I am wandering a museum. I stop and see a portrait of the god Shiva. Then, he crawls from the painting and begins to kill everyone around me. People flee, screaming, from the museum. I run and Shiva chases me. I leap from a bridge into the water for safety, but Shiva leaps in behind me. I wash along shore on a white sand beach. Shiva washes up behind me. I am afraid but then he starts to cry. He says that he is tired of destruction and wants the world to be liberated and at peace. I touch his face to wipe his tears, and his skin sheds from black to blue. I tell him I will help him liberate the world. By the way, I'm not Hindu.
This dream is quite symbolic and can have multiple interpretations. However, based on the imagery and progression of events, it appears to represent a personal transformation and a desire for inner peace and liberation.
Wandering a museum suggests a search for knowledge and understanding. The discovery of the portrait of Shiva may symbolize encountering powerful and transformative forces within yourself. Shiva crawling out of the painting and killing everyone around you may represent the destructive aspects of your own personality or a fear of your own power.
People fleeing and screaming indicates the chaos and fear that often accompany major transformations in life. Running from Shiva suggests a desire to escape or avoid confronting these transformative forces. However, leaping from the bridge into the water represents a willingness to take risks and dive into the depths of your true self.
Washing ashore on a white sand beach signifies a fresh start or a clean slate. Shiva washing up behind you suggests that the transformative forces are still present, but his tears indicate a desire for change, peace, and liberation. Shiva's shedding of black skin to blue can symbolize the shedding of negative traits or emotions, and the blue color often represents tranquility and spirituality.
Your act of touching Shiva's face to wipe his tears shows empathy and compassion. It signifies your willingness to embrace and help facilitate positive change and transformation in yourself and the world around you. It doesn't necessarily mean you need to adhere to a specific religious belief; instead, it suggests a deeper connection with the divine and a personal commitment to promote peace and liberation.
Overall, this dream seems to be encouraging you to embrace your inner power, confront any destructive tendencies, and actively work towards personal and global transformation.