Sleep: curative effects + 6 more

Baba

Sleep: curative effects

Namaskar,

There are three types of sleep: (a) spiritual slumber where one has no interest in sadhana; (b) psychic sleep where one has no interest in the intellectual sphere - they may have a lot of physical energy and be spiritually inclined, but intellectually they are deficient; and, (c) physical sleep. In this letter we are talking about physical sleep.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


When humans should sleep

Some not familiar with proper sleeping habits may (a) sleep after paincajanya, (b) stay awake late into the night gossiping or watching movies or playing video games etc, or (c) engage in other types of unhealthy sleeping patterns. But all such ways are to be avoided.
                    
Sadguru Baba guides us in His various teachings that sleep plays a highly unique role in the life of all jiivas of this universe. Sleep is not a waste of time - but rather satisfies a very special function for the body and mind. Baba has provided us with all the dos and don'ts regarding sleep, as well as how it benefits human existence. One of the chief benefits of sleep is that it is a time when the body is given the opportunity to repair itself. The cells, the glands, the organs all get restored when one sleeps. Therefore, sleep plays a vital role in human health. So it is imperative to pay heed to Baba's following guidelines to maximize the benefit of sleep and optimize the body's ability to heal itself. As a general health rule, Baba states that people should sleep during the night - not during the day.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Sleeping during the day and staying awake at night are to be avoided." (1)


Why sleeping at night is beneficial

In Senior Acarya Diary, Baba clearly explains how and why nighttime sleeping is beneficial for human beings. His main point is that the pattern of keeping awake in the daytime and sleeping at night helps the body restore and revitalise itself. By this way, the blood cells, nerves, and glands of the human body get restored and charged. Because sunlight has a generating effect on the human body and moonlight makes one feel more tired. And other biological and natural effects are also linked with maintaining this type of sleep cycle (2).

That is why human beings feel fresh and revitalised in the morning. Because sleeping at night helps humans repair their body and regain their energy level - both mentally and physically. In the same chapter of Senior Acarya Diary, Baba tells us that there are various animals who derive benefits by following an opposite approach to sleeping and living. These are nocturnal beings - but for humans this approach is not good.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Sleep: Due to excessive physical and mental labour, the nerve-cells and nerve-fibres become fatigued and demand relaxation, forcing the conscious mind to cease functioning and producing the state of sleep. Often the subconscious ceases also, leaving only the unconscious to continue the work of the brain. However, sometimes the nerve-cells begin functioning during the latter part of the night, due to sudden heat in the back portion of the cranium or to an upward movement of gastric wind. The subconscious mind accordingly starts thinking or remembering, producing dreams. In the absence of the functioning of the conscious mind, these products of the subconscious are accepted as true and practical. Sometimes the dreamer actually believes that he is flying, for the non-functioning of the conscious mind prevents him from perceiving this idea to be pure imagination. Some people become extremely frightened by their dreams and produce inarticulate mutterings of fear; at times dreamers even die of heart failure. To assist a person out of a disturbing dream it helps to bring the person's hands or feet into contact with the ground, for this aids the conscious mind in beginning to function again." (3)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Daylight imposes mutative influence on the human nerves and night-time imposes a static influence, causing the inertness of sleep in the body and mind. The periods of sunrise, sunset, moon and midnight (the sandhyás) bring about a sentient transparency in the Citta." (4)


Proper sleeping patterns cure disease

A proper sleep cycle - i.e. sleeping at night - also plays an important role in curing and treating various diseases such as: Acidity, indigestion, heart disease, white leprosy, dementia, and cancer etc. In His book, Yogic Treatment, under the 'Do's and Don'ts' section Baba warns patients not to adopt a reverse sleeping pattern.

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "Sleeping during the day, staying awake at night... are to be strictly avoided." (5)

Not in one place, but in numerous instances throughout the book Baba issues this same warning - otherwise the disease cannot be cured. So following an improper sleeping pattern is hazardous to one's health.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 

Secrets for a long life

To maximize human longevity, Baba has given a short list of very important guidelines. And two of those are related with our sleep-awake cycle. Hence there are numerous benefits to maintaining a proper sleep schedule - one of which is longevity of life. In His secrets for a long life, Baba has given these points:

(A) "Going to sleep as soon as one feels sleepy." (6)

Here Baba is guiding us not to force the body to remain awake late at night. This should not become one’s regular way of living. Sometimes due to pressure of circumstance it may be unavoidable, but that should be minimized. Remember, the body enters into sleep mode in order to repair itself. If one continues to press the body beyond its limits by staying up late and not giving it the rest it needs, the body will not be adequately restored. On the opposite end of the spectrum, nor should one lie down in bed before they feel ready to go to sleep. So our standard practice should be to sleep when tiredness overcomes one's existence - i.e. "when one feels sleepy". And, as far as possible, through developing a regular habit, one should sleep each night at the same time, at a proper time that is not too late. That is the basic idea of Baba's teaching.

(B) "Getting out of bed in the Bra'hma Muhu'rtta [just prior to sunrise]" (7)

In this second directive, as is quite evident, Baba is guiding us to arise before daylight hours. That means getting up for paincjanaya and then staying awake. Some sadhakas wake up for paincajanya and then go back to sleep for 1, 2, or even 3 hours. Or one might justify to themselves that since they woke up for paincajanya then they can sleep again just after lunch etc. But this is not Baba's system. Arising in the pre-dawn hour means concluding one's sleep at that point and beginning one's spiritual routine of meditation and asanas and bathing and then later taking food and attending to one's allotted daily duties, work, and pracara activities etc. And one should not return back to bed until the end of day.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Following a standard sleep pattern of 'early to bed & early to rise' is an optimal approach for human beings. According to Ananda Marga philosophy, sleep is instrumental in leading a long and healthy life.
 

Memory & sleep are connected

Here is one important point related with sleeping and memory. While asleep, no one has the awareness to know that they are sleeping. There is a sense of emptiness or vacuity.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Nidrá, one of the main propensities. “Abhávapratyayá lambaniivrttih Nidra”. Nidra (sleep) is a propensity which brings vacuity in mind. In human beings the propensity that brings forth blankness is itself Nidrá. Suppose, you are resting on your bed. Your eyes are on the watch, you fall sleep, but when you get up, you fail to say at what moment actually you slept. Between sleeping and rising things occurred of which you are ignorant. There was vacuum, neither you were seeing anything nor hearing anything. This state of vacuity is Nidrá." (8)

Whereas if you are eating or walking, one is keenly aware they are eating and walking. That is the case with your daily activities; one's conscious mind is active. Even when you prepare for sleep, you remember that. But once one falls asleep, one does not know they are sleeping. Indeed, a person can document all they did during the day, but when sleeping that period is blank - one does not know what they are doing. In the thread of memory, there is a gap. So those who sleep in the daytime create more gaps in their memory. In taking short naps throughout the day, there will be a growing gap in one's memory. That brings dullness and dumbness. One's intellectual sharpness will decline.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Let's say one morning you read a chapter of a book and finish it by 11am. And then from 11am to 11:30am you remain awake and involve in other projects, then at 11:30am you will have a solid recollection of that chapter. In contrast, if you read a chapter from the same book and finish it by 11am, but then sleep from 11am - 11:30am, then at 11:30am your recollection of that chapter will not be as sharp. It will be comparatively worse than if you had remained awake. It will be faded or feel like a more distant memory. When you sleep then those events that occurred directly before sleep become more distant memories, whereas if you remain awake those events are more clearly recalled.
 
Sleeping one time in a 24-hour period is ok, but more than that is not good. Those who sleep more become dumb. Their power of recollection, i.e. memory, will wane.

Here are more teachings from Ananda Marga philosophy on this subject of sleep.


Extra and untimely sleep is very bad

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "A person who is given to too much sleep can never perform big things in life. A person who sleeps too long spends half of his or her lifetime in sleep only. So how will he or she find time to do noble deeds? Human life, after all, is not very long; and of that short span of life, if half is wasted on sleep only, then there will hardly be any time left for doing noble deeds. That's why it is said, a person who is given to too much sleep can never aspire to attain the peak of progress in life. Sleep is necessary for health, but many people wrongly think that the more one sleeps, the better it is for health. That is wrong. Human beings go to sleep because they want to work more. While working for long periods the body gets tired, and then only does one take sleep, just to get back fresh energy for work." (9)

It is often seen that students, in particular, adopt unhealthy sleeping patterns. They stay awake late into the night to attend to their studies and then they arise in the mid-morning - hours after sunrise. Part of the reason for this is that they find it easier to study when it is quiet; the mid hours of the night provide such an environment. This is especially true in so-called third world countries where all family members are living in the same house. In overseas areas, students often remain awake at night either due to extreme busyness in life or due to procrastination. In any event, as far as possible, students should adjust their routines according to Baba's guidelines.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

It is also seen that those working Mon - Fri often like to "sleep-in" on Saturdays and Sundays. Some students also like to do this. But this also is not a healthy practice. Then there are some people who are called "night owls." There are various professors and internet fanatics etc who spend large portions of the night glued to their various endeavours - and then they sleep far into the day. Unfortunately in this circumstance, the human body cannot be maintained for long in this type of backwards routine.
 

Too much sleep impairs one's health

At the same time, sleeping excess amounts during the night is not good for human beings. So people - especially sadhakas - should be very attentive to how much sleep they are getting, and be careful not to oversleep.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The ancient people believed that excessive sleep is good for health, but this is not the case. Rather, too much sleep not only impairs the health, but has an adverse effect on the mind." (10)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Mahamana’ Deva

The points expressed in this letter are for healthy adults. Children need more sleep and small infants should sleep most of the time. Those who are sick or aged need more rest to restore themselves as their bodily needs are different. So this letter about sleep is primarily for those who are healthy adults.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 

Nocturnal beings

Not all animals follow the same schedule as humans. Here following is a list of those animals that are nocturnal-- i.e. they sleep during the day and remain awake at night:

African hunting dog, Amethyst python, Armadillo, Aye-aye, Badger, Bandicoot, Bat, Beaver, Bullfrog, Bushbaby, Cassowary, Cat, Coyote, Deer, Deer mouse, Dobsonfly, Douroucouli, Echidna, Fennec, Firefly, Flying squirrel, Red Fox, Gecko, Gerbil, Ghost crab, Green Sea Turtle, Hamster, Snowshoe hare, Harvest mouse, Hedgehog, Heron, Hippopotamus, Hyena, Kangaroo rat, Kiwi, Koala, Leopard, Loris, Lumholtz tree-climbing kangaroo, Moth, Nightjar, Oilbird, Okapi, Opossum, Owl, Pangolin, Periwinkle, Possum, Potto, Raccoon, Rainforest dingo, Rat, Red-legged pademelon, Rhinoceros, Skunk, Sugar glider, Tiger, Tree frog, Weasel, Whippoorwill, White-tailed uromys, Wolf, Woodcock. As noted, humans are not on the list as being nocturnal.

References
1. Ananda Marga Caryacarya - 3, 'General Health Rules', pt #9
2. Reference: 'Pranayama' Chapter
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Samádhi, Senselessness and Sleep
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
5. Yogic Treatments, 'Cancer Chapter'
6. Caryacarya - 3, Appendix, point #3
7. Caryacarya - 3, Appendix, point #8
8. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Yoga & Bhakti
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Sleep and Inertia
10. Yogic Treatments, 'Cancer Chapter'

*        *        *

The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Revolving around Him

“Ekelá path cali kichute náhi t́ali, egiye cali ámi táhári t́áne..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0262)

Purport: 

I called everyone to move forward, but no one came so, by His divine grace, I am moving alone straight on His path, without worrying about any obstacles. I am marching forwards towards Him. By His mercy, my mind is clear and pointed. I have thrown away all the memories of my good and bad deeds of the past. These days my only song is chanting His glory.

By His grace, revolving around Him in this cosmic cycle, alas, numerous alluring entities come close to me then drift away. By destroying the mundane, intoxicating bondage of colourful worldly enticements, I always move towards Him.

By His krpa’, I have rooted out and thrown aside all the thorns which were on my path. In this way, I will clear the pathway for everyone. Remembering His eternal teachings of neo-humanism, I think and care about everyone's welfare. Their happiness is my joy. I am advancing ahead singing His name. By His exquisite pull and attraction I am marching onwards towards Him, by His kindness... 

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Main thing of spiritual life

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Suppose you meet a great karmi and ask him if he is successful in everything he undertakes. He will certainly say, “No.” If you ask him if he ever gets tired of working, he will say that he definitely gets tired on different occasions. And when he gets tired does he not ask Parama Puruśa to give him more strength? No matter how great a karmii one might be, one will have to eventually take shelter in Parama Puruśa, one will have to eventually surrender to Him." (1)

Note: In the life of a sadhaka on the spiritual journey, the first and foremost ingredient is surrender. In so many ways it is used. In the above quote, surrender is explained in a very simple way. 

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanartam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 2

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to choose Prabhat Samgiita songs

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "In the case of human beings, when they move around Parama Puruśa, one person moves, one person dances, unknowingly, another person knowingly. Those who are dancing, those who are moving, knowingly, always try to lessen the length of their radii." (1)

Every human being is unique, with their own radius to Parama Purusa - some are closer and some are further. Thus, what is a high degree of bhakti for one person may be a lower degree of bhakti for another. It depends entirely upon one's feeling for Parama Purusa. And even then, one's individual degree of bhakti may change from day to day - sometimes the mind is high, and sometimes one feels dry.

This is all to say that one cannot select a Prabhat Samgiita composition for anyone else. Best is for every aspirant to learn and study various songs, and then when they wish to listen they should select a song that feels most appropriate for them at that time, based on their mental feeling. Side by side, one should always try to learn new songs to expand their library and experience. This is the universal approach that every sadhaka should take with regards to Prabhat Samgiita.

References
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 12, Shortening the Radius

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Misplaced fear: population growth

Prout philosophy states, "Does a population problem actually exist? This issue should be considered in the perspective of two vital factors - the availability of food and the availability of space. Today human beings have enough resources to manage their food. Planet Earth is rich enough to feed a far greater number of people than the present population....[So] The tragedy is that there are enough resources to supply proper food to all human beings in the world, but the defect lies in the present approach of the existing socioeconomic systems." (1)


Population Growth

Prout philosophy states, "Is the population problem really a natural problem? The population problem should be considered in the context of two vital factors – the availability of food and the availability of space. Today human beings have sufficient means to manage their food. The earth is abundant enough in food resources to feed many times more than the present population. Due to lack of coordinated cooperation, collective effort, a proper ideology and sound planning, society has been fragmented into many belligerent groups and sub-groups, and rich and poor nations have been created. As a result of this fissiparous tendency, society is presently incapable of producing enough food to meet human requirements. The tragedy is that even though there are enough resources to supply nutritious food to all the human beings on the planet, due to the defective socio-economic systems, an efficient method of distribution has not been developed."

"Moreover, there is no shortage of living space on the planet if the existing space is properly utilized. Because the earth has been balkanized due to so many arbitrary social, economic and political restrictions and the pervasive influence of evil dogma, people are unable to tackle problems in a natural way. If there were maximum utilization and rational distribution of all natural resources, pressing socio-economic problems could be easily solved."

Prout philosophy states, "It is a law of nature that a mother is provided with sufficient breast milk to feed her newly born baby. In the same way nature has generously provided sufficient resources to meet the food and other essential requirements of all human beings. People need to utilize these natural resources in a proper way. Shortages of food or space cannot be blamed on nature. These problems are essentially the results of the mistakes made by human beings."

"It is a fact that the population of the world is rapidly increasing, and consequently many people have become frightened. In capitalist countries there are sufficient reasons for such fear. In these countries an increase in the population means a corresponding increase in the poverty of the people. But there is no reason for such fear in a collective economic system. In the event of shortages in food and accommodation people will collectively convert barren land into arable land, increase agricultural production by scientific methods and produce food by chemical processes using the potentiality of earth, water and air. And if this earth loses its productivity, then human beings will migrate to other planets and satellites and settle there."

Prout philosophy states, "If people living in capitalist countries voluntarily adopt birth control methods to avoid economic hardship, perhaps we should not criticize them. But it should be mentioned here that using birth control methods which deform the bodies of men and women or destroy their reproductive powers forever cannot be supported, because this may cause a violent mental reaction at any moment."


References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p.44
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, Population Growth and Control

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

जीवों के दुःख का बोझ हटाओ 

प्रभात संगीत 4703 प्रभातेर रवि बोले, घुमाये घुमाये थेको ना आर ...

भावार्थ

बाबा की कृपा से नये प्रभात का सूर्य सूचना दे रहा है , ‘ए मनुष्यो! अब और अधिक नींद में मत रहो। तुम्हारे पास बहुत सा काम करने को है। एक पूरे पहाड़ के बरावर काम तुम्हारे सामने है। अब दिवा स्वप्न मत देखो और आलस्य तंद्रा को दूर करो। ए मनुष्यो ! कम से कम अपनी आॅंखें एक बार तो खोलो और कराहती मानवता की ओर तो देखो, जीवों के दुःख का बोझ हटाओ ।  नींद में अब और अधिक न रहो, मानवता  के लिये कुछ करो।|

हे मनुष्यो! अनेक युगों से तुम सोते रहे हो। तुम पूरी रात सोते और स्वप्न देखते हो। अब स्वप्न और सोने  का समय नहीं है। लोग दुखों और कष्टों के बोझ से व्यथित हो चिल्ला रहे हैं, यह समय आलस्य और तन्द्रा में रहने का नहीं है। उठो औेर उन सब की सेवा में जुट जाओ । नींद में अब और अधिक न रहो जीवों के लिये कुछ करो।

हे मनुष्यो! देखो ! अब भव्य सुनहला दिन और दूर नहीं है, वह जल्दी ही निकट आ रहा है, प्रातःकाल अपनी लालिमा अपना प्रकाश  चारों ओर फैला रहा है, हर वस्तु चमकने लगी है, । पर्वत केे शिखर पर पक्षी चहचहा रहे हैं  और यही दिव्य संदेश  दे रहे हैं, नींद में अब और अधिक न रहो जीवों के लिये कुछ करो।

 अब वह दिन आ रहा है जब लोग हर तरह के बंधनों से मुक्त हो जायेंगे। अब कहीं भी कष्ट , प्रताड़ना और शोषण नहीं रहेगा। सभी आनन्दित जीवन जियेंगे। हे मनुष्यो ! प्रातःकाल की लालिमा तुम्हारे दरवाजे खटखटा रही है, दरवाजा खोलो और जीवों के लिये कुछ करो।

== Section: Bangla Quote ==

সেই ভাষাকে ৰলি বৈদিক ভাষা

“আর্য়দের আদি নিবাস ছিল রুস দেশের দক্ষিণাংশ, এবং মধ্যাংশ, যুরাল পর্বত মালার কাছাকাছি এলাকা | অন্য নাম caucasian | তাঁরা তখন মানে আজ থেকে অনুমানিক পোনেরো হাজ়ার ৰছর আগে যে ভাষায় কথা ৰলতেন, আজ আমরা সেই ভাষাকে ৰলি বৈদিক ভাষা | কেন বৈদিক ভাষা ৰলি ? সে ভাষার তো কোনও নাম ছিল, বৈদিক ভাষা এই কারণে ৰলি যে সে ভাষাতে কেবল মাত্র একটি ৰইয়েরই আমরা সন্ধান পেয়েছি, যে ৰইটার নাম বেদ | তাই ভাষাটার নাম বৈদিক |” (1)

Reference
1. MGD, 16 March 1980-03-16 Calcutta

 == Prabhat Samgiita ==

~ हे बाबा! तुम तो दुखहरण हो!  तुमने मुझे दुखों और कष्टों से बचा लिया है। ~

पीएस 1421 आमार सकल दुखेर माझे एले तुमि दुखहरण ...

भावार्थ

हे बाबा! तुम तो दुखहरण हो! मैं कितनें दुखों और कष्टों में घिरा हुआ था, मैं विपत्ति ग्रस्त था, मेरा जीवन असह्य था, मैं पूर्णतः दुर्दशा  में था, तब मुझे बचाने के लिये, तुम  अपनी टकटकायी आॅखों से       देखते हुए, धीरे धीरे चलते हुए, प्यारी मुस्कुराहट भरे चेहरे में मेरे पास आये---यह तुम्हारी कृपा  है। तुमने मेरे आॅंखों के आॅंसू पोंछ कर, मुझे दुखों और कष्टों से बचा लिया है।

हे परमपुरुष! मैं पूर्ण समर्पित होकर, उस दुखित और असहाय स्थिति में, तुम्हारे आश्रय में, तुमको पुकारते हुए, तुम्हें ही देखता था। दोनों हाथों को ऊपर उठाकर समर्पण की मुद्रा में मैंने कहा हे बाबा! हे मेरे प्रभो! कृपा कर मृझे बचालो, तुम ही मेरे एकमात्र सहारा हो, तुम नहीं बचाओगे तो कौन बचायेगा? तब उसी क्षण तुमने कृपा कर मुझे बचा लिया।

हे बाबा!  जब मैं चारों ओर देखता हॅूं, तो लगता है कि तुम्हारी कृपामय उपस्थिति से ही यह सारा संसार ऊर्जावान होकर स्पंदित  हो रहा है। सारा आकाश  तुम्हारे दिव्य प्रकाश  से लिपटा हुआ है, और मेरा मन और हृदय तुम्हारे प्रेम में निमग्न है। बाबा! तुम्हारे चरणकमलों को पकड़कर मैं तुम्हारे ही कीर्तिमान गीत गाते हुए हृदय से शरणागत हॅूं।

टिप्पणी :- ‘‘दुखहरण‘‘ , अर्थात् दुख को दूर करने वाला । परमपुरुष के अनन्त विशेषणों में से एक ‘दुखहरण‘ भी है। महाभारत काल में द्रौपदी को बंदी बनाकर सताये जाने पर, द्रौपदी ने अपने को परमपुरुष के समक्ष पूर्ण समर्पण करते हुए  पुकारा | तब परमपुरुष ने उन्हें तत्काल मदद की, और उनका कष्ट दूर कर दिया। भावार्थ यह कि परमपुरुष दुखहरण हैं। मनुष्यों के दुख तीन प्रकार के होते हैं, भौतिक, मानसिक और आध्यात्मिक। जीवन में, किसी भी प्रकार के दुख में, परमपुरुष बाबा को पूर्ण समर्पण भाव से पुकारने पर, वे अवश्य  दुखों का हरण कर लेते हैं।   

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Understanding sexual indiscretions

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/12/understanding-sexual-indiscretions-2.html

Baba's presence in sadhana

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/11/baba-story-junk-thoughts-in-sadhana.html

How to surmount any weakness

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-overcome-weaknesses.html

Witnessing Baba's demonstrations

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/11/beautiful-baba-story-of-early-days-in.html

Ever-present Baba always helps

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/11/ever-present-baba-always-helps.html

Different levels of sleep + 2 more

Baba

Different levels of sleep

Namaskar,

The other day when doing pracara I had an in-depth, personal conversation with someone about yama and niyama, kiirtan, and meditation. They appeared to be quite interested. When our talk ended, I thought they would have a question on the topic, or ask when was the next dharmacakra etc. But they invited me to join them in their drinking party. Hearing their request, I felt very sorry for their mental state. After a while, I was wondering why this person could not understand what I was talking about. What was the cause. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Then, by Baba’s grace, the section from His discourse about psychic slumber flashed in my mind. And I realised how those in psychic slumber cannot grasp refined ideas and spiritual concepts because the subtler aspects of their human personality are not developed. That portion of their mind is still dormant, unfortunately. After this incident, I thought to write a few words on this as it might be helpful for pracara activities.


Three types of sleep

The human personality is three-fold or trifarious: physical, psychic, and spiritual. We all know that the path of Ananda Marga aims for the development of the whole human personality. To this end, we should be fully aware about sleep and how it manifests on all levels of life. Unfortunately nowadays some do not seem to be fully cognizant of this important issue.

In brief, here is what is meant by sleep, in the various realms of life, according to the teachings of Ananda Marga.

• (A) Physical sleep: This is when one is lying down in their bed and sleeping. This everybody knows.
  
• (B) Psychic sleep: This is when one is not interested in subtle, intellectual topics. The person does not want to read Ananda Marga books - not even simple texts like “A Guide to Human Conduct.” Such persons are psychically sleeping. They have no greater concept of life, or death, or birth etc. Even if you sit down and explain it to them in a very simple manner, they will not be interested and will not comprehend the topic.
  
• (C) Spiritual sleep: This is when one has no interest in spiritual pursuits like sadhana, bhajans, and kiirtan etc. Just they are busy in sensual satisfaction. They harbour no spiritual interest. Rather they are disinterested in spirituality.
  

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sleeping person oblivious of surroundings

The most telling aspect or main characteristic about sleep - whether it be physical, psychic, or spiritual - is that when one is sleeping they are not aware that they are sleeping. They are not conscious of their behaviour. Sleep happens unbeknownst to the person. The person sleeping is oblivious of the fact that they are sleeping. They cannot think or say, "Right now, at this moment, I am sleeping."

Those involved in psychic and spiritual sleep can cross entire lifetimes without waking up. Just they pass their time / life in useless, transitory pursuits. This is all due to sleep in the psychic and spiritual realms. It should also be noted that of these three types of sleep, only physical sleep is restorative and regenerative in nature; it is beneficial so long as one does not sleep too much. In stark contrast, both psychic sleep and spiritual slumber have no redeeming qualities.


What is psychic sleep?

We all know what physical sleep is, but psychic sleep may be less apparent. Basically, when one is engrossed in religious dogmas, social dogmas, and material pursuits, then that is psychic sleep. Such persons have no concept of the more subtle aspects of life. They are just here for eating, sleeping, drinking, and merrymaking, or various dogmatic enterprises. These are the characteristics of psychic slumber.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

If someone is sleeping psychically and you talk to them about yama and niyama or meditation, they will often have a blank look on their face. Regardless of their educational status, if they are sleeping psychically, even a PhD scholar will be mentally dull in this regard. They will not show an iota of interest in spirituality. You can explain to people all day about how human life is precious and that money is not everything and that they must learn meditation etc, and then at the end of the conversation they may only ask about getting a bottle of wine. That is a classic case of psychic slumber.

Unfortunately, at present, in this grossly materialistic era, most suffer in this regard. They cannot see that this entire world is the divine expression of Parama Purusa and that there is more to living than satisfying one's animalistic propensities. We should not just think that psychic sleep only applies to those non-margiis grossly disinterested in spiritual topics.


What is spiritual sleep?

Next, we come to the phenomenon of spiritual sleep.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Of all the different types of lethargy, spiritual lethargy is the worst. Spiritual lethargy means not to sit for meditation regularly. Those with spiritual lethargy have time for all other actions, but for spiritual practice there seems to be no time. They say, “It’s already late today – I’ll do a short meditation right now, and devote more time to sa'dhana' tomorrow.” They sit attentively inside the cinema hall, but in dharma sa'dhana' they feel sleepy." (1)

Spiritual sleep occurs when one is negligent in doing sadhana. That is one main aspect of spiritual slumber. From that main stem of not doing sadhana comes many offshoots. Lack of spiritual awareness means forgetting that, “Parama Purusa is with me, watching me.” If at any time during the day or night a sadhaka forgets - even temporarily - that Parama Purusa is with them or if they do not have that idea vibrating in their mind, then it means that they are sleeping spiritually.

All the dogmatic religions that claim that God is far away are in spiritual slumber. The same is the case with those who look for Parama Purusa by going on tiirthas, whether that tiirtha be in Mecca, Jerusalem, Jamalpur or Kolkata. Plus those dogmatic worshipers who ask God for material gain and those who secretly pray to Parama Purusa for prestige and power - they are all sleeping. Internally they are hankering for something else other than Parama Purusa.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology says, "People...waste their time getting old for nothing. That is, they waste their time in non-spiritual pursuits. This is called “spiritual lethargy”. It causes the greatest harm to human life because it results in only a very small percentage of the human potentiality – maybe one or two percent – being utilized by humans. Even those whom we call great personalities hardly use ten percent of their potentialities. Due to spiritual lethargy people are unable to grow, and thus remain very ordinary. They come to the world, live, decay and die as ordinary human beings." (2)


Conclusion

We should all live life as awakened sadhakas - not falling prey to dogma and not forgetting that He is always with us. Then by His grace life will be successful. One should not fall into spiritual slumber.
 
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Human beings have to move, and move on ceaselessly. When they are endowed with the strength of movement, they will have to move in a proper manner. Where there is strength, that strength must be properly utilized. One must not slip into slumber, allowing this strength to remain inert. Parama Purus'a has given this power to be utilized. The knowledge of the learned, the strength of the strong, the intelligence of the intellectuals – all these faculties have been given not to be merely preserved but to be utilized. Those persons who do not utilize their faculties have no right to ask for anything from the Lord, and those who misuse their faculties are also doomed to destruction." (3)

The human personality is three-fold or trifarious: physical, psychic and spiritual.  Physical sleep is when one is lying down in their bed and sleeping. Psychic sleep is when not interested in any subtle idea. Spiritual sleep is when one has no interest in spiritual pursuits or they are disinterested in spirituality. We should all live life as awakened sadhakas.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
in Him,
Visnumaya’

~ In-depth study ~

It is universally known that when a person is very groggy or sleeping then they lose all awareness of external events. That is a person’s natural condition during physical sleep. In the case of psychic slumber, a person is unaware in the mental sphere. They are more engrossed in physical indulgences and lack the requisite faculties to understand the difference between right and wrong, moral and immoral etc. Because their mind is not awakened on that level.


Groupism means psychic sleep

There are also those who express some or more interest in the subtle sphere but get clouded in dogmas like groupism, factionalism, etc. That is what we have happening in our AMPS. All in Ananda Marga have the book knowledge that groupism is something bad, but even then some have fallen prey to this ism and have committed their life to the selfish interests of their chosen group. No names need be mentioned here, but in our Marga some fall in this category. And that is exactly what Baba is warning about in His below teaching.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Next is psychic lethargy. What is the nature of this sort of lethargy? Psychic lethargy is the lack of mental courage to think independently and to utilize the physical potentialities according to one’s inherent thoughts. For example, most people realize that since all human beings are the progeny of Parama Purus'a, there should not be any distinction of caste. Those who accept casteism can never accept Parama Purus'a and conversely, those who believe in Parama Purus'a can never accept casteism. Almost all human beings understand this and yet, in their individual lives, they surrender to old customs and beliefs. Just imagine what a serious lapse this is, what a serious psychic lethargy. The root case is the lack of moral courage." (4)

Thus anyone in Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha who is even remotely connected with groupism and groupist politics is a victim of psychic slumber. Unfortunately those who are sleeping cannot recognise that they are sleeping. Those caught in psychic slumber indulge in factional activities all the 24hrs. Sadly, they remain oblivious of their psychic slumber. Their sense of vivek is not working - and they cannot understand the teachings of Parama Purusa and apply them to their life. In that rut, they think what they are doing is alright.

Yet one fine morning, in this lifetime or the next, by Baba's grace, they will awaken and wonder what they have been doing with their lives. And they will exclaim, "Why did you not tell me that I was doing such things?" Little do they know that each and every day for decades they were told not to indulge in groupist propaganda. They do not realise that life is short and life is meant for ideology, not groupist, or dogmatic, or material pursuits. Such persons are in psychic sleep, unfortunately.

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 10, The Devotee and the Lord
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Bad Habits Which Should Be Given Up
3. A Few Problems Solved - 4, Forward Movement Is the Essence of Life
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Bad Habits Which Should Be Given Up

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Meaning of summer’s scorching heat

PS Intro: Here the writer is describing what happens in the severe summer season. It can also be equated with bad or difficult times in one's spiritual life. When the sadhaka is feeling out of their normal spiritual flow then the mind is dry like a desert. The softness and fulfillment of the mind withers away. Everything becomes dreary and lifeless. The sadhaka's heart of that dark time is reflected in this song. So here the summer season means that state of mind devoid of bhakti.

“A'mra vaner madhu jhare ja'y, vasanteri haoa' digante ha'-ra'y…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3003)

Purport:

The summer season has come. The nectar of the mango grove has dried up. The unrelenting sun is baking and cracking the earth. The vernal breeze has gotten lost in the horizon. The hot summer wind is blowing.

The nectar of the mango grove has dried up.

The burning heat of summer makes the cuckoo bird forget its song. It has stopped singing. The world has lost its beauty. In the greenless flute groves, there is no resonance. The lush vegetation has lost its vitality. Not seeing the monsoon clouds, the peacock is half-dead and lifeless. The unbloomed flower buds have withered away in summer's scorching heat. Everyone wishes for the arrival of cool, refreshing rain. O' Parama Purusa, devotees long for the showering of Your grace and devotion in their melancholic heart.

The nectar of the mango grove has dried up, and the hot wind is blowing.

Because of the intense summer heat, the green grass has become yellow - as if it is facing a terrible ordeal. Whatever suppressed and painful feeling was in the heart became one with the hot desert storm. This entire scene of the flora and fauna in the summer season is similar to all the agonies and pain of the heart which was unexpressed in my mind. Now it is taking form by this summer storm. Inside and outside are the same. O' Lord the suffering and pain of not getting You is expressed by this summer storm.

Baba I want You...


Notes for Prabhata Samgiita #3003

[1] The flute is made from the cane plant, that is why cane plants are also known as flute groves.

End Note: One key point to be aware of in this ongoing translation work is the danger of being overly literal. For instance, in Bengali it is said, "jal kha'bo" literally meaning "Will eat water"; whereas the better translation is "I will drink water." Whenever and wherever possible, a good translation will aim for the spirit of what is being said, and not the bare, literal meaning.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

You & your samskaras

In the below quote Baba teaches the following points:

(a) Sadhakas do not get terrified when facing their bad samskaras / reactive momenta. Those who are confused think about their suffering always.
(b) While undergoing suffering of their past deeds, they are focused on Brahma. And they continue on in their sadhana. Due to this, the seeds of their future samskaras are also burned.
(c) Because ones does sadhana, they always think they are pure - not a sinner. By this way they cleanse themselves.
(d) Due to their normal sadhana, their suffering due to pain and pleasure wanes because they are always in bliss. So they do not feel any misery or loss.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Learned people know that the requitals or consequences of deeds (karmaphala) are inevitably bound to follow one's actions, and so they do not waste time uselessly thinking about them. Fortified with courage and instilled with Brahmabháva they face all calamities of retribution bravely. They always consider themselves pure, for they have purged their minds of the past. Those who have tasted even a little of the flowing nectar of Brahma, know that they can never be impure. This constant thought of self-purity greatly helps to exhaust their saḿskáras or reactive momenta, as a result of which the saḿskáras held in the sthirabhúmi of their práńa are gradually destroyed. With the help of sádhaná or spiritual practice the spell of pleasurable and painful requitals ceases both internally and externally. Sádhakas call it the combustion of the seed of action in the fire of sádhaná." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 5, The Chariot and the Charioteer

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to overcome the reactions of your samskaras

In the below quote Baba teaches the following points:
(a) Sadhakas do not get terrified when facing their bad samskaras / reactive momenta. Those who are confused think about their suffering always.
(b) While undergoing suffering of their past deeds, they are focused on Brahma. And they continue on in their sadhana. Due to this, the seeds of their future samskaras are also burned.
(c) Because ones does sadhana, they always think they are pure - not a sinner. By this way they cleanse themselves.
(d) Due to their normal sadhana, their suffering due to pain and pleasure wanes because they are always in bliss. So they do not feel any misery or loss.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Learned people know that the requitals or consequences of deeds (karmaphala) are inevitably bound to follow one's actions, and so they do not waste time uselessly thinking about them. Fortified with courage and instilled with Brahmabháva they face all calamities of retribution bravely. They always consider themselves pure, for they have purged their minds of the past. Those who have tasted even a little of the flowing nectar of Brahma, know that they can never be impure. This constant thought of self-purity greatly helps to exhaust their saḿskáras or reactive momenta, as a result of which the saḿskáras held in the sthirabhúmi of their práńa are gradually destroyed. With the help of sádhaná or spiritual practice the spell of pleasurable and painful requitals ceases both internally and externally. Sádhakas call it the combustion of the seed of action in the fire of sádhaná." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 5, The Chariot and the Charioteer

== Section 3: Links ==

Recent Postings

• Being in Baba's presence

• Parama Purusa & microvita

• Today's paranoia & solution

• Why democracy is failing

• Fruitless actions: how to

Other topics of interest

• How to advance your dhyana
  

• Those early days
  

• Altered photo ruining dhyana