Vigyan Bhairava Tantra
Sutra – 75 & 86
According to spirituality, consciousness manifests in four states of awareness. The first is the waking state, where we are consciously trying to sleep. At this stage, we gradually disconnect from the external world. In psychology, this is known as NREM-N1.
The second state occurs when we have fallen asleep and begin to dream. At this stage, we are almost entirely detached from the external environment. In this state, what we experience is an effort of the subconscious and unconscious mind to show us various aspects of our inner world. This differs slightly from the psychological definition of NREM-N2, which states that no dreams occur in this stage. However, spirituality asserts that dreams do arise in this state.
The third state is deep sleep, where nothing happens. In this state, we enter a realm where duality dissolves; there is no “two.” This state is characterized by darkness and emptiness—non-duality. Everything merges into oneness. At this stage, we are completely severed from external consciousness. This is the state sought in meditation and aligns fully with psychology’s NREM-N3.
The fourth state, known as Turiya, is beyond even deep sleep. Turiya, or the “fourth state,” is extensively discussed in spiritual texts. It is the state of achieving Sat-Chit-Ananda (truth-consciousness-bliss). Here, divine realizations occur. In psychology, this state is akin to the super-conscious state, also referred to as the state of self-realization. It bears some resemblance to the REM stage in psychology.
Spirituality posits that we are never truly awake. At all times, we are wandering in a dream world. This is why spirituality declares that the world is an illusion—Maya. A yogi is the only one who is truly awake because they recognize that everything in this world is merely a drama. To understand this, consider that whenever we close our eyes, some thought or vision immediately appears as a dream. Watching films or dramas appeals to us because they resonate with the ceaseless inner drama of our minds. This habitual mental state has conditioned us deeply. However, when excessive dreams disturb our sleep, we feel distressed. This happens because we have been overly focused on worldly thoughts. When we lose control of our minds, the subconscious projects an overwhelming amount of these thoughts during sleep, which is precisely what we wish to avoid seeing.
Now, Let Us Move Toward the Technique
Issues like insomnia, shallow sleep, excessive dreaming, experiencing apparitions or eerie sounds in the state between waking and sleeping, being unable to move a limb, or feeling sudden intense itching or pain often occur in people who overthink, harbor fear or doubt, or suffer from mental health issues. If such experiences happen to someone practicing meditation, it could indicate they are trying too hard, rushing to achieve results, or attempting to escape their thoughts. It might also suggest they are suppressing their thoughts or practicing meditation incorrectly.
Our minds are conditioned to a particular mode of functioning. Whenever we try to deviate from this, the mind resists. For example, lying on your side and trying to recall a specific event or dream might feel impossible because the mind is used to processing information in a certain way. Similarly, meditation is challenging because constant thinking is deeply ingrained in the mind.
This method is suitable for everyone. By adhering to the prescribed technique, we can utilize the mind’s ingrained habits to advance gradually into meditation and achieve higher states of awareness. It may take time and might require guidance, but even self-practice will yield positive results.
The Technique
At bedtime, lie on your back in Shavasana (corpse pose, as per physical yoga), and attempt to sleep. Begin by recalling pleasant moments of your life and try to immerse yourself in them. Gradually, you will transition from the first state of consciousness to the second. At this point, you are trying to sleep while thoughts or dreams begin to arise. Here, your connection to the external world is severed, but you remain within the realm of your inner body and mind.
This technique advises that even while sleeping, one must maintain awareness. Instead of being overtaken by the mind, consciously think and stay alert. Over weeks or months of practice, you will transcend these thoughts and progress to the third state. In this state, there is complete darkness and silence, but neither you nor your body exists. You transition from duality to non-duality. This is the third state of consciousness, where you experience being asleep while remaining awake. This zero-state is rare in meditation but can be attained effortlessly through this method.
If sleep ensues in this state, it becomes Yogic Sleep. If you remain awake in this state but recall nothing upon waking—no dreams—it signifies you have progressed beyond the zero-state, reaching a level equivalent to Samadhi. In both cases, upon waking, you will feel refreshed, positive, and increasingly free from unnecessary thoughts.
Key Points to Remember:
- Avoid sleeping in your usual posture. For example, those accustomed to sleeping on their stomachs or sides should practice lying on their backs in Shavasana. This posture should become habitual for this method to work.
- Your breathing should be slow and steady. Recall only positive, joyful memories while lying down. Focus entirely on these memories, avoiding distractions from your mind. Prepare these thoughts beforehand to avoid deviation.
- Continue practicing for several days, and then consciously move beyond the recalled memory, much like shifting focus after watching a film.
- The zero-state may take varying amounts of time for different individuals—some achieve it in days, others in months. The sign of success is waking up feeling refreshed and unable to discern whether you were asleep or awake. Beyond this lies the Turiya state.
- Never force the process or allow the mind to dominate. Decide what to think or envision before sleeping.
This method, practiced with patience and consistency, can guide one toward the profound states of meditation and spiritual awakening.
