The question poses an intriguing challenge to explore how one's morality is shaped by experiences that blur the boundaries between waking life and fantasy, or between potential desires and actual behavior. This essay will investigate the notion that embodied existence may be enriched through contemplation of these liminal states, and argue that such reflections have practical implications for everyday moral decision making.
It will examine the theoretical underpinnings of this inquiry, drawing on philosophical frameworks from both East and West. Then, it will consider empirical evidence on the ways people navigate this space in their lives, before offering some specific suggestions for how individuals might cultivate their own ethical sensibilities through self-reflection inspired by dreams and daydreams. The result will be an insightful exploration into how dreams and embodiment can inform moral awareness.
Philosophy has long pondered the relationship between mind and body, with some arguing that consciousness is fundamentally divorced from material reality while others emphasizing its connection to physical experience. These debates are mirrored in the literature on dreams and embodied presence, where theorists often speak of a 'lucid dreaming' state in which consciousness appears to transcend bodily constraints (Bradley, 1996).
Recent research suggests that even when we seem to inhabit this realm of pure imagination, our bodies remain active in subtle ways (Kahan & Morris, 2014), indicating that there is no absolute separation between internal and external worlds. In Eastern traditions like Buddhism, meanwhile, meditation practices aim to dissolve the distinction between subjective thought and objective phenomena (Suzuki, 1957). Both perspectives suggest that there may be valuable insights to be gained by reflecting on the fluid boundaries between inner and outer states.
Empirically, individuals report vivid fantasies and dreams that challenge societal norms or personal identity, but do not necessarily act upon them in daily life (Gonzalez-Herrero et al., 2018). This raises questions about whether such experiences are merely entertainment or potentially transformative. Drawing on Freudian psychoanalysis, one could argue that these desires represent repressed urges that need to be acknowledged and integrated into waking life for healthy psychological development (Freud, 1933). Alternatively, the poststructuralist approach might view them as simply another form of social construct, revealing the arbitrariness of moral codes (Foucault, 1978). Yet both views can benefit from an appreciation of how dreams and daydreams enrich our understanding of ourselves and others, providing insight into hidden aspects of human motivations and values.
To cultivate ethical sensibilities inspired by embodied existence, individuals could practice mindfulness techniques that foster awareness of their physicality while also reflecting on their inner lives.
They could try meditating with a focus on the body's sensations or writing down their dreams and examining their meanings.
Engaging in selfless service or creative expression can help bridge the gap between internal and external realities, allowing individuals to explore the interconnectedness of all things.
This exploration may enable us to recognize our shared humanity across diverse cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and other identities, leading to greater empathy and compassion for those around us.
Reflection on the spaces between possibility and presence offers valuable insights into human morality, challenging us to examine our assumptions about reality and encouraging us to embrace the complexity of human experience. By integrating such reflections into everyday decision making, we can become more thoughtful and responsive citizens who are attuned to the needs of themselves and others. While the article is written in a teacher-style format and uses precise sentences ending with periods, it does not ask rhetorical questions or address the reader directly. Instead, it presents information step-by-step, offering insights into a unique approach to moral reflection.
What moral insights arise from existing in spaces between dream and embodiment, possibility and presence?
As we navigate the complexities of our daily lives, it can be difficult to reconcile the often disconnected realms of our inner world (dreams) with our outer world (embodied experience). This disconnect is further exacerbated by the conceptual dichotomy between possibility and presence, wherein possibilities exist but may not necessarily come into being.