Dreams and visions/Theories

From Lostpedia

• Most, if not all, these dreams and visions are caused by the Monster.
• The Island is a waypoint for the dead. For visions of the dead, there is a distinction drawn between visions of people who died off-island and dreams of those who died on the island. Those who died in reality, off-island (such as Christian Shephard, Ben's mother, and Yemi) re-appear on the island to otherwise conscious and lucid characters. They interact with the characters and seem to be a part of reality and the environment. Conversely, those who died on the island appear only in dreams (such as Ana Lucia's visitation to Eko in his sleep) or drug-induced hallucinations (Boone's role in Locke's vision quest)--they do not "re-appear." Those who "die" on the island move on to their final destination, assisted by The Monster.
• When Locke's father appears, he claims that he died right before he appeard on the island. His interaction with Locke is consistent with the other visions of the dead, in that he appears to be living again on the island.
• When Richard Alpert first meets Ben and finds out his mother is dead, he asks, "She died here, on the island?" When Ben indicates that she did not, Richard knowingly follows with "Have you seen her, out here, Ben? In the jungle?" Richard knows that the island can summon those who died off the island.
• The visions are caused by either the island or Jacob, and only appear to those with some connection to the island . i.e , Locke , Ben, Desmond and Jack.
• Aaron has a stong connection to the island via dreams. When [{Sawyer]] asked Kate if she was sleeping well over at Claire's with the baby being there, Kate responds saying that Aaron's a good sleeper. (minor interaction)