"做梦是一种精神疾病，或者说是与之更常见的情况。"

The gist of the quote is that dreaming, in some ways, resembles a kind of madness or is often associated with mental illness. It’s suggesting that just as mental illnesses can distort our perception of reality, so too can dreams. When we're dreaming, our minds conjure up bizarre scenarios that don't adhere to the rules of the waking world, blurring the line between what's real and what's not.

Historically, this perspective can be traced back to philosophers and psychologists who have long been fascinated by the nature of dreams. Sigmund Freud, for instance, considered dreams to be a window into our unconscious mind—a place where our deepest desires and fears play out. In more contemporary times, neuroscience has explored how the brain's activity during REM sleep shares similarities with certain psychiatric conditions, like schizophrenia, where perception and reality can become muddled.

Imagine a young artist, Sarah, who finds her dreams to be a wellspring of inspiration. One night, she dreams of a surreal landscape where the trees are made of glass and the rivers flow with liquid gold. She wakes up, sketches her vision, and it becomes an integral piece of her next painting. Here, the dream serves a practical purpose, fueling her creativity. But, what if Sarah starts to confuse her dreams with reality? She might start seeing elements of her dreams in her waking life, leading her down a path of confusion and distress. This is where the idea of dreaming as a kind of madness comes into play—there’s a fine line between inspiration and delusion.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? First, it’s important to acknowledge and respect your dreams—they can be a source of insight and creativity. Keep a dream journal by your bed and jot down your dreams as soon as you wake up. Reflect on them, but maintain a healthy boundary between your dream world and reality. If you find yourself becoming too engrossed in your dreams, or if they start to interfere with your daily life, it might be time to talk to someone—a friend, a mentor, or even a therapist.

Let’s think about another scenario. Picture Jane, who’s always been a vivid dreamer. Her dreams are so intense that sometimes she wakes up feeling like she’s lived an entire lifetime overnight. She sometimes shares her dreams with friends, who find them fascinating, but occasionally, she’s unsettled by how real they feel. One day, Jane dreams about a significant event at work—she’s convinced she’s already completed a big project, only to find out she hasn’t even started it. This mix-up causes a lot of stress.

In this case, Jane can use her dreams to her advantage by channeling that vividness into her creative hobbies, like writing or painting. But she also needs to ground herself in reality. She could try mindfulness techniques to keep her focused on the present moment, like deep breathing exercises or keeping a checklist of her tasks to differentiate between what happened in the dream and what she needs to do in real life.

In essence, dreams are a double-edged sword. They can be a source of inspiration, but they can also muddle our sense of reality if we’re not careful. Balancing the two—appreciating the insights dreams can offer while staying firmly anchored in the real world—is the key. So, next time you wake from a dream, give it a moment of thought, maybe even a nod of thanks for the inspiration, but then get on with your day, firmly planted in the here and now.