chakravaka

a variety of duck, legendary lovers who must sleep apart at night and forever call to one another, “Chakava, may I come to you?” “No, Chakavi.”

chakravaki

The female of a particular species of duck.

(See also: chakravaka, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Ashvatthama

The son of Dronacharya who fought against the Pandavas at Kurukshetra. In a desperate act of revenge at the end of the battle, he killed the five young sons of the Pandavas in their sleep and tried to kill the last remaining heir, Parikshit, in his mother’s womb.

(See also: Ashvatthama, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Ta'aroa (Tahitian) The chief Tahitian god who broke out of the darkness within the cosmic egg. After living alone, he created a daughter with whom he made the manifested world. Later he fashioned man out of red earth, and then put him to sleep for ages -- referring to the ages during which the mind principle had not yet awakened to conscious activity. During this sleep Ta'aroa extracted a bone from the man, and from this fashioned woman, a reference to the third root-race when the androgynous mankind separated into the present type of sexual humanity. The mental sleep of the third root-race mankind lasted from a number of minor time periods after the separation, and before mind really incarnated in the relatively mindless bodies. Whether the myths relating to the creation of man and woman are indigenous or imported from Christianity is debated.

(See also: Ta'aroa, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Bragi (Scandianvian Norse). The god of New Life, of the re-incarnation of nature and man. He is called "the divine singer" without spot or blemish. He is represented as gliding in the ship of the Dwarfs of Death during the death of nature (pralaya), lying asleep on the deck with his golden stringed harp near him and dreaming the dream of life.

When the vessel crosses the threshold of Nain, the Dwarf of Death, Bragi awakes and sweeping the strings of his harp, sings a song that echoes over all the worlds, a song describing the rapture of existence, and awakens dumb, sleeping nature out of her long death-like sleep.

(See also: Bragi, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Taaut (Phoenician) A Phoenician deity described as having four eyes, two in front and two in back, and four wings. "The eyes denote that the god sees in sleep, and sleeps in waking; the position of the wings that he flies in rest, and rests in flying" (Sanchoniathon quoted in IU 2:235).

Taaut is in some respects equivalent to the Greek Kronos or Saturn; yet there are elements in what is known of him reminiscent of the Roman Janus, seeing with two faces, and seeing both the past and the future which coalesce in the Eternal Now.

(See also: Taaut, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Nagara Sankirtan:

Nagara Sankirtan: Gather together in the hours before dawn, and walk slowly along the streets, singing Bhajans glorifying God. Carry the Name to every doorstep. Wake up the sleeping. Purify the air polluted by day-long angry shouts of hate and greed, faction and fear. What greater service can you render than this - beginning the day with the Name of God and helping others to remember Him? (SSS-III)

(See also: Nagara Sankirtan, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Adisesha (Sanskrit) (from adi first + sesha from the verbal root sish to leave remainders)

Primeval residue; the mythological thousand-headed serpent (naga) upon which Vishnu "sleeps" during the pralayas (intervals between manifestations); also represented as supporting the seven patalas (hells) with the seven regions above them and therefore the entire world (VP 2:5). More often called simply Sesha; or Ananta, infinite; or Ananta-sesha.

As sesha means "remainder," "what is left over," the main significance is that during the pralayas Vishnu, representing the cosmic divinity, is conceived as sleeping upon the substance of a spiritual character remaining over after the dissolution of the worlds. Thus Adisesha (primeval substance or remainder) is the cosmic spatial ocean of consciousness-substance left over from the previous cosmic manvantara which acts as the mother-substance or chaos from and in which the future worlds of manifestation will be born when pralaya ends.

See also ANANTA; ANANTA-SESHA

(See also: Adisesha, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

consciousness: Chitta or chaitanya.

1)    A synonym for mind-stuff, chitta; or

2)    the condition or power of perception, awareness, apprehension.

There are myriad gradations of consciousness, from the simple sentience of inanimate matter to the consciousness of basic life forms, to the higher consciousness of human embodiment, to omniscient states of superconsciousness, leading to immersion in the One universal consciousness, Parashakti. Chaitanya and chitta can name both individual consciousness and universal consciousness.

Modifiers indicate the level of awareness, e.g.,

-       vyashti chaitanya, "individual consciousness;"

-       buddhi chitta, "intellectual consciousness;"

-       Sivachaitanya, "God consciousness."

Five classical "states" of awareness are discussed in scripture:

1)    wakefulness (jagrat),

2)    "dream" (svapna) or astral consciousness,

3)    "deep sleep" (sushupti) or subsuperconsciousness,

4)    the superconscious state beyond (turiya "fourth") and

5)    the utterly transcendent state called turiyatita ("beyond the fourth").

See: awareness, chitta, chaitanya, mind (all entries).

(See also: Consciousness, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Nightmare was the original term for the state later known as waking dream (cf Mary Shelley and Frankenstein's Genesis), and more currently as sleep paralysis, associated with rapid eye movement (REM) periods of sleep. The original definition was codified by Dr Johnson in his Dictionary and was thus understood, among others by Erasmus Darwin and Henry Fuseli, to include a "morbid oppression in the night, resem ...

See also:

Nightmare, Nightmare - Historic use of term, Nightmare - Notes

Read more here: » Nightmare: Encyclopedia II - Nightmare - Historic use of term

Dream FAQ Dictionary: What causes sleep paralysis?

What causes sleep paralysis?

A. Conventional wisdom: REM atonia is a normal function of the body.The muscles that move the body are "turned off" during REM sleep,which prevents you from acting out dreamed actions in reality.Non-REM sleep paralysis after waking up ("old hag") is caused by afailure to re-activate the muscles immediately. Normally thiscondition lasts only a few seconds, but sometimes it can go for aminute, which causes a very scary feeling. You are damn sure you'reawake now but you can't move. This is extremely unpleasant but atleast not dangerous.

Source: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dreams-faq

(See also: Sleep Paralysis, Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: If I dream that I die, will I die in my sleep?

Is it true that if you dream that you die or that you hit bottom in a falling dream, you will in fact die in your sleep?

No, these beliefs are not true. Many people have dreamed that they died or hit bottom in a fall and they have lived to tell the tale! You can explore the meaning of these kinds of images just as you would explore any others that might occur in your dreams. However, if any aspect of your dreams worries or distresses you, talk to a professional mental health practitioner about your concerns.

Courtesy to: http://www.asdreams.org

(See also: Dying in a Dreams, Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: Does everybody dream?

Does everybody dream?

 A. Everybody dreams. All humans (indeed, all mammals) have REM sleep. Most dreams occur in REM sleep. [REM=Rapid Eye Movements - in this sleeping stage the eyeballs move around like when awake.] This has been demonstrated by awakening people from different stages of sleep and asking if they were dreaming. In 85 percent of awakenings from REM sleep, people report having been dreaming. Dreams are rarely reported following awakening from other types of sleep (collectively called non-REM sleep). REM sleep alternates with non-REM sleep in 90 minute cycles throughout the night. In a typical 8 hour night, youwill spend about an hour and a half total time in REM sleep, broken upinto four or five "REM periods" ranging in length from 5 to 45minutes. Most dreams are forgotten. Some people never recall dreamswhile others recall five or more each night. You can improve yourability to recall dreams. Good dream recall is necessary for learninglucid dreaming. There are two basic things to do to get started withdeveloping dream recall. Begin a dream journal, in which you writeeverything you remember of your dreams, even the slightestfragments. You will remember the most if you record dreams right afteryou awaken from them. Before falling asleep each night, remindyourself that you want to awaken from, remember and record yourdreams.

Source: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dreams-faq

(See also: Lucid dreaming, Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: Does everyone dream?

Does everyone dream?

Yes. Laboratory studies have shown that we experience our most vivid dreams during a type of sleep called Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. During REM sleep the brain is very active, the eyes move back and forth rapidly under the lids, and the large muscles of the body are relaxed. REM sleep occurs every 90 - 100 minutes, 3 to 4 times a night, and lasts longer as the night progresses. The final REM period may last as long as 45 minutes. Less vivid dreams occur at other times during the night.

(See also: Does everyone dream?, Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: Do animals dream?

Do animals dream?

The answer to that isn’t known. Animals are observed to have REM sleep, and to twitch and make noises during sleep. Throughout history, human beings have thought animals to dream. The Greek philosopher Aristotle and the Roman historian Pliny believed so, and much later Charles Darwin credited dogs, cats, horses and the “higher animals” with the ability to dream. Recent lab research on young zebra finches showed that the birds exhibited the same brain activity when learning the song of the adult zebra finch as they did during REM sleep, leading to speculation that the birds were dreaming about rehearsing the song.

Source:Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Dreamspeak: How To Understand the Messages in Your Dreams

(See also: Animals dreams, Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

DREAM -

1. view, goal or purpose in life.

2. sleeping consciousness.

3. a private myth. (Joseph Campbell)

4. v. to awaken to the numinous powers ever present in the phenomenal world about us and whose powers possess us in our high creative moments. (Thomas Berry) (NAD)

(See also: DREAM, Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: Do we dream every night?

Do we dream every night?

Scientific research indicates that, with few exceptions, we all dream every night Some people who have suffered trauma to the brain or who have brain illness are known to experience a loss of dreaming. Otherwise, we dream throughout the night, in both rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep.

Source:Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Dreamspeak: How To Understand the Messages in Your Dreams

(See also: Do we dream every night?, Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

Falling : Dream Interpretation Dictionary - Falling through space or jumping off a cliff

Falling through space or jumping off a cliff

• could be a body reaction to "falling asleep" especially in light sleep - legs may jerk in a reflex action
• may indicate loss of control in a situation

Source: Discover Dreams: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Interpreting Dreams

(See also: Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation Falling, Dream Dictionary Falling)

Dream Interpretation Tent

The tent is a symbol of the uncertain, impermanent life you have created for yourself. Also it stands for a temporary shelter. Sleeping in a tent: try to live more humbly and be more frugal. Crawling into a tent: someone is providing a shelter for you in a desperate situation.

Source: Dream-Land, http://www.dream-land.info

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Tent, Meaning of Dreams about Tent, Dream Interpretation Tent)

Mattress

• To dream of a mattress, denotes that new duties and responsibilities will shortly be assumed.
• To sleep on a new mattress, signifies contentment with present surroundings.
• To dream of a mattress factory, denotes that you will be connected in business with thrifty partners and will soon amass wealth.

Source: 10 000 Dream Interpretations, by Gustavus Hindman Miller

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Mattress, Meaning of Dreams about Mattress, Dream Interpretation Mattress)

Hut

• To dream of a hut, denotes indifferent success.
• To dream that you are sleeping in a hut, denotes ill health and dissatisfaction.
• To see a hut in a green pasture, denotes prosperity, but fluctuating happiness.

Source: 10 000 Dream Interpretations, by Gustavus Hindman Miller

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Hut, Meaning of Dreams about Hut, Dream Interpretation Hut)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: If I dream every night, why do I not always remember a dream when I wake up?

If I dream every night, why do I not always remember a dream when I wake up?

Some people seem to have a natural ability to remember their dreams in vivid detail. while others struggle to recall them. Stress, food, medication and stimulants can affect sleep patterns, thus potentially disrupting dream time. You can benefit your recall by setting your intention prior to sleep to remember dreams, and by recording whatever you recall, even fragments, as soon as possible upon awakening.

Source:Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Dreamspeak: How To Understand the Messages in Your Dreams

(See also: Remembering Dreams, Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

Dream Commonly applied to the chaotic impressions which memory transmits to our consciousness at the moment of waking, which are but a small part of the dreaming which goes on during the sleeping period and which is not recollected.

To a large extent dreams are a reflex of our sensory impressions and of our thoughts during the waking state; the principles concerned in these cases being kama and the lower aspect of manas, which act and react with the various nerve centers and the organs at the base of the brain.

But if the word dream is to be distinguished from dreamless sleep on the one hand and waking consciousness on the other, it must include a far higher kind of dream which is the experiences of the higher aspect of manas. These experiences, being so different from those of the waking state, cannot be transmitted to the latter except symbolically or in distorted form.

The astral light also plays an enormous part in most dreams. We may witness scenes which cannot have formed part of our waking experience, and evidently in this case are seeing pictures in the astral light which we correctly or erroneously connect with our own personality. Again, with prophetic dreams our vision, untrammeled by physical senses, perceives in the astral light the image of what will later happen on the physical plane, and we may occasionally carry a recollection of what has been seen into the waking state.

The Sanskrit term for this state of sleeping consciousness is svapna.

(See also: Dream, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)