Understanding Dreams
By Bruce McKeithan
brucemckeithan@sbcglobal.net
July 1, 2026
Dreams occur because the energy that is generated during sleep is initially not sufficient to bring about wakefulness. This energy flows from the base of the brain into the brain’s middle region, which temporarily has the capacity to handle it and prevent or fix its disturbing and even harmful effects. The central part of the brain is called the limbic system which contains the amygdala, whose stimulation provides a defensive reaction, and the hippocampus, which recalls people and objects from the past. We must undergo a process of awakening.
In our dreams, we respond to the excess energy problem in several ways: We undertake activities using up energy. We try to offset harmful effects by repairing damaged items or organizing something. We see ourselves making these efforts. At times, we find ourselves away from home, either nearby or far away, which reflects an expansion within the limbic system. Technically, this is due to the new energy’s force reducing internal energy per unit of volume.
Still some further effort is necessary to alleviate the problem. The mind does this by storing or containing energy in the form of large or numerous objects or people. These images grow and become predominant, blocking our personal efforts. Once the storage reaches a maximum with a great deal of energy, it must release that energy. To avoid any further destruction, the mind expands energy into the upper and outer reaches of the brain, finally producing consciousness.
There are many examples of a dream’s inner activity and frustration. In golf, we are trying to hit a ball into a cup, but there are too many trees, hills, or rocks blocking our way. Another example is tennis where the court is too large to hit a ball satisfactorily, or a crowd of people may watch us lose a tennis match after winning a few points. Another example is driving a car in heavy traffic and getting lost. One more example is struggling with a problem at work or school. Also, imagine one ship colliding with a larger one at sea.
Latent desires such as those for food and sex are a primary source of action on our part. They may be used directly or have their energy redirected into other activities. They too are ultimately frustrated in some way, or negatively affected by internal energy, ending a dream.
We may also recall old memories of people such as a deceased parent, or a friend, but in a dream they are ill. A previously compatible couple are now getting a divorce. We may see an old car that needs repair, a coal-burning furnace that needs fixing, or an overgrown garden in an old spot.
At times, we try to prolong a dream, e.g. by hitting a golf ball up a steep hill and having it fall into the cup. We may repair an item, such as putting out a fire or fixing an overheated computer. A large dog that has died is replaced by a small dog.
We may persist in our efforts, but eventually some hostile action disrupts sleep. Police, military forces, or enemies may even threaten us or our group with death, or a large enemy army may destroy what a friend has built to support sleep.
As for the expansion within the limbic system, we may find ourselves at a beach, a resort in the mountains, or another region of the country. We wish to return home presumably having taken care of internal energy, but this proves impossible. We cannot gather our belongings, our route out of the mountains is unclear, or we are unable to get an airplane flight or to find our room in a hotel that has suddenly become much larger, with many hallways and elevators.
Various other examples of the large images containing energy are a closely packed crowd of people in an auditorium, stadium, bus, diner, or classroom. We may see a large body of water, multiple houses, a large building being built, rows of tables or desks, natural features like forests or hills, or many cars in a parking lot. A long line of people, a long wall, a long train of container cars, or a long list of items may occur as well.
Finally, the large images release their energy like a large waterfall spilling over a dam, a stream rushing down a mountain toward a town, water flowing rapidly through a culvert, or a flood. To avoid the recurrence of a considerable disturbance, we accept an expansion of energy into the outer layers of the brain, the cortex.
Thus, we become conscious and can fulfil our inherent design. We can do those things that help us survive and thrive. We can be productive and rational. We can help others and admire others and things. In effect, dreams are a bridge between quietness and wakefulness. Consciousness allows us to exercise our abilities to carry out our needed tasks.
Thanks to Dr. John P. Ralston, Professor of Physics at Kansas University, for helping me to understand some of these issues involved in writing this article. Thanks also to Nancy Hamilton at KU for her views.
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