Acharya Prashant explains that the state of dreaming is entirely dependent on the waking state. He asserts that one cannot encounter anything in a dream that has not already been experienced or imagined during waking hours. Dreams are merely a mixture of waking experiences, rearranged like a collage to appear new, though they are fundamentally composed of old impressions. In dreams, hidden tendencies and instincts surface because the conscious mind and moral constraints become relaxed, allowing these latent traits to express themselves more openly. He compares the mind to a tree, where conscious experiences are the leaves visible during the day, and hidden tendencies are the roots that become apparent at night. He emphasizes that spiritual practice or 'Sadhana' cannot be performed within a dream; it can only be practiced during the waking state. If one's waking life is disciplined and truthful, dreams will naturally improve. He advises that instead of worrying about the content of dreams, one should focus on rectifying their conduct during the day. Just as a gardener waters the roots by pouring water on the surface, taking care of the waking state will eventually influence and purify the deeper layers of the mind.
