Dreaming in the world's religions

By Kelly Bulkeley

Book Description

Dreams have served as sacred gateways between the human and divine realms throughout history, weaving through the spiritual fabric of every major religious tradition. Kelly Bulkeley guides readers on a remarkable journey across cultures and centuries, revealing how nocturnal visions have profoundly influenced the development of world religions.

This comprehensive exploration traces the sacred role of dreams from ancient Hindu scriptures to Islamic teachings, examining pivotal moments where divine messages arrived through sleep. Readers discover how Buddha's mother received prophetic dreams before his birth, while Christian saints like Augustine wrestled with troubling nightmares that shaped their spiritual understanding. The narrative extends beyond familiar traditions to illuminate Indigenous practices, including Ojibwa vision quests and the profound Dreamtime journeys of Australian Aboriginal peoples.

What sets this work apart is Bulkeley's integration of modern psychological insights with ancient wisdom. Drawing from cognitive neuroscience and evolutionary psychology, he offers readers a deeper understanding of why dreams have consistently served as bridges to the sacred across diverse cultures. Rather than treating religious dream experiences as mere curiosities, this scholarly yet accessible volume demonstrates their fundamental importance in shaping human spiritual consciousness.

For anyone seeking to understand the intersection of psychology and spirituality, or curious about how dreams continue to influence religious experience today, this thorough examination provides invaluable insights into one of humanity's most enduring spiritual phenomena.