Life is like a dream

According to my understanding of Buddhist philosophy, appearances are like a dream. But, if appearances are like a dream, why can't I simply crash my car into a tree, since after all, I would only be dreaming it? I think the answer is that, although appearances are illusory, my mind would not be able to carry that awareness through a car crash. My body would be shocked, and my mind would quickly become attached to confused appearances of the world. Moreover, as it is attached to the appearances of this world, it will also be subject to its laws of physics and karma. So I would die, and my mind would be reborn in a lower realm, as that is where the wind of karma would probably blow me, even though that karmic wind is actually an illusion. On the other hand, an enlightened master, when he or she dies, will be able to maintain their awareness through the death process and remain unattached to appearances. Of course, I'll bet most of my readers regard this worldview skeptically. :) A less controversial example of the same phenomenon is sleep. Most of us cannot maintain our awareness when we sleep. However, some people can lucidly dream. In fact, my Buddhist practice has increased my skill in this regard, though it is still rudimentary. Other people can witness their own deep sleep. They experience states where they are aware and present, watching their mind in the deepest phases of sleep. I read about this, and someone I know actually does this sometimes. An realized master, on the other hand, can maintain his or her awareness throughout their sleep.