Not long ago, I woke up from a dream and realized I couldn’t move at all. Even though I was stuck, I could still see the pillow against my cheek, the sunlit white wall, and the tan carpet below. I heard people talking behind me. I didn’t care what they were saying, but their voices felt familiar and comforting. I tried as hard as I could to move my legs, willing my body to respond. As I struggled, my mouth opened, and I started to moan softly, like a baby waking from a nap. Then I woke up for real, lying in bed next to my partner, with sunlight pouring into the room.

The experience wasn’t stressful at all. When I woke up, I felt completely relaxed. Since then, I often notice myself drifting in and out of what we call the “waking world.”

I’m starting to realize that in this waking dream, I can’t control much either. All I can do is watch. Becoming aware in this dream state just means fully understanding that this is also a dream, and accepting my role as a witness to it.

This has led me to one clear conclusion: that’s why we’re here in this dreamland.