Lucid dreams and deep sleep

[Guest guest]

Jan, Harvey, Harsha & Friends,

 

Lucid dreams generally refer to the conscious control of the dream

state, not deep sleep, which is something different. Yogis, both

Tibetan and Indian usually refer to 4 distinct states or categories

of experience: waking conciousness, the subtle or dreams state, deep

sleep and realization. the latter is frequently approached through

various forms of meditation, among which is a kind of yogic dream

state called turiya.

 

I don't recall specific mention of turiya in Tibetan texts, but it is

a commonly described state in Shaivite and yogic texts.

 

yours in the bonds,

eric

 

 

 

 

, "ecirada" <janb@a...> wrote:

> On 3/7/02 at 11:42 AM Harvey Schneider wrote:

> Harsha wrote:

>

> "Memory can disappear in either sleep or Nirvikalpa Samadhi."

>

> I have heard that in sleep the sense of separateness disappears

into the absolute, which, according to this understanding, accounts

for the refreshment and renewal we experience on awakening from sleep.

>

> Question: What is the difference between sleep and Nirvikalpa

Samadhi.

>

> During sleep, all cognition stops, the mind shuts down which can be

observed too, at the

> risk of being catapulted to full awareness from the 'between awake

and sleeping'.

> Whereas during Nirvikalpa Samadhi, functioning of mind and senses

is suspended while

> the potential to function fully remains, contrary to sleep where

that potential is switched off.

>

> I have never had any memory of consciousness during sleep although

someone, probably on some list or other, reported training himself to

be aware during sleep. I'm not sure whether that is possible. Does

anyone have any knowledge or experience that would bear on this point?

>

> In Tibetan Buddhism some can be found on dream yoga.

> After a successful practice, there is experience with lucid dreams,

> and also that awareness continues. The main advantage of such

practice

> is to be aware in dreams as to 'who you are'. Read some on Gaudapa

> who concluded there isn't a fundamental difference between dreaming

> and waking: after a successful practice of dream yoga you'll agree.

>

> Having lend the only book on the subject i had, i can't give the

title.

>

> Jan