Vigyan Bhairava Tantra

Sutra – 75 & 86

Sleep: A Vital Aspect of Life

Sleep is an integral part of our lives, occupying nearly one-third of our existence. Did you know that even when you sleep, your body does not truly rest? During this time, your body repairs itself, addressing any deficiencies or weaknesses. This is why doctors emphasize that quality sleep is essential for maintaining good health. Yet, despite this knowledge, we often disregard the importance of sleep. When faced with significant tasks or challenges, we tend to sacrifice our sleep. Over time, this practice invites weakness or illness, seemingly without cause.

Let us first understand the patterns of sleep from a scientific perspective, which will provide clarity on the methods suggested in this sutra.

The Science of Sleep

When we fall asleep, our conscious mind also rests, yet the brain remains active. Psychologists have discovered that sleep consists of multiple stages, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. The two primary stages of sleep are:

1. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, during which, despite closed eyes, rapid movement of the pupils occurs. REM sleep constitutes roughly 25% of total sleep time. During this stage, awareness of the external environment is drastically reduced. Muscles become inactive, which is beneficial as it prevents us from acting out our dreams.
2. Non-Rapid Eye Movement (Non-REM) sleep, which involves deeper stages of sleep. Non-REM sleep is divided into three stages: N1, N2, and N3.

Stages of Non-REM Sleep

1. Stage N1 (Transitional Sleep):
   This is the initial phase of sleep when the body begins to relax. Drowsiness, light sleep, or brief moments of nodding off occur in this stage. Muscle strength diminishes slightly, and awareness of the surroundings fades. Some individuals may experience sudden jerks or mild hallucinations during this phase. Lasting between 5 and 15 minutes, N1 is a preparatory stage for deeper sleep.
2. Stage N2 (Light Sleep):
   In this stage, muscle activity decreases further, and awareness of the environment vanishes. This phase comprises about half of the total sleep time in adults. Lasting 10 to 25 minutes, it marks the transition into deeper sleep.
3. Stage N3 (Deep Sleep):
   This is the deepest level of sleep. It is during this phase that sleep-related phenomena like sleepwalking, talking, nightmares, or bedwetting can occur. Despite the deep state of rest, the body remains aware of critical external stimuli, such as smoke in the room or a child crying, allowing for potential responses even in deep sleep. This dual awareness reflects the body’s ability to remain alert to the outside world while in restorative rest.

REM Sleep

After completing the three stages of Non-REM sleep, the brain becomes active again, transitioning into REM sleep approximately 90 minutes after falling asleep. In Non-REM sleep, the body becomes completely still, and external connections are nearly severed. Heart rate and respiration slow down, while facial expressions remain calm.

Conversely, during REM sleep, physical and mental activity increases. Heart rate accelerates, facial muscles twitch, and rapid eye movements occur. Dreams experienced during this phase are vivid, and individuals who wake up during REM sleep often report dream recall.

REM sleep is an emotionally charged state where physical and mental arousal occurs. Movements such as tossing and turning happen in this stage. In some cases, individuals may experience sleep paralysis—a condition where the mind becomes alert while the body remains immobile. This phenomenon, though common once or twice a year for most people, may occur more frequently for those with sleep disorders.

NREM vs. REM

In NREM sleep, the body is completely relaxed, with minimal physical activity and almost no interaction with the external world. In contrast, REM sleep reactivates the mind’s awareness of the surroundings while the body remains paralyzed.

For individuals experiencing sleep paralysis, this transition can be disorienting. They may feel half-awake and half-asleep, unable to move their limbs. Hallucinations such as visions of spirits or hearing voices can occur, rooted in the mind’s projections rather than reality. Fear, psychological trauma, or overexposure to supernatural stories often exacerbate such experiences. Though science has yet to fully understand the causes of sleep paralysis, it is attributed to mental stress, fear, or substance abuse.

Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia can stem from various physical or psychological factors, including:

• Pain due to injury or illness.
• Stress, financial concerns, or relationship difficulties.
• Disruptions to sleep patterns caused by shift work or significant time-zone changes.

Occasionally, individuals suffering from insomnia may experience disturbing sleep, leaving them unrested despite sleeping. Anxiety about insomnia can further worsen the problem, creating a vicious cycle where the fear of being unable to sleep keeps the individual awake.

Recognizing these challenges centuries ago, this sutra was developed to address them.

The Spiritual Perspective

Spiritual practices emphasize the importance of deep sleep, particularly yogic sleep, to ensure complete physical and mental restoration. This state, achieved through meditation and mindfulness before sleep, aligns the body and mind, facilitating rejuvenation and balance.

In the next section, we will explore the integration of psychological insights and spiritual practices to uncover effective solutions.