Rupert Spira’s teachings delve into profound aspects of consciousness, encouraging a deeper understanding of one’s true nature. A recent discussion highlighted parallels between Tibetan Buddhist dream yoga and Spira’s concept of remaining in “deep sleep” while awake.
Dream yoga aims to fall asleep consciously, transitioning from dreamful to dreamless states. Spira, however, suggests a more intricate practice — deep sleep yoga. This involves remaining awake while fully immersing in the state of deep sleep, akin to abiding in pure being.
A poignant example shared by Spira involves Ramana Maharshi, who, when questioned about another sage’s teachings, responded that he was deeply asleep. This metaphor indicates abiding in a state of pure being, free from thoughts and perceptions. Spira emphasizes that this practice transcends mere meditative states, advocating for a life led by simply being, thus living in alignment with pure awareness or God.
Deep sleep, in Spira’s teaching, represents the natural condition of being before any experience arises. This state, uncolored by thoughts, images, sensations, or perceptions, remains fundamentally constant. In waking or dreaming states, being is the same but momentarily colored by sensory inputs or thoughts. When these vanish, whether in physical sleep or deep sleep yoga, the truth of being remains as innate awareness.
The practice Spira advocates involves staying in this state of pure being consistently. Whether amidst the sensory experiences of waking life or the absence of such experiences in sleep, the essence remains unchanged. This understanding encourages abiding in the awareness of being, ultimately leading to a life imbued with peace and presence.
An interesting exploration is the state of dreamless sleep described by practitioners of dream yoga. Though abrupt and accompanied by a sense of floating and light, it’s a temporary state in the journey of consciousness. Spira’s approach simplifies this by suggesting that deep sleep is not a transient state, but the eternal state of being itself. Whether witnessing dreams fade or experiencing sensory inputs while awake, one’s being remains uninterrupted.
By understanding that deep sleep is not a separate state but the omnipresent condition of pure awareness, individuals can cultivate a continuous practice of remaining in this state. This is akin to “praying without ceasing” — an embodiment of being in God’s presence continuously, unperturbed by the arising or vanishing of thoughts or perceptions.
Spira’s teachings encourage the realization that remaining as being is not an elusive goal but the natural state of human consciousness. The journey then becomes one of recognizing and abiding in this innate state of deep sleep, regardless of external sensory experiences.
Exploring “deep sleep yoga” offers a path to harmonize the waking state with the intrinsic peace of being. This practice invites a radical shift in perception, aligning everyday life with the profound tranquility of pure awareness.
To delve deeper into these transformative insights, consider Rupert Spira’s book, The Transparency of Things: Contemplating the Nature of Experience. This work contemplates the ever-present nature of being and provides invaluable guidance for those on the path of self-awareness.
Readers are encouraged to watch the embedded video for a richer understanding of Spira’s teachings.
——
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services that we believe will add value to our readers. Thank you for your support!