Dreams Quote by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
““In sleep a person passes in and out of two stages, dreaming and dreamless sleep. In the first, consciousness is withdrawn from the body and senses but still engaged in the mind. In dreamless sleep, however, consciousness is withdrawn from the mind as well. Then the thinking process – even the sense of “I” – is temporarily suspended, and consciousness is said to rest in the Self. In this state a person ceases to be a separate creature, a separate personality. In dreamless sleep, the Upanishads say, a king is not a king nor a pauper poor; no one is old or young, male or female, educated or ignorant. When consciousness returns to the mind, however, the thinking process starts up again, and personality returns to the body.””
About This Quote
Source Text: Upanishads, ancient Hindu scripture, circa 800–200 BC
The passage describes two sleep states: dreaming, where mind remains active, and dreamless, where consciousness rests in the Self, dissolving personal identity.
In simple terms: Dreamless sleep is a temporary loss of self‑identity, returning upon waking.
Key Takeaway
Recognize moments of ego‑dissolution as opportunities for inner peace.
Themes
spirituality
consciousness
identity
sleep
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
tranquil
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
spiritual
reflective
When to use this quote
- meditation retreats
- deep sleep
- mindfulness practice
- philosophical study
- psychology research
Key Concepts
non‑dualism
self
transcendence
mind‑body dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing the self‑dissolution in sleep affect your waking sense of identity?
- Can you experience a glimpse of this state through meditation?
A Different Perspective
The description is metaphorical and may not align with modern neuroscience of sleep stages.
