Had a dream last night that I only had a very short time to live. Details are getting fuzzy, I don't remember how long it was, but less than a couple of days. Very sobering experience (I have never been able to 'know' when I was dreaming until after the fact) and I am still trying to make something of it.

Were you 'aware' that you were dreaming while you were asleep? Was this early in the morning, towards waking, or in the evening (early into the sleep cycle)?

No, I was not 'aware' I was dreaming, never have been able to do that. I am not sure when it happened, I believe in the morning. Possibly after I was awakened by my alarm and went back to sleep.

Dreaming, like 'being awake', is understood differently depending on context and culture. My understanding, one that makes sense to my western mind, is that dreaming is part of a continuum of consciousness. If we are interested in examining perception, reality, exploring consciousness in all it's aspects...then examination of the dreaming state is part of that exploration.

(This is my understanding...feel free to ignore it.)

Most dreams are a mix of the days events, and the symbols/events stored in our memory. It is as if the subconcious is 'playing' by taking normally disparate events and juxtaposing in order to create new relationships...new insights. Buddhists label these types of dreams as part of 'samsara'. The same 'samsara'/ignorance that we exist in while 'awake' in the normal sense.

Then, there are dreams of 'clarity'. These are the ones that stand out. The 'special' ones. Again, they are on a continuum. Some lesser...dreams of seeing one's self die, meeting others or traveling places. Some greater...life-altering. Dreams of clarity become more clear, take on attributes as one evolves.

Dreams have significance in every culture, but I think that 'interpretation' is best left to the individual. That being said, cross-culturally, certain dreams, seem to occur that have significance as 'signposts' in one's personal development. Dreams of death are significant in every culture as a representation of change in the individual.

If you are interested in this subject, I can suggest some materials. PM me.

In my dream I after I recieved the nws my mind was racing. There were millions of things I wanted to do, millions of people I wanted to talk to before it happened. My head was spinning and I didn't know where to start.

If its any comfort to you, my dreams always turn out to be the opposite of waken events.

So I actually prefer to have nightmares, seriously.

"My head was spinning and I didn't know where to start."

Start now, before you actually have only two days!

Joel,

I seem to remember reading somewhere that these life and death and imminent death dreams were not actually obout dying.

They usually serve the purpose of exposing one to change. Life change. Choices being made or accepted. But you are working on some decisions. You may not even be consciously aware of these things.

At least, this is what I read somewhere, some time.

-B

I would think that it may be as simple as time management. It could be that you're so swamped with work, or whatever it is - simply the routine of daily life that's taking up all of your time. Perhaps there are people you haven't seen for a while, and who you've been meaning to call, and you haven't had time. Your dream might just be reminding you to make time for the more important things in life.