Jeff,
It sounds to me you are in some type of subliminal state, conscious but with unconscious contents still available while awake. It would be rare but not wholly unusual {unusual to be in such a state}. The streaming but indiscernible data would be unconscious contents that have not been completely processed {your dreams are attempting to sort through your emotions and help resolve any conflicts}. Even in this state the dream is still trying to process the emotional data. There are major issues that need to be recognized {capital letters} as well as minor issues from day to day conflicts {lower case letters}. We all have both type of emotional issues and dreams are processing both using the same images/symbols. Numbers are also data that needs to be processed {specific numbers or combinations all have meaning}. Because you feel there is no rhyme or reason to which 'column' they belong may indicate something about your emotional life. Because you are in a subliminal state you are within the realms of the unconscious and any emotional structures would still come through.

There also seems to be some lucid dreaming as well {directing the motion}. That may contribute to the subliminal state since both involve conscious control while in an unconscious state {subconscious state}. Dreams are not only processing the data {emotional experiences} from the previous day, they are processing emotional experiences from your whole life {including childhood where the foundations of who you are as an adult are formed}. The mind is a computer {of sorts}. Dreams are nature's device to help resolve the 'spread sheets'of emotions from life. Because dreams have a language of symbol and metaphor the 'Excel' {that word alone may have meaning excelling in life} spread sheets would not be merely a literal thing but symbolic {it can be both if you actually work with spread sheets}. What is ingrained in your mind are those experiences/influences those possessed enough emotional energy to be stored. Those stored energies are what unconsciously contribute if not control your conscious life.

The fcat this began 5 years ago may be significant. Was there anything particularly emotional that occurred at that time {or just before}? You are just past mid way of the mid-life stage of life {35-60}. The number 5 comes up twice in your post {even numbers used in this form can have meaning, notations of emotional energies}. The number 5 can be symbolic for 'changes'. From 5 to 6 may indicate a transformation in your personal 'spread sheet'. A 'fast paced' life going through the normal changes in the stages of life.

Jerry

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 64 Cocoa, Fl

Have You Posted Before? Date of Last Post {Use Search and Your Post Name to Help Find Last Post} Male

How Did You Find the Dream Forum? Yes