What is sleep consciousness? (2nd attempt, need feedback)

[Guest guest]

Please, I need some feedback from those of you farther down the path

than I...

 

Ramana mentioned a 'subtle ego' that is active when we dream. What

is this state of consciousness?

 

I wake from the sleep state feeling wonderful. I believe it is the

absense of ego identification which allows this during this time?

 

I noticed recently when watching a movie the same state of

consciousness I have when dreaming. It felt almost identical. I was

lost in the movie and noticing it allowed me to remain in that state

for over a day. I felt unmovable, grounded, my focus of attention

had been ripped from the physical world and now was free.

 

I've become confused, wondering if this is being more conscious or

less conscious. I understand that while getting older there is a

tendency to escape by letting one's attention roam free. Attaching

to whatever floats by. One can achieve the same feeling as during

sleep and dreaming for short intervals during the day. One's

attention is simply not focused.

 

Is this some type of lure of the unconscious I must avoid at all

costs? Does maintaining of the " I AM " keep one from daydreaming or

becomeing identified in fantasy or otherwise?

 

Shawn (the other one).

[Guest guest]

hi shawn,

 

Nisargadatta , " Shawn " <shawnregan> wrote:

> Please, I need some feedback from those of you farther down the

path

> than I...

 

i dunno about that. on the so called no-path of consciousness, no

one is farther or behind.

 

> Ramana mentioned a 'subtle ego' that is active when we dream. What

> is this state of consciousness?

 

in dreams, the ego, the identification with the precious " me, " takes

the form of a dream character. without consciousness, there's no

dream state. it is safe to say that dreams are another state of

consciousness. what are dreams? this is really a question for

science.

 

> I wake from the sleep state feeling wonderful. I believe it is the

> absense of ego identification which allows this during this time?

 

or the mind/ego rested and ready to the interpret the reality

again.

 

> I noticed recently when watching a movie the same state of

> consciousness I have when dreaming. It felt almost identical. I was

> lost in the movie and noticing it allowed me to remain in that

state

> for over a day. I felt unmovable, grounded, my focus of attention

> had been ripped from the physical world and now was free.

 

i noticed that too. sometimes a good movie with a certain rhythm can

change the patterns of thinking in my mind. even after the movie

ends, the ego still pretends to be the cool movie character, existing

in a wonderful world that functions according to its plans. there's

a certain level of confort, pretending to be in a magical world that

we control. after all which red blooded male wouldn't want to be

james bond? this does not last though...our pattern kicks in at some

point.

 

> Is this some type of lure of the unconscious I must avoid at all

> costs?

 

not if you're having fun! who said you must avoid it? i don't think

advaita teachers ever prescribe anyone what they must or must not

do. all they do is describe their own state.

 

> Does maintaining of the " I AM " keep one from daydreaming or

> becomeing identified in fantasy or otherwise?

 

" i am " means consciousness...

or awareness of awareness itself.

when you focus on consciousness,

as consciousness,

that's the " i am. "

it's non-verbal,

in silence,

the laziest thing one can do conceptually,

with no demand on the intellect,

and yet it's the most amazing.

 

maharaj was always honest that the only thing he talked about was

consciousness. he was not an educated scholar who had answers for

every possible subject.

that's really all advaita folks can tell you: consciousness.

anything beyond that is the mind stuff.

[Guest guest]

on 7/15/03 12:00 PM, Shawn at shawnregan wrote:

 

> Please, I need some feedback from those of you farther down the path

> than I...

>

> Ramana mentioned a 'subtle ego' that is active when we dream. What

> is this state of consciousness?

 

Hi Shawn,

 

First, let me cover my ass here and say that like Hur, I don't believe in

this " further along the path " stuff. As for this subtle ego, it is just that

identity is confused and bound (or identified with) thought. As apposed to

waking state and its added bonus of being identified with the physical body.

 

 

> I wake from the sleep state feeling wonderful. I believe it is the

> absense of ego identification which allows this during this time?

 

 

yes.

 

 

 

> I noticed recently when watching a movie the same state of

> consciousness I have when dreaming. It felt almost identical. I was

> lost in the movie and noticing it allowed me to remain in that state

> for over a day.

 

This is why I didn't venture to respond before; this statement that " you

were lost, " and then the noticing it part....do you see how this is

contradicting. Who noticed? When you are lost in deep sleep or in the movie,

this is *unaware* as apposed to more aware. More aware notices trains of

thought, emotional reactions and so forth. Being " lost in thought " is

because of the strong identification with the " thinker " ...the same is true

of being lost in a movie; you are identified with the " one " watching a

movie.

 

 

 

I felt unmovable, grounded, my focus of attention

> had been ripped from the physical world and now was free.

 

Here again is the contradiction. Feeling grounded and unmovable is not

" lost. "

 

 

> I've become confused, wondering if this is being more conscious or

> less conscious. I understand that while getting older there is a

> tendency to escape by letting one's attention roam free. Attaching

> to whatever floats by. One can achieve the same feeling as during

> sleep and dreaming for short intervals during the day. One's

> attention is simply not focused.

 

Never mind what you've been told about getting older, " who " is

confused...*who* is the one grounded or whatever.

 

 

> Is this some type of lure of the unconscious I must avoid at all

> costs? Does maintaining of the " I AM " keep one from daydreaming or

> becomeing identified in fantasy or otherwise?

 

Don't avoid anything. Being interested (as you seem to be) in your own

prosess is the important thing here. Who feels grounded? When you are lost,

are you " grounded " ?

 

> Shawn (the other one).

 

Hope this helps.

 

)))))Shawn (the other one)