Why do we dream?

Why do we dream? Various answers have been given to this question. Dreams are nothing but a reflection of our waking experience in a new form. The medical view is that dreams are due to some organic disturbances somewhere in the body, but more particularly in the stomach. Sometimes coming diseases appear in dreams.- Swami Sivananda

The word dream stems from

Keep in mind that the word dream stems from the Middle English word dreme, meaning joy and music. . - By BryanJ / Source: The List Universe

It is almost traditional

It is almost traditional in many cultures to try to remember one's dreams, and dreamologists will even interpret them for you. This all borders close to the realm of superstition and is far less desirable for spiritual growth than other more pragmatic types of practices. A beginner on the path, or even one in the intermediate phase, should endeavor to forget dreams and strengthen the fibers of the mind and psyche through daily sadhana. There is actually a time, on the yoga marga, after the charya and kriya margas have been well mastered and passed through, that the remembrance of one's dreams is beneficial and fruitful, but this would only be between the guru and the shishya. - from Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

The study of dreams is known as oneirology

Every year scientific groups and national organizations conduct studies and experiments examining human dreams. The study of dreams is known as oneirology. Progress is being made in this area of work, but as a population we know very little about the content and purpose of our dreams. One thing is for sure, the images, thoughts, and emotions that pass through our bodies during sleep can greatly influence our outlook on life. - By BryanJ / Source: The List Universe

Without leaps of imagination

"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." — Gloria Steinem

The waking and dreaming states

The waking and dreaming states do not exist independently side by side as real units. - Swami Sivananda

A dream is a microscope

A dream is a microscope through which we look at the hidden occurrences in our soul.
Eric Fromm