Held by Light: Messages from a Dream

Some dreams feel like echoes of daily life, but others arrive like messages from the depths, filled with meaning we can almost grasp but not quite. I recently had a dream that carried a profound sense of mystery, guidance, and reassurance—one that left me reflecting on ancestral wisdom, protection, and the invisible forces that hold us through life’s turbulence. Walk with me as I attempt to interpret the dream's messages through psychological and mystical lenses.

The Dream: Views from Tsunami Tops

I am in the ocean with my oldest brother, Victor, and our mother. Suddenly, a wave pulls Victor and me backward, sweeping us through a circular tunnel until we find ourselves high atop a tsunami. Suspended in that moment, I frantically search for my mother, but she is beneath the water, lost to my sight. Then, as if by some unseen grace, the tsunami lowers us back gently, returning us to safety.

I find my father waiting for me on the shore. He speaks, but his words are not entirely his own—he is conveying a message through the perception of my maternal grandfather, who has long since passed. In Ukrainian, he tells me what happened to my mother: she was on a boat in the ocean when she was pulled under. But she was not alone. A face of light held her. This presence was always there with her, holding her.

When the story is done, I embrace my mother, overcome with gratitude and relief that she is alive.

Ancestral Wisdom and the Voice of the Past

One of the most striking aspects of this dream is how the message was transmitted—my father spoke to me through my maternal grandfather’s perception. This intertwining of paternal and maternal lineage suggests a deep ancestral connection, where wisdom and guidance transcend generations. It’s as though my dream was reminding me that the voices of our ancestors are always present, communicating in ways beyond language.

In Jungian terms, this could represent the collective unconscious, where ancestral memory and deep archetypal wisdom emerge through symbols and figures. My grandfather’s voice, channeled through my father, may symbolize the interwoven strength of both family lines, working together to reassure me about my mother’s endurance and protection.

The Ocean, the Tsunami, and the Cycle of Destruction and Return

Water in dreams often represents the unconscious, emotions, or the vast unknown. In my dream, the ocean is both a force of upheaval and of return. The tsunami, though overwhelming, does not destroy—it lifts us and sets us down gently. This suggests a powerful lesson:

Even in moments of great upheaval, there is an unseen force that ensures our safe return.

The circular tunnel we are pulled through could symbolize a rite of passage, transformation, or the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. I emerge changed but safe. And my mother, though pulled under, is ultimately in the hands of light.

The Face of Light: A Symbol of Divine Presence

Perhaps the most profound element of the dream is the face of light that holds my mother. This presence is always there, unseen yet unwavering. It could represent the divine, the ancestors, or even an inner strength that carries her through life’s challenges.

In spiritual traditions, light is often a symbol of divine guidance, protection, and enlightenment. The dream could be revealing an unseen spiritual force that watches over not only my mother but all of us—especially in times when we feel submerged by life’s trials.

A Message of Reassurance and Gratitude

The dream does not end with fear or loss but with gratitude. I do not wake in distress but instead experience the joy of reunion, of knowing my mother is safe, and of feeling the embrace of generations past.

This dream reminds me to trust in the unseen forces at work, to listen for the voices of wisdom that may not always speak in expected ways, and to embrace the resilience that flows through my lineage.

Perhaps, in some way, we are all held by light—whether we realize it or not.

Expanding the Interpretation: Psychological and Mystical Perspectives

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1. Jungian Depth Psychology: The Ocean of the Unconscious & Individuation

Dreams as the Language of the Psyche

Carl Jung believed that dreams speak in symbols, revealing aspects of the unconscious mind that we have yet to integrate. This dream, filled with archetypal imagery, reflects the process of individuation—the journey of uniting the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self.

Symbolic Breakdown of the Dream

The Tsunami: Confrontation & Transformation

In Jungian terms, water-related disasters often signify a powerful emotional or psychological force that threatens the ego’s stability. However, instead of being destroyed, I was carried high and given a new vantage point.

This suggests that I am being invited to integrate something overwhelming—not suppress or escape it. In life, we often resist deep emotions, shadow work, or transformation, fearing we will be “swept away.” This dream reminds me that surrendering to these forces can lead to psychic growth rather than destruction.

The Mother as the Great Mother Archetype

The Great Mother appears in many myths, representing both nurturing creation and destructive chaos. My mother’s disappearance into the water mirrors the mythic descent into the unconscious—a process often associated with psychological transformation.

In dreams, a mother can symbolize:

• Our personal relationship with the nurturing or destructive aspects of the psyche.
• An invitation to explore the emotional depths we inherited from our maternal line.

In this dream, she is not lost—she is held by a “Face of Light.” This suggests that even in darkness, there is an unseen guiding force, whether we interpret it psychologically as the Higher Self or spiritually as the divine.

Jungian Lessons from the Dream

• Transformation often feels overwhelming, but instead of drowning, we may be elevated.
• The unconscious mind is not something to fear—it holds guidance, healing, and ancestral wisdom.
• Even when we feel lost, something greater than our ego is holding us.

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2. Mystical and Spiritual Perspective: Divine Protection

Spiritually, the dream resembles near-death and mystical experiences where beings of light offer comfort. The face of light could be seen as a guardian presence, an angel, or even an expression of divine love. My mother, despite being pulled under, was never abandoned—suggesting that protection exists even in our most challenging moments.

Water is also a baptismal force—submersion often symbolizes purification or rebirth. This could mean that my mother (or even myself) is undergoing a transformation, but she is cradled through it rather than lost.

In near-death experiences and mystical visions, people often describe seeing a radiant face of love. This dream suggests that my mother was never truly alone—she was being held in divine hands.

Ancestral Wisdom & Speaking in the Tongue of the Past

That my father spoke to me through the perspective of my grandfather reinforces the idea of ancestral guidance. Many traditions believe that our ancestors communicate with us through dreams, ensuring that wisdom is never lost.

In this case, my grandfather’s wisdom was:

"Even when you are pulled under, you are held in the hands of light."

Spiritual Lessons from the Dream

• Surrender is not the same as defeat. What if being pulled under is part of our awakening?
• Something luminous is always present, even in moments of darkness.
• Our ancestors are still guiding us. When we dream, we step into their realm.

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Take Away

Life’s Waves & Learning to Trust

At its core, this dream is about trusting the process of life—even when it feels like we’re being swept away.

The Wave as Change

In life, we experience unexpected waves:

• A sudden life transition
• A moment of deep emotional overwhelm
• A loss, heartbreak, or shift that leaves us feeling powerless

Instead of resisting, this dream suggests that when we allow ourselves to be carried, we might find insight, perspective, and even peace.

The Role of Ancestral Wisdom

The fact that the message came through my grandfather’s perception reminds me that I am part of a lineage—one that has faced storms before.

When we feel lost, we can draw upon the resilience of those who came before us. Their stories, lessons, and struggles live within us.

Lessons for Growth

• Not all waves are meant to break us—some are meant to carry us to new heights.
• New perspectives are often found in unexpected contradictions.
• Even in uncertainty, we are held by something greater.
• When feeling lost, remember: your ancestors, wisdom, and intuition are always with you.

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Final Thoughts: A Universal Message

Regardless of whether we view this dream through a psychological, spiritual, or self-growth lens, the message is the same:

You are not alone. You are always being held by light—even in the moments when you feel like you are drowning.

A musical poem I created a while ago about that mysterious Beloved and after I had a dream about a woman who showed me how to breathe underwater that now feels relevant:

imenkomi · lovely glowing stone / милая луна

What Can You Learn From Dreams?

Dreams are direct messages from your brain, sometimes your soul, and sometimes, it feels dreams are messages from beyond. 

• What are your dreams telling you? 
• What would you like to ask your dreams? 

Maybe you have some other message or takeaway from the dream I shared. Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Let's talk.