The role of dreams in Hinduism and Sikhism?

[Onkara]

Should we consider our dreams to have meaning on what we should do or not do in life?

Or do dreams have no significance from the Sikh or Hindu perspectives?

 

[Gaura Priya]

There are so many dreams that alot of saints and pure devotees have had that have caused them a complete change in thought or lifestyle, such as Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya's dream of Lord Chaitanya, or Sri Ramanujacharya's dream of Lord Vishnu Himself telling him that his desire to change the worship of the local Jagannatha temple was wrong.

Dreams in Hinduism, just as miracles, are as acceptable as we make them. The subtler body can still be a window into our subconscious desires and wants that come from the mind, intelligence, and false ego.

Me personally, I take my personal dreams and the dreams of others with a grain of salt, no matter what Dharma. Whether they see Jesus on a cloud on a golden throne, or they have dreams of Krishna, my mind instantly screams 'scepticism' and I find I internally cringe while attempting to externally approve of their dream-epiphany. If their dreams cause them to become better people, then that's fine with me.

 

[Vinayaka]

Should we consider our dreams to have meaning on what we should do or not do in life?

Or do dreams have no significance from the Sikh or Hindu perspectives?

It depends on the sampradaya or personal teachings. I try to forget mine, trusting its God's work, usually clearing the subconscious mind. But that's just my take, and probably not the norm.

 

[Andal]

Dreams are powerful things in that neurologically speaking we know that they help us to process information and solve problems. Dreams are also quite symbolic and can be profoundly useful in making important changes in our lives. This of course is at the material level.

There are other types of dreams though, ones that are visions of the divine which are incredibly powerful experiences and alter the course of lives. These type of dreams are not to be thrown around but shared only with one's guru and most trusted friends.

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Metempsychosis]

Should we consider our dreams to have meaning on what we should do or not do in life?

Or do dreams have no significance from the Sikh or Hindu perspectives?

We may be near awake when we dream we are dreaming.(quote from Novalis may hold true in Hinduism as well)...

An elaboration on Zhuangzi's Butterfly Dream:
Zhuangzi_And_That_Bloody_Butterfly

Thats is to say we may be dreaming while we may consider ourselves to be awake.

 

[iamfact]

In Advaita Hinduism, when you are in a deep state of sleep, you lose the ego sense of "I" and become pure existence. You don't localize yourself to the body, nor do you have any concepts about the self, or the world. In that state, you simply are, as Reality simply is.