Do Dreams Affect Our Community?

[Eilonwy Solstice]

For some odd reason, I’ve never really considered the affect dreams may have in our community. Yet after reading several articles on the matter, I would think that yes, dreams do influence us as communities—sometimes in small ways, sometimes in larger ones. Yet when I was briefly glancing through the boards this morning, there was very little being said.

Should there?

[Robyn]

I don't know. Should there be?

What have you been dreaming?

I have assumed and hoped that the recent quiet on the boards was a good thing. At the same time, I have felt a certain concern since 21 Dec 2010. For such a major astronomical occurance, there has been little reported here on the subject (Ron Caliburn, Hannah and Nemesis being among the noted exceptions).

Of course, my concerns may stem from entirely personal sources.

In any case, the subject of dreams always fascinates me.

[Hannah]

Hey Wie,

I think our experience with dreams, especially my dreams, should pretty much be in favour of the idea that dreams can spill over and have effects on multiple people, but I get the idea you're thinking of something much more subtle.

Could you explain more? Is there something specific you're talking about?

Hannah

PS: Glad to see you posting again.

[Grace]

I have to agree with Hannah on this one.

[Eilonwy Solstice]

The article in question that revitalized my curiosity in dreaming spoke about a small community that believed the “dream world” was just as real, if not more so, than the one we wake to. The community claimed its governmental body was descended from a cadre of immortal sleepers. The author went on to explain how there were two special huts in the communal . . . one where everyone slept, and another where some people never woke. The “wakers” would carry any that didn’t awake to the second hut, and go about their business.

Lately, my dreams have made a bit of a difference, at least. Thankfully, all in good ways.

[Cybermancer]

There is no doubt in my mind that both dreams and nightmares effect this small online community of ours. In both cases there seems to have been a tendency to bring together people who might not have otherwise ever met.

They also effect our perspectives, views and goals here in the waking world. I've come to suspect that there isn't a 'real' world and a 'dream' world so much as there are just different aspects of the same world that we experience at different times. Certainly there is evidence that what happens when we are awake affects our dreams and vice versa. And of course some of us have witnessed the blurring of distinctions and normal divisions between the two states.

So yes, this community is effected by dreams. And this community can have an effect on our collective dreams. Indeed, the community exists because of one man's dream. Should more be said?

Quite likely.

Both the good and bad should be shared, as difficult as it can be for us individually at times.

[Eilonwy Solstice]

I agree, Matt. Dreams can affect quite a bit; online communities and the physical ones of our neighborhood.