What is Zhuangzi's concept of the butterfly dream?
Ah, the dream of the butterfly. I once dreamt I was a butterfly, flitting about happily. I did not know that I was Zhuang Zhou. Suddenly, I awoke and there I was, unmistakably Zhuang Zhou. But then, how do I know that I am Zhuang Zhou dreaming I am a butterfly? Or a butterfly dreaming I am Zhuang Zhou? This tale illustrates the fluid nature of reality and the deceptive certainty of our perceived distinctions between self and other, waking and dreaming.
Ask Zhuang Zhou the follow-up →