Dreams are a fascinating subject. Some of their essence, with dreams-within-dreams situations have been described in the 'Inception' film.
It is one of the few hollywood films I saw which is actually thought provocking.
they correctly described the dilation of time while dreaming and introduced an exponential dilation of time while plunging into deeper layers of dreams.
If you didn't see it I suggest it, notwithstanding the celebrities.
As far as I can recall I only had dreams within dreams (I dreamt to dream) but it is possible that someone had more layers of dream experience (dream to dream to dream to dream; this would involve 4 awakenings before hitting objective reality. which we also know is a dream itself.
Also, in my experience and based on objective measurements and estimates, time in the first level of dreams can be 5-10 times longer than time in the objective reality.
My dreams have been more prominent and seemingly meaningful lately. It seems like working and keeping constantly busy snuffles out some of these alternate realities which lie within us all; when and if we can be receptive. Sometimes it is good to have some leisure time to tune in to these areas even though the howling wolf is at our door with worldly concerns.