Dreaming of swimming in Buddhism: meaning
The Buddha compared his teaching to a raft for crossing a wild river, and life in samsara to a flood that sweeps you along. A dream about swimming can therefore be about whether you drift, struggle or reach the shore in Buddhist readings.
Within this tradition
In the parable of the raft, in the Alagaddupama Sutta, the Buddha tells of a man who must cross a great river. This shore is dangerous, the far shore safe, but there is no boat or bridge. He binds branches and leaves into a raft and paddles with hands and feet to the other side. Once ashore, he need not carry the raft on his back. So is the teaching, says the Buddha: for crossing over, not for holding on to.
In another text life is compared to a flood, the ogha, of craving, views and ignorance. Whoever crosses the flood, says the Buddha, does so neither by standing still nor by struggling, but without holding on and without being carried away.
Along those lines a swimming dream can be read as an image of your relationship to what sweeps you along. Struggling against the current can point to resistance to what is. Swimming smoothly to the far side, as a path you walk with calm effort. And a dream in which you find a raft or something that keeps you afloat, as support in practice, or people who help you cross.
After a dream in which you nearly drown, a short breathing meditation can help: attention to the breath is in Buddhism one of the simplest ways to feel ground under your feet again.
Common variations
Swimming against the current
Resistance to what is; perhaps you can let go without being carried away.
Reaching the far shore
A path you walk with calm effort.
Finding a raft
Support in practice, or people who help you cross.
Nearly drowning
Being overwhelmed: come back to the breath.
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Write your dream in the appFrequently asked questions
What is the parable of the raft?
The Buddha compares his teaching to a raft for crossing a river: useful for getting across, not for holding on to.
What is the ogha?
The flood of craving, views and ignorance that according to the Buddha sweeps people along.
Does such a dream predict anything?
Buddhism is sober: many dreams arise from what occupies the mind. The image can still help you look at your life with attention.