to be there! If you want to put on the performance of a lifetime and be given a standing ovation, what you'll be experiencing is one of the infinite possible choices that outwardly crowd could have.

So if it troubles you to think that others are going to judge you regardless of how you feel about it, then the first step is to A) realize that it's troubling you, because thats your true self trying to reach out to you, and then B) change your thinking! You're simply choosing a possible option in your reality where you are limited to other people's choices and not your own. And there is nothing wrong with either, but if it's making you feel distressed enough to announce it publicly, that's your subconscious telling you something

On the other side of that coin, if you feel content with your new found discovery/choice in your reality, then congratulations you've got the hang of this and didn't even know it!

[SecretSeven]

Could you explain this a bit more? It sounds intruiging



"Thoughts, beliefs, and knowings shape your dreams. Thoughts, beliefs, and knowings shape your reality. Everything thing that was ever created was first a dream of what could be before it was conceived, including you . Think of dreams as the previews before a feature film, and "reality" as the film itself. They are both images flashing on a giant screen at 24 frames per second, but we decide to call them different names, the same goes for dreaming and real life.

[CamC]

So when Steve says Life is a Dream, does he mean it in REAL sense, or a metaphorical (it's a good way to look at things) sense?

[alpineboarder]

So when Steve says Life is a Dream, does he mean it in REAL sense, or a metaphorical (it's a good way to look at things) sense?

Steve, himself, could mean it in any context that we as the reader choose. So what the individual thinks of what his/her own "real" sense is becomes more important. How limited would we be in our thinking if we let someone else do it for us?? Is real what you can see, touch, or hear? Because dreams are capable of all of that. Is it a memory? Well we all have the ability to remember our dreams, so are they not real? Not many people take the time to sit down and contemplate the definitions or limits they have put on all these thrown around terms over the courses of their lifetimes. What's the difference between real and a metaphor?? Even the word 'apple' is a metaphor, the very word itself doesn't manifest the realness of what is an apple. It's actually just a simple human-made sound of consonants and vowels. Words themselves are poetry of the truest kind of a metaphor, the kind that only the mind itself can decode and in which all definitions of what an apple becomes takes place. (So was your preferred realness attached to the fruit or the computer? )

So now let us for contemplation's sake put our current beliefs to the test and say that life is indeed but a dream. When we sleep our dreams are a manifestation of our thoughts and emotions, everyone knows that, psychology 101. And according to the Law of Attraction (like attracts like), our waking life is also the sum product of our thoughts and feelings. So then now what is real? What would fit into our old metaphor of the word 'real'?

Most of us would find that our definition of real was limited in it's thought, and couldn't logically handle the vast idea we've placed before it. Now at this point the ego's of many may say to themselves, "Sorry, I'm not willing to give up my old beliefs, I must maintain my apparent identity to survive; this stops here." And they continue on with their blind walk into the familiar. But those who are comfortable enough in themselves will take the leap in the form of a very bold statement and say: Everything we think real is would in fact be... an illusion (just like in our dreams). And so they have to change their metaphor to a more unlimited way of thinking to hold such a starry-eyed question.

So then once we come to the realization that all we've known is an illusion, what then fits into our open slot of what real is? Think for a moment. If all of what you've known to be real suddenly becomes fake, what then, is real? The answer is that now everything is real! Because now there is nothing left to be categorized and divided into 'fake' and 'not fake'. It all just is as it was, and it is all as real as real can be. Now isn't that a wonderful way to stretch your mind? We're now opening doors inside ourselves we never even knew we had .

Before what we call the light bulb was a light bulb it was just a dream in one man's mind. Before we found certain groups of people free of slavery it was but a dream. Whatever thoughts we hold in our minds, be we judge them as positive or negative, they will always manifest the visions we put in place. Perhaps the results show more slowly in our awake times than in our sleeping times, but could that be because it's what we think to believe and know? Whether you truly believe in it or not, either way you are always correct because that is what this termed Law of Attraction states. The evidence is everywhere if your conscious of it, the teachings are everywhere if your mindful to them. But the most intriguing part to remember is the possibility that perhaps it could be you that is putting them there, because if that's what you believe... then you are right

[SecretSeven]

Awesome post Alpine boarder!

The thought that life is just a dream seems so appealing lol. Even if it isn't true. The idea that all of the world's suffering is simply an illusion is pretty awesome. But the truth is that 6 billion conscious people exist on this planet, and their suffering is real. So, is life really a dream?

If everyone is real, if the pain and happiness they feel is real, if there experiences are real...then what is left to call it a dream? What about this life makes it valid to call it a dream?

[alpineboarder]

The thought that life is just a dream seems so appealing lol. Even if it isn't true. The idea that all of the world's suffering is simply an illusion is pretty awesome. But the truth is that 6 billion conscious people exist on this planet, and their suffering is real. So, is life really a dream?

Have you ever experienced anyone's consciousness but your own? So then how do you know they even have one? We already have a view of everything in this world, so they do have a consciousness, but it is your own. That's why so many teachings talk about us all being one. If the idea that suffering is an illusion and can be changed makes you feel great and hopeful, then why not keep those feelings of positive emotion to manifest a change in the world around you?? It is yours after all.

If everyone is real, if the pain and happiness they feel is real, if there experiences are real...then what is left to call it a dream? What about this life makes it valid to call it a dream?

They are all real, that is certain, but only conscious from your perspective. Just because they could possibly be a dream is no reason to denounce them as fake. When you are dreaming do you accuse those entities who star in it to be fake? No, because they play a crucial role in the unfolding of your wonderful stories. But you very well could, and that would be one interesting story . Only you can make it valid, as a divine being you can express and enjoy yourself in this world any way you wish. Like to explore the experience and feelings of life as a dream? Do that. There are no right or wrong answers, just choices. And do only what feels right, because what we are feeling inside has more of an effect on this 'outside' world than most could even imagine.

[SecretSeven]

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[mysterygal]

Alpine, thanks again for the wonderful response

You asked: "Have you ever experienced anyone's consciousness but your own? So then how do you know they even have one?"

Ofcourse I can't say for certain if they have one, but it seems pretty clear that they do. Atleast that's what we've been taught...Some people have asked me to prove that people have consciousness. I don't think I could ever do that, unless ofcourse I experienced it first hand. But you for example are pretty solid proof that people have consciousness. You're a thinking, feeling person who has responded to my post. I may not be able to proove that you are conscious, but you can, because you are having the experience of your consciousness.

You said: "They are all real, that is certain, but only conscious from your perspective." .... what did you mean by that?

You also said: "then why not keep those feelings of positive emotion to manifest a change in the world around you?? It is yours after all."

But isn't the world all of ours?


Thanks again,

mysterygal/Secretseven

[alpineboarder]

I'm always glad to meet someone with many questions, it helps everyone grow, including myself

Ofcourse I can't say for certain if they have one, but it seems pretty clear that they do. Atleast that's what we've been taught...Some people have asked me to prove that people have consciousness. I don't think I could ever do that, unless ofcourse I experienced it first hand.

Bingo. None of us can, you can only prove your own consciousness to you and only you. But now lets say you were able to consciously jump out of your body and into the experience of another person, and then back again. Would it prove to you that other person actually had a consciousness, or would it just prove that you can move your own?

But you for example are pretty solid proof that people have consciousness. You're a thinking, feeling person who has responded to my post. I may not be able to prove that you are conscious, but you can, because you are having the experience of your consciousness.

Sure I can prove my consciousness, just like you can. But to who? Just to ourselves. There is only one dream. You could become me and live my entire life and have all my experiences while remembering you were once yourself, but that's still part of the same dream, just with different rules you've created for yourself. You don't think it's possible that somehow in your soul's search for knowledge and answers you created some joe shmoe by the name of alpineboarder on Steve Pavlina's blog forums to converse with? And I in my desire to find out what it's like to spread knowledge created you to help me?

You have created a mirror so that my understanding of my own consciousness is the same as yours, and because I am a mirror I have to do the same thing you do, so I've also created one. Otherwise how could I teach you if didn't understand what it's like to have a consciousness? We would never grow. To expand ourselves and then enjoy our new found experiences, that is the only reason we live. We will always want to break our limits of thought, and if we look at life as a dream, where then are the limits? We're going to have to go there in order to find the next set of limits to overcome. It sounds repetitive but it must be fun otherwise we would of stopped a long time ago

You said: "They are all real, that is certain, but only conscious from your perspective." .... what did you mean by that?

They are only as real as you are conscious of them. Their consciousness exists in the form of your perspective of them.

You also said: "then why not keep those feelings of positive emotion to manifest a change in the world around you?? It is yours after all."

But isn't the world all of ours?

Yes, it is. But who is "all of us" if that "all of us" is you

It might seem selfish from an ignorant perspective, but by dreaming others into existence, it enables them to have their own dreams and branch off into whatever they so desire, it is the illusion that their dream effects yours is what causes us suffering and the feeling of being controlled by outside forces. You don't have to enter other's dreams if you do not desire. But then again, are you really entering their dreams or are you just dreaming that you are. So one could say that as of right now, we are all sharing the same dream.

Now excuse me while I go take a tylenol, haha. :P

The whole bottom line we find is really to just enjoy your life, it's really always that simple when we look back on it, because when we do we will attract and create others that enjoy theirs just as much. Lovingly create whatever you wish to experience, know that it's coming from your heart, and know that you are the only person holding yourself back from anything. If the ultimate form of love is giving freedom to someone, then why not give it to yourself. As it's been said, no one is going to love if you don't first love yourself. I highly suggest reading some Esther Hicks books on manifesting intentions if you haven't already. Well anyway I hope that was of some help to ya

[SecretSeven]

Lately I've been wondering about LOA, and intention manifestation. I wonder how much of your world you can affect. Do you have only have the ability to affect your immediate reality, or others as well?

[alpineboarder]

That's a concept I've been wrestling with over the past few months... and the conclusion I've come to thus far is this:

It's been said in many great teachings and especially in quantum physics that all possibilities exist side by side simontaneously. So that means, out there exists both a reality where you've chose option A as opposed to option B, and vice versa.

Now if someone else prior to your decision put out their own intentions for you to choose option B, there's already a reality in which you have. So they wouldn't necessarily be forcing you to choose one thing or another, because you've already chosen both. Make sense? They are simply choosing the reality in which they desire to experience, as are you. So no one is ever really being controlled by another. The only time we think we are is when we choose to be, and even then we're only controlling ourselves. It's one of those big paradoxes you're gonna start running into a lot of . The deeper you go, the more pliable logic gets to the point where you have no use for it, and when it begins to fade like that we start to call it things like coincidences, and miracles, or even cooler words -- like magic

[SecretSeven]

that makes a lot of sense....I've also been thinking about that possiblity.

I went to this website: http://users.aristotle.net/~diogenes/begin.htm

....and ever since then I haven't been able to stop thinking about the meaning of life, and whether life is a dream.....it's like stuck in my mind and won't leave lol.

Don't know if I've asked you this already, but what do you think about the dream argument, do you think it's plausible?

[alpineboarder]

I believe that life is truly meant to be unlimited in all aspects... and since our definitions of dreams consist of unlimited possibilities, calling life a dream is quite the compliment. In a dream, anything can be true so you see there are no longer arguments, just people that think they've got one.

I think it is a very plausible notion considering that once we agree it is, suddenly everything else ever thought up also becomes plausible. By saying 'yes' to the dream, you say 'yes' to everyone else's ideas. The one's who disagree don't realize that, they need something else to be a 'no' to make them feel like they've got a 'yes'.