Caution! It's Best Not to Interpret These Dreams.
Most people experience dreams while they sleep. Some individuals may wish to interpret their dreams, but it's important to understand that not all dreams can be analyzed or used for divination. If you feel compelled to interpret certain dreams, it may actually have a negative impact on your fortune. Let's delve into some insights about dreams in this context.
Do Not Interpret Dreams That End Abruptly or Are Interrupted
In ancient beliefs, dreams that carry omens of good or bad fortune usually have a clear beginning and end. Dreams are considered a form of symbolic language—a way for the divine to communicate with humans—according to ancient dream interpreters. If a dream is interrupted, especially by waking up due to noise, it suggests that the divine message is not clear, and one should not rush to interpret the dream. However, if the dream concludes and the thoughts within it are relatively complete, this rule does not apply.
Do Not Interpret Dreams When Your Spirit Is Unsettled
This is because dreams arise from the interaction of one's spirit. According to Taoist theory, a person's spirit consists of the soul and the corporeal body. The common saying about losing one's soul reflects this idea. The soul represents the yang aspect of the spirit, while the corporeal body represents the yin aspect. Generally, the soul is composed of light and clear yang energy, making it more spiritually significant, while the corporeal body is heavier and denser. Dreams occur when the yang energy of a person interacts with the yang energy of the universe. Depending on the specific elements present in the dream, they symbolize different objects of interaction.
Ancient beliefs suggest that dreams experienced when one's spirit is unsettled do not reflect true spiritual insights but rather fleeting thoughts that arise when the spirit is not firmly anchored. Such fleeting thoughts do not carry genuine omens of fortune or misfortune.
Do Not Interpret Dreams Arising from Erroneous Thoughts
Dreams that result from erroneous thoughts are typically triggered by various negative thoughts throughout the day. According to Buddhist theory, dreams stemming from such thoughts usually do not extend beyond the six senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thought. These senses are provoked by external stimuli and are transient and superficial. Such experiences are generally meaningless and do not contain genuine omens. Only when one reaches the seventh consciousness, the "manas," where the true self exists, can meaningful insights emerge. This true self is vibrant and full of genuine potential, revealing itself only in deeper dreams. Additionally, the eighth consciousness, the "alaya," represents the true self where everything is interconnected, and no dream images exist. For instance, if you have a conflict with someone during the day and feel anger, you might dream of encountering that person again and arguing or even fighting with them. This type of dream is a product of your own negative thoughts and contains no hidden messages.
Do Not Interpret Dreams That Clearly Indicate Misfortune
This refers to dreams that present very clear omens, which do not require further interpretation. However, some individuals may attempt to force a favorable interpretation to escape their "destiny," which raises doubts about the validity of such interpretations. An example from the Ming Dynasty's "Dream Interpretation Essentials" recounts a man named Sheng Bo who dreamed of crossing a river and eating exquisite food, while also crying and singing in the dream. Sheng Bo was knowledgeable about dream interpretation and, upon waking, recognized it as an ominous sign and refrained from interpreting it further. If one were to insist on interpreting it as a good omen for psychological comfort, it would only lead to disappointment, as the dream was indeed a sign of death, symbolizing a farewell ritual.
Do Not Interpret Dreams That Are Forgotten Upon Waking
This point is straightforward. Some people dream every night, but upon waking, they can only recall fragmented and chaotic details. Such dreams cannot be interpreted because the genuine insights have been disturbed, and any interpretation would likely be inaccurate.