What is a dream?

The dreamer is a consciousness, also known as ‘mind.’  The mind may be conditioned by defilements or not and the dream reflects the quality and conditioning of mind.

The dreaming mind creates a dream; therefore, the essence of a dream is the mind, consciousness.  However, the dream is a localized or a particular aspect of mind.  The dream depicts forms in an environment that is caused by the dreaming mind’s kamma while the body is still intact.  Kamma is the intention and cravings for particular experiences. Technically, this is not rebirth because the body has not died.  On the other hand, the dreaming mind has created another realm, the dream, in which the false self is experiencing a different drama (life).