Who is the one in actuality
That takes the dream to be real?
The character in the dream
Or the dreamer himself?
The dream character ain’t real
The dream is but of the dreamer
Who keeps the dream alive
By taking the dream to be real
Dreaming up the character for himself
As also all the others and the things
That the dream contains as the world.
The dream dispels only by awakening
That awakening is not far off
If interest is lost altogether in the dream
Due to whatsoever reason, such as
Surfeit of worldly pleasures or pains,
A deep study of the world around us,
Disgust with the meaninglessness of life,
Or an epiphany of philosophical insight.
Know Thyself 