The Subconscious Setting: Corona Dreams
I dream about many random things: sports, school, family events, dark desires, and fantasy worlds. Most of the time, the dreams incorporate strange settings with strange people, and strange plot lines ensue. Dreams and the subconscious fascinate me, partly because I have never had a firm grasp on how dreams are formed. Sigmund Freud believes dreams are the manifestations of our deepest desires. I concur that some of my dreams are rather terrifying, but I have a difficult time agreeing with Freud on a moral level. Certainly dreams include desires of the flesh, but they are more than that. Carl Jung believes dreams are the interactions between each side of the brain. So, in theory, dreams are created by the brain's subconscious conversations with itself. Even though Jung is a Buddhist, his theories on dreams are the closest to reality that I have ever heard. I spent time recording a dream journal, and I felt connected to my subconscious. For many, the subconscious is disjointed and not a part of the real world, but I learned different aspects about myself through the examination of my dreams. This practice is especially beneficial for those who experience nightmares or recurring dreams.
Another interesting element of dreams is that they, at times, include the person's surroundings. For example, when I was on a mission trip in Guatemala, my team and I only spoke Spanish. Throughout the trip, my dreams played out in Spanish. I spoke Spanish, heard others speak Spanish, and thought in Spanish. People have always said once someone dreams in Spanish, then they are fluent, but I would never have categorized myself as fluent. I could communicate with Guatemalan kids and some Guatemalan adults, but I always had a difficult time understanding. However, the point is my dreams shifted according to the setting I found myself in. Now, with Covid-19 affecting the majority of my life, my dreams have been altered. Last night I had my first Corona Virus based dream. I was going to a grocery store to pick up food for my family. My purple bandanna covered my face, but the store was extremely crowded. People I knew were partying and living it up in Safeway while I tried desperately to leave. Somehow, I knew that I shouldn't be in close quarters with other people. As I ran down each aisle in search of an exit, I turned my face away from others. All the precautions I take in my daily life to limit the spread of Covid I was also taking in the dream. Surrealism doesn't even begin to describe the feeling I had after the dream.
I just wonder the lasting impacts of the virus. I have never been one to enjoy physical touch, but this pandemic is only heightening my dislike of hugs. For the next year or so, I believe people will respect each other's personal boundaries significantly more. Some will wear masks, others will avoid public gatherings, and still others will disinfect their hands every ten minutes. Even after a vaccine is created or widespread testing is enabled, the fear of catching sickness will remain among many. People will all attain an element
of germophobia. One day the changes will feel normal. Just as previous historical events (9-11, Spanish Flu, creation of Internet) influenced people's lives, the Corona Virus will follow suit, but people will eventually feel normal once again. Dreams will go back to strange settings with strange people and strange outcomes.
Another interesting element of dreams is that they, at times, include the person's surroundings. For example, when I was on a mission trip in Guatemala, my team and I only spoke Spanish. Throughout the trip, my dreams played out in Spanish. I spoke Spanish, heard others speak Spanish, and thought in Spanish. People have always said once someone dreams in Spanish, then they are fluent, but I would never have categorized myself as fluent. I could communicate with Guatemalan kids and some Guatemalan adults, but I always had a difficult time understanding. However, the point is my dreams shifted according to the setting I found myself in. Now, with Covid-19 affecting the majority of my life, my dreams have been altered. Last night I had my first Corona Virus based dream. I was going to a grocery store to pick up food for my family. My purple bandanna covered my face, but the store was extremely crowded. People I knew were partying and living it up in Safeway while I tried desperately to leave. Somehow, I knew that I shouldn't be in close quarters with other people. As I ran down each aisle in search of an exit, I turned my face away from others. All the precautions I take in my daily life to limit the spread of Covid I was also taking in the dream. Surrealism doesn't even begin to describe the feeling I had after the dream. I just wonder the lasting impacts of the virus. I have never been one to enjoy physical touch, but this pandemic is only heightening my dislike of hugs. For the next year or so, I believe people will respect each other's personal boundaries significantly more. Some will wear masks, others will avoid public gatherings, and still others will disinfect their hands every ten minutes. Even after a vaccine is created or widespread testing is enabled, the fear of catching sickness will remain among many. People will all attain an element
of germophobia. One day the changes will feel normal. Just as previous historical events (9-11, Spanish Flu, creation of Internet) influenced people's lives, the Corona Virus will follow suit, but people will eventually feel normal once again. Dreams will go back to strange settings with strange people and strange outcomes.
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