dull after sleep, then that sleep has been tamasic. Disturbed, agitated
sleep is rajasic. Sleep that brings lightness, brightness, and freshness is
sattvic. Sleep, to use the metaphor again, is like an open rose returning
to the bud. The senses of perception rest in the mind, the mind in the
consciousness, the consciousness in the being. This sounds like a de
scription of exactly what we are trying to achieve through yoga, so
surely there is something to be learned. We even return to innocence in
sleep. No sleeper can be a sinner.
Because the mind and senses are at rest, a negative state of void ex
ists, a feeling of emptiness or absence. It can be described as negative
because the present and aware state of consciousness is absent. The
goal of the student of yoga is to transform this into a positive state of
mind while awake. The senses and the mind close up like a bud, but a
witness remains alert. This is a pure state in which the self is free from
the accumulations of experience. The movements of consciousness are
calmed. Peaceful deep sleep, experienced while alert and awake, is
samadhi. When the mind is controlled and still, what remains is the
soul. The absence of ego in the state of sleep is akin to samadhi, but it
is dull and without awareness. Samadhi is the egolessness of sleep com
bined with the vibrancy of intelligence.
When we are in deep sleep, we lose our ego, our "1-ness." We
forget who we are and return to the cosmic, eternal mind. There is a
brief moment on awaking, before "!"-consciousness returns, when we
can just glimpse this tranquil, egoless state. It should be our guide. It
is a natural window onto the meditative mind in which we realize that
we are one and learn to accept. When the ego is quiescent, our sense
of pride lessens. We are receptive and become more understanding. We
are not offended by life's affronts. We become insulated from anxiety
and anguish both within and without.
The practice of yoga teaches us to deal with each task in the day
as it arises, and then to put it down. This might include answering our
letters or returning our calls, doing the washing up, letting anger drop
1\ K � I Y 1·. N 1; II II