MIND MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 5. THE 3 STATES OF MIND - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries & Control

THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - 5. THE 3 STATES OF MIND - Sri Swami Sivananda - Complete Works with FULL English Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

This chapter delves into the intricate workings of the mind through its three primary states of consciousness: waking (jagrat), dreaming (svapna), and deep sleep (sushupti). Each state provides insights into the mind's nature and its connection to the soul and ultimate reality. A profound understanding of these states is essential for spiritual growth and self-realization. 

The Waking State (Jagrat)
In the waking state, the individual identifies with the physical body and engages with the external world through the mind's modifications. Here, consciousness is bound by sensory perceptions and external stimuli. The mind, during this state, occupies the brain and operates through the senses to perceive and interact with gross objects. Swami Sivananda explains that in this state, the soul is limited by its association with the body and the mind. It identifies with external phenomena and physicality, losing its awareness of the deeper, eternal reality. This state is marked by duality, where the seer perceives the seen as separate and distinct. 

The Dreaming State (Svapna)
Dreaming arises when the mind withdraws from the senses and enters the subtle realm of the Hita Nadi, an energy channel near the heart. In this state, the senses are inactive, and the mind operates independently, creating and experiencing its own reality. In dreams, the mind plays the dual role of creator and experiencer. It constructs dream objects—mountains, rivers, animals, or people—using impressions gathered from waking experiences. These objects appear real to the dreamer but vanish upon waking. Swami Sivananda highlights that the dream state serves as a mirror of the waking state, reflecting the impressions and desires that dominate one's waking consciousness. The difference between the waking and dreaming states lies in the source of the mind's impressions. In waking, the mind relies on external stimuli, whereas, in dreaming, it creates its impressions internally. Despite this distinction, both states share an illusory quality, as their perceived realities are temporary and dependent on the mind's modifications. 

The Waking State as a Long Dream
Swami Sivananda draws a compelling parallel between the waking and dreaming states, suggesting that the waking state is merely a prolonged dream. Just as dreams dissolve upon waking, the waking world too dissolves when one realizes the ultimate truth, Brahman. Recognizing the illusory nature of the waking state can free one from pain and attachment, enabling the seeker to perceive the eternal reality that underlies all states of consciousness. 

The Dreaming-Waking State
Sivananda introduces the concept of a "dreaming-waking state," a condition in which one engages in imaginative thinking or recollects past events and dreams during the waking state. Examples include daydreaming or recalling distant memories. This state reflects the interplay between waking and dreaming consciousness, further blurring the boundaries between the two. 

The Deep Sleep State (Sushupti)
Deep sleep occurs when the mind enters the Puritat Nadi, another energy channel near the heart. In this state, the mind ceases its activity, senses are withdrawn, and consciousness merges into a state of undifferentiated unity. Here, the ego and mind dissolve into their causal form, and the individual experiences rest and bliss. Though devoid of thoughts and sensory experiences, deep sleep is not a state of non-being. Sivananda emphasizes that the self continues to exist, as evidenced by the recollection of the peacefulness experienced during sleep. Vedantic philosophy builds upon this state to explore the concept of non-duality, using it as a gateway to understanding the unified nature of existence.