I dreamed that my mom, some fellow practitioners from Dharma Drum Mountain, and I were on a plane traveling from Hong Kong through Yunnan, and then to Myanmar, as we were heading to the Himalayas.
On the plane from Yunnan to Myanmar, I met a foreigner who asked why I was going to Myanmar. I told him that Myanmar was my mother's homeland, and we were going back for a visit. He said I didn’t look Burmese, and I explained that my mother left Myanmar at a very young age.
Before climbing the Himalayas, we were at the base of the mountains in Myanmar and decided to eat something first. I took out my plate from my backpack. I arranged the chicken drumsticks in a V shape, placed the vegetables at the tip of the V, and left the hollow part of the V for fried rice and rice noodles.
I remembered arranging my food like this before. Sister Wendy mentioned that she had seen me do this in the past and was impressed by it, thinking it made sense. Since we needed to eat enough before climbing, she thought this arrangement allowed for the most food. Eventually, everyone started copying my way of arranging food.
Suddenly, I recalled a past trip here where a crime occurred involving a Taiwanese influencer who was traveling solo. He was live-streaming while walking down the street. His overconfidence attracted the attention of criminals who followed him. From his live stream, they knew he had left the station and was on his way back to the hotel, tracking his every move. I remembered watching his live stream when he was kidnapped by a gang while crossing the street.
Because the news reported it as a murder case, I reminded everyone to be very cautious while traveling and not to expose their whereabouts easily.
Following my fellow practitioners, we reached the Himalayas. It seemed like a test of our understanding of Buddhism. We stood at the edge of a cliff, needing to jump across a valley to the other side. Even though we knew it was an illusion, everyone still felt fear. The inner demons made it hard to overcome this challenge.
夢見我跟媽媽，還有法鼓山的師兄師姐，我們搭著飛機，從香港經雲南，然後飛緬甸，我們要去喜馬拉雅山。
在雲南飛緬甸的飛機上，我碰到一個外國人，他問我為什麼會去緬甸。我說因為緬甸是我母親的家鄉，我們要回去看一下。他說我長得不像緬甸人，我說因為我媽媽很早就離開緬甸了。
我們在緬甸的山下，準備要去爬喜馬拉雅山前，先要吃東西。我從背包拿出我的盤子。我就把雞腿排成一個 V 字型，然後蔬菜就放在 V 字尖頭的那一邊，然後凹的那一邊，待會要放炒飯跟米粉。
我記得我之前也曾經這樣子擺盤過。Wendy 師姐說，她過去曾經看過我這樣擺盤，對我印象深刻，也覺得我那樣子放是有道理的。因為我們要爬山，食物吃的要夠多，所以這種擺盤她覺得可以放最多。後來大家也都學著我的方式來擺盤。
然後我突然想起我們之前來這裡旅遊的時候，曾經碰到一個命案，就是一位台灣網紅出來自由行。他一邊走在路上，一邊直播。可能太有自信，反而歹徒就跟上他了。因為從他在直播的路徑，歹徒知道他離開車站，正在回飯店的路上，完全掌握他的行蹤。我記得當時我也看著他的直播，就在他過馬路的時候，被一群流氓綁走。
因為新聞講的是命案，所以我提醒大家，出門在外旅遊，真的要很小心，不要輕易曝露行蹤。
我跟著師兄師姐們，來到喜馬拉雅山。好像要測試我們對佛法的認知，我們站在一個懸崖邊，要跳過這個山谷，到另外一邊。其實我們明明知道這是一個幻覺，但是大家還是會害怕。就是還是會有心魔，跨不過去。
Ending 1: Overcoming the Illusion
As we stood at the edge of the cliff, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that the gap was an illusion. With the support of my mother and fellow practitioners, I gathered my courage and leaped across the valley. Instead of falling, I felt a surge of confidence and clarity. We all made it to the other side safely, feeling a profound sense of accomplishment. The fear we once felt dissipated, replaced by a renewed sense of faith and inner strength.
Ending 2: Finding an Alternate Path
We stood at the cliff's edge, hesitating to jump. Suddenly, one of the senior practitioners pointed out a hidden path along the cliff's side. It was narrow and challenging but manageable. We decided to take this alternate route, helping each other along the way. The journey was difficult, but we eventually reached the other side. This experience taught us that sometimes, there are safer, albeit less obvious, ways to overcome obstacles.
Ending 3: Embracing the Unknown
As the fear of jumping consumed us, I suddenly felt a wave of calmness wash over me. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped off the edge, surrendering to the unknown. Instead of falling, I found myself gently floating across the valley, supported by an unseen force. One by one, the others followed, experiencing the same phenomenon. We landed softly on the other side, realizing that letting go of our fears and trusting in the process was the key to overcoming our inner demons.
These different endings offer various ways of dealing with challenges and fears, emphasizing courage, adaptability, and trust.
This dream can be interpreted as a reflection of your inner thoughts, fears, and aspirations, as well as your connections with your past and present. Here's a detailed interpretation:
Travel and Exploration
Journey with Family and Practitioners: Traveling with your mother and fellow practitioners suggests a sense of community and shared purpose. The presence of Dharma Drum Mountain practitioners indicates a spiritual journey or a quest for deeper understanding.
Multiple Destinations: The various locations—Hong Kong, Yunnan, Myanmar, and the Himalayas—symbolize different stages of life or aspects of your journey, each with its own significance.
Encounters and Identity
Foreigner on the Plane: Meeting a foreigner and discussing your heritage highlights your connection to your roots and how you are perceived by others. It indicates a reflection on your identity and the influence of your mother’s background.
Not Looking Burmese: This may suggest feelings of disconnection or a sense of not fully belonging to one particular culture or place.
Preparation and Nourishment
Food Arrangement: The meticulous way you arrange your food could symbolize a need for order and control in your life. It also shows how you prepare and sustain yourself for challenges ahead. Sister Wendy’s approval suggests validation and support from those around you.
Eating Before Climbing: This emphasizes the importance of preparation and self-care before embarking on significant challenges or journeys.
Past Experiences and Caution
Memory of a Crime: Recalling a past incident involving a crime and a cautionary tale about an influencer suggests an awareness of the dangers in the world. It serves as a reminder to be cautious and mindful of your actions and surroundings.
Influencer's Fate: The incident reflects your fear of vulnerability and the potential consequences of being too open or trusting.
Spiritual and Psychological Challenge
Cliff and Illusion: Standing at the edge of a cliff and needing to jump across a valley represents a significant challenge or leap of faith in your life. The knowledge that it’s an illusion indicates an awareness that your fears may be unfounded, yet they still hold power over you.
Inner Demons: The fear of jumping, despite knowing it’s not real, symbolizes the internal struggles and psychological barriers you face. It suggests a confrontation with your inner fears and doubts.
Overall Interpretation
This dream seems to reflect a journey of self-discovery, where you are exploring your identity, preparing for significant challenges, and confronting your inner fears. The involvement of your mother and spiritual practitioners indicates that this journey is deeply personal and spiritual. The memory of the crime serves as a warning to stay cautious and mindful, while the challenge of the cliff represents a test of your courage and faith.