Follow Your Dreams
Don't follow your dreams, follow reality
In a world that echoes the mantra of “follow your dreams,” it’s intriguing how seldom we hear about following reality. The cultural narrative places a strong emphasis on aspiring for the extraordinary, often at the expense of overlooking the infinite. Why do people seem to prefer living in a dream world, seemingly disinterested in the tangible aspects of reality? Let’s delve into this paradox.
Dreams: An Exaggerated Projection of the Past and Present
The concept of dreams is inherently tied to the human psyche’s tendency to craft an idealized version of reality. Unsatisfied with everyday life, individuals often draw from their past experiences, amplifying certain aspects and projecting an idealized future. This perpetual cycle of idealization leads to the creation of dreams, which, by definition, don’t exist in the tangible realm. Hence the mantra of follow your dreams.
Row Your Boat, Life Is But A Dream
Paradoxically, the term “reality” itself may be subject to scrutiny when we observe its nature. Tell me, how do we perceive the world around us? Light interacts with objects, creates images on our retinas, and our brains interpret these signals as thoughts and experiences. In essence, our reality is a construct of our minds—an illusion, referred to as “maya” in certain philosophical traditions.
The famous line, “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream,” encapsulates the idea that the world is, a dream. It challenges us to rethink the boundaries between dreams and reality, suggesting that both may be intertwined. So you do follow your dreams, but never get to see reality. We are so engrossed with dreams, that we lost touch with reality! (Read more about real growth)
The Trap of Boundaries in the Dream World
Enhancing our dream world is not inherently problematic; it aligns with the intrinsic human desire to enrich our experience. However, the tangible world we inhabit is characterized by boundaries—physical, emotional, and societal. Matter, by its nature, maintains physicality through encapsulation, creating a world defined by limits. So if you follow your dreams, you surely are heading towards a trap. Today you are in a room, in a palace you’ll be happy temporarily, but would notice the walls eventually.
Despite possessing material wealth and accomplishments, individuals often grapple with a sense of confinement within these boundaries. This feeling leads some to turn to substances like drugs in an attempt to transcend these limitations. The desire is always for release, not gain! (Read: Life lessons from Bhagavad Gita)
Breaking Free: Following Reality Instead of Dreams
The solution to this existential dilemma lies in redirecting our focus. You shouldn’t follow your dreams, but embrace reality. Reality, in this context, transcends the physical dimension. It’s the non-physical, boundless realm that extends infinitely beyond the constraints of the material world.
True liberation occurs when we disentangle ourselves from the confines of our physical self. By experiencing a vacuum of nothingness within and dissolving into that emptiness, we can become one with existence. This shift in perspective allows us to tap into the infinite reality, unbound by the limitations of our dream world.(read why people suffer success)
Selflessness: The Ultimate Reality
Embracing reality requires a profound shift in mindset—one that transcends the selfish desires embedded in our dreams. The most selfless dream one can harbor is the aspiration to be completely self-less, devoid of the egoic self. In relinquishing the individualistic pursuit of personal dreams, we open ourselves up to the vastness of reality. Our boundaries that once confined us dissolve, and true enrichment of our life experience begins.
While the world may advise you to follow your dreams, there’s a hidden truth in the beauty of following reality. The illusionary nature of dreams that define our physical world can only be overcome by embracing the boundless reality. (Read about individuality)
FAQs
To be happy with your life, you must realize that happiness is never dependant on your life’s situations. People achieve a lot in their lives, but they still remain depressed, reason for that are the limitations of the material life. Material life only allows us to expand up to a point, and one feels stuck on reaching it. Therefore true happiness comes in the spiritual world which is infinite.
If you want to be 100% happy in your life, the only way is to turn spiritual. As we know that the material life thrives on duality of ups and downs, therefore it can never give us undisturbed happiness. Therefore, true happiness only comes when we look for it in the spiritual realm which is non-dual.
