Some dreams feel like echoes of daily life, while others arrive as messages from the depths, filled with meaning we can almost grasp but not quite.

The Dream: Views from Tsunami Tops

I am in the ocean with my oldest brother, Victor, and our mother when a wave pulls Victor and me backward. We are swept through a circular tunnel and find ourselves atop a tsunami. As I search frantically for my mother, I realize she is beneath the water, out of sight. Then, as if by unseen grace, the tsunami lowers us gently back to safety.

Onshore, my father waits for me. He speaks, but his words come through the perception of my maternal grandfather, who has long since passed. In Ukrainian, he tells me that my mother was pulled under while on a boat—but she was not alone. A face of light held her, always present, always guiding. When the story is done, I embrace my mother, overwhelmed with gratitude that she is alive.

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Interpreting the Dream: Ancestral Wisdom, Transformation & Protection

Ancestral Guidance: A Voice from the Past

My father speaking through my grandfather suggests a deep ancestral connection, a reminder that wisdom transcends generations. Carl Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious explains how ancestral memory emerges through symbols. The dream reinforces that the voices of our ancestors remain with us, offering reassurance in unexpected ways.

The Ocean, Tsunami, and the Cycle of Change

Water often represents the unconscious, emotions, or the unknown. Here, the tsunami does not destroy but lifts and returns. Instead of fearing upheaval, the dream suggests surrendering to transformation, trusting that we will be carried safely through life’s changes. The circular tunnel may symbolize rites of passage or cycles of loss and renewal.

The Face of Light: Divine Presence

The most profound image in the dream is the face of light holding my mother. Whether seen as a divine force, ancestral spirit, or inner strength, it represents the unseen protection present in life’s darkest moments. Across spiritual traditions, light symbolizes guidance and reassurance. Even when submerged, we are not abandoned.

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Lessons from Depth Psychology & Mysticism

Jungian Perspective: Integration & Individuation

Jung believed dreams speak in symbols, guiding us toward self-awareness. The tsunami represents an overwhelming force—yet instead of drowning, I am lifted. This suggests that even daunting transformations invite growth. The Great Mother archetype, embodied in my mother’s descent into water, reflects the duality of nurture and chaos, but ultimately, she is held by light—a symbol of protection and inner resilience.

Psychological Lessons:

• Transformation can feel overwhelming, but it often elevates rather than destroys.
• The unconscious is not to be feared—it holds ancestral guidance and healing.
• A force greater than the ego is always present, guiding us through change.

Mystical Perspective: Surrender & Protection

Spiritually, the dream echoes near-death and mystical experiences where beings of light offer comfort. Water symbolizes purification or rebirth, suggesting that even in life’s trials, we are held rather than lost.

Spiritual Lessons:

• Surrendering to change is not the same as defeat—it can lead to awakening.
• Even in darkness, a guiding presence exists.
• Our ancestors continue to watch over and communicate with us.

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Reflective Questions for Your Own Dreamwork

Dreams are bridges between the conscious and unconscious, the past and present, the personal and the collective. Consider these questions:

• What recent emotions or life changes might your dreams be processing?
• Do you notice recurring symbols? How might they relate to your waking life?
• If an ancestral figure appeared in a dream, what wisdom might they be offering?
• What would happen if, instead of resisting life’s waves, you allowed them to carry you?

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Final Thoughts: Trusting the Unseen Forces

At its core, this dream is about trusting the process of life, even when it feels like we’re being swept away. The tsunami symbolizes life’s inevitable changes, but the message remains clear: we are held, guided, and never truly alone.

What are your dreams telling you? What messages might be waiting beneath the surface? I’d love to hear your thoughts—share them in the comments below.