Article appeared Friday, June 5th, 2015 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (381)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Are dreams a blessing? The fact is that each of us has between 3 to 6 dreams each night and
each lasts between 5 to 20 minutes {1}. One reasonable question to ask would be where in the
brain do we actually see the dream? As a dream consists of visual images, there must be a
part in the brain that screens the movie. A study of scientific literature {2, 3} suggests that
dreams are at least a "whole cerebral cortex" phenomenon. However, thinking logically, it could
be that a dream is actually screened on the retina which is part of the central nervous system
{4} located at the back of the eye while the rest of the brain processes the images like it does
any other visual image. If a dream is screened on the retina, it would explain the Rapid Eye
Movement (REM) {2} that occurs while dreaming as the retina is an integral part of the eyeball.
What is more important is what or who switches ON the movie on the screen of the brain and
why?
Does our subconscious have the ability to switch on and screen a complete dream full of
information with future benefits while we are sleeping? Dreams are not about events that have
occurred in the past, they are generally about things that we should be knowing or learning
about. As pointed out by Joseph Harris in his book Fifty Anchors of Gods Blessings: You are
sure to be blessed {5},
I have learned one thing for sure my friend, that is that I cannot dream unless He puts
the dream in my mind for His Purpose. {p.266, 5}.
Echoing this understanding, Barbara Lardinais {6} asks,
Have you had any exciting or puzzling dreams lately? Is God speaking to you today in
dreams as he has spoken to countless others in the Bible and down through the
centuries? Chances are the answer is yes. And as God speaks to you, may all your
dreams come true! {6}
If we consider a dream to be like a movie production, it is as though God our Creator has
engaged a production house to produce between 3 to 6 movies specially tailored as a blessing
for each of us. Would our Creator be going through all this effort without a specific purpose? As
such, Joseph Harris {5} points out,
Most people do not understand the reality of dreams they experience. Please consider
your dreams that come from God. People dream all kinds of dreams. The one who
knows completely about your dream is God. Joseph received his dreams from God.
Then Joseph went and told his family about his dreams. God sends dreams in different
ways to all people. Whatever your dream is, seek God for answers. He will give you the
interpretation. You do not have to worry about it. You do not have to seek anyone else
but GodThe fact is that there are blessings in itThe thing that is important is that you
seek out God and allow Him to work out the dream (for you) {parenthesis added, p.
268, 5}
Margarita Tartakovsky {7} suggests that dream analysis is a valuable way to better understand
ourselves. To get started, she suggests,
Record your dreams. This is the first and most important step in analyzing your
dreams, Sumber said. Taking notes, even a few sentences that encapsulate the dream,
literally draws the content of the unconscious out into the realm of the concrete. Think
you dont dream or cant remember your dreams? He suggests simply keeping a journal
by your bed, and writing No dream to record every morning. Within two weeks of this
process, the person will begin to remember their dreams. (In fact, you might open the
floodgates!) {7}

Like the Bible, the Quran gives examples of how the Creator guided Prophet Joseph to
interpret the dreams of the King of Egypt at the time to protect people dying of starvation from a
severe famine that was to occur seven years later. The lessons are not just that the Creator
gives dreams as a blessing but that we should save up for a rainy day; that we should seek the
help of the Creator to analyze our dreams and place our trust in Him to Guide us.

12.43 The king (of Egypt) said: "I do see (in a vision) seven fat cows whom seven
lean ones devour and seven green ears of corn and seven (others) withered. O
you chiefs! Expound to me my vision if it be that you can interpret visions."
The chiefs of the court were not able to help in interpretation of the dream.

12.44 They said: "A confused medley of dreams: and we are not skilled in the
interpretation of dreams."
However, a man in the court of the King remembered that his own dream was accurately
interpreted by Joseph, who was still lying in prison.

12.45 But the man who had been released (from prison and who was with
Joseph), remembered him (Joseph) after a long space of time said: "I will tell you
the truth of its interpretation: send me forth (to find out)."
So the man visited Joseph in his prison cell.

12.46 "Joseph!" (he said), "O man of truth! Explain to us (the dream) of seven fat
cows whom seven lean ones devour and of seven green ears of corn and (seven)
others withered (dry): that I may return to the people and that they may
understand (about you)."
It appears that the man suggested that if Joseph could interpret the dream successfully, the
King may know about the qualities of Joseph. As taught by the Creator, Joseph interpreted the
dream,

12.47 (Joseph) said, "For seven consecutive years shall you diligently sow as
you desire: and the harvests that you reap you shall leave them in the ear (the
stalk) except a little of which you shall eat.
There will be abundant crop for seven years, of which you will eat a little and leave most
untouched.

12.48 Then will come after that (period) seven dreadful (years) in which you will
devour what you have saved in advance except a little which you shall have
guarded. "
12.49 "Then will come after that (period) a year in which the people will have
abundant water (rain) and in which they will press (olives and grapes)."
Intrigued by the interpretation, the King wanted to meet Joseph in person.
-----{Notes}:
{1} http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284378.php
{2} http://www.quora.com/What-part-of-our-brain-generates-dreams
{3} http://www.sciencefocus.com//qa/which-part-brain-generates-dreams
{4} http://www.brainfacts.org/Sensing-Thinking-Behaving/Senses-andPerception/Articles/2012/Vision-It-all-Starts-with-Light
{5} https://books.google.com.bd/books?
id=F212AgAAQBAJ&dq=blessings+of+dreams&source=gbs_navlinks_s
{6} http://hannahscupboard.com/dreams-index.html
{7} http://psychcentral.com/lib/how-to-analyze-your-dreams-and-why-its-important/