Question asked by Eddie Ong
Dear Pastor,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
I have been following H.E. Tsem Rinpoche on YouTube for about 3 weeks not knowing that he has left the material world.
Last week, which was the 2nd week I followed HE Tsem Rinpoche and before I slept I just did a google search wanting to know more of his teachings but to my surprise, I was sad to know from Google that he has departed.
So on the same night, I dreamt that I was in Tsem Rinpoche's room and I saw a bell and some prayer items on his table but it was a bit dusty. I know that I am NOT supposed to touch any of those things but I was stubborn so I touch the bell. Immediately there was like a windblown on to my face. The windblown onto my face was like blown from a mouth and so I woke up and it was 2.00 AM.
The next day I chanted and I cried for 10 minutes while chanting when I think of Tsem Rinpoche.
Would like to know the meaning of windblown onto my face.
Thank you.
Dear Eddie Ong,
We are very happy to read that you have a connection to the Dharma. Yes, unfortunately Tsem Rinpoche has already departed us, but Rinpoche has left us with all we need to transform ourselves and progress spiritually. This website itself is what Rinpoche described as a ‘virtual temple’ where you can learn the Dharma. Rinpoche worked tirelessly to get as many teachings and articles published here, so anyone, anywhere around the world can benefit from it.
Now let’s discuss dreams a little bit. Generally, there are three types of dreams as described below. Most of us only experience the first type, unless we progress on the spiritual path.
1. Samsaric dreams: these arise from karma and karmic traces in the mind. This can also include emotions, memories, etc. The meaning we find in these dreams are imputed by the dreamer, and not inherent in the dream. This also applies to waking life. We impute meaning onto situations and circumstances, rather than the meaning being inherent to the circumstance. It is like reading a book. Words in the book are just marks on paper, however, because we use our sense of meaning, we take a meaning out of it. However, this is always open to interpretation. For example, if you tell your dream to two people, they can interpret the meaning very differently, even though you told them the exact same details.
2. Clarity dreams: These dreams occur when you are fairly progressed in meditational practices and can carry this into the dream state. These dreams arise not from the emotions, or memories, etc., but from more subtler forms of karma and delusions. However, just like in waking mediational practice, you are not affected by the images or thoughts that appear to you. You simply let them appear and then pass. At this stage you are aware that you are dreaming while in the dream.
3. Clear Light dreams: In the advanced tantric practices, there are teachings called dream yoga. The object of these is to achieve the clear light dreams, which are very difficult to achieve and take years and years of intense practice. The most important clear light mind that arises is actually at the time of our death, if we are trained enough in this very subtle state, we can actually control where we take rebirth. If we are more experienced in this state, then we can actually use it to meditate on the teachings and achieve enlightenment. Clear light dreams are a “lesser” type of clear light mind, that helps practitioners prepare for the time of death.
When we have an auspicious dream such as of our teacher, our practice, the Buddhas, etc., even though this is auspicious, it is still more than likely to be just a samsaric dream. Because it is equated to a samsaric dream most people would dismiss it as being just a normal dream arising from the subconscious. But it is a very auspicious type of dream, because it shows that the Dharma and virtuous imprints are beginning to take root in your life.
You see, when you learn the Dharma and more importantly put the Dharma into practice in your life and transform to become a more compassionate person, the Buddhas themselves will bless you. I would take your dream to be an indication, that you are on the right path of studying the Dharma and that the enlightened beings are blessing you to continue on your spiritual journey. The dream was your subconscious telling you that you are on the right path. Why it manifested as being in Rinpoche’s room? That is simple, because you have been following Rinpoche and Rinpoche’s teachings recently, that was how it manifested in your dream. It is a good dream to have had. I hope this helps.