Awareness Never Falls Asleep

Summary

This dialogue explores the nature of awareness through states like waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. It posits that awareness never 'falls asleep' but remains constant, unaltered by transitions between these states. The speaker argues that deep sleep is not a void but filled with pure awareness, inherently peaceful and fulfilling. The conversation challenges conventional beliefs about consciousness, suggesting that awareness never disappears and isn't subject to time or death. It concludes with the idea that truly understanding this leads to a mind-blowing shift in perception, dismantling the illusion of a separate self.

Takeaways

• 😀 Awareness remains constant and awake through all states, whether waking, dreaming, or in deep sleep.
• 🛌 Falling asleep is merely a transition of perceptions and sensations, but awareness itself does not change.
• 🌙 Awareness is always awake, even in the dream state, observing both the waking and dream worlds.
• 🧠 Deep sleep is not a blank or void from the perspective of awareness; it is full of pure, peaceful awareness.
• 🔄 Thought can only understand objects and experiences, so it perceives deep sleep as 'nothing', but awareness knows itself fully in deep sleep.
• ⏳ Awareness is timeless and spaceless, always present, while waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states pass through it.
• 💡 Consciousness or awareness does not disappear, even in deep sleep or supposed unconsciousness.
• 🧍 People do not possess awareness or consciousness; rather, consciousness experiences people.
• 💭 The idea that awareness begins with birth and ends with death is a cultural belief, not based on true experience.
• 🎯 Pondering and deeply understanding the constant nature of awareness can dissolve the illusion of the separate self and bring peace.

Q & A

What is the script's perspective on awareness during the transition from waking to dreaming?

The script suggests that awareness remains constant during the transition from waking to dreaming. While sensations and perceptions change, awareness itself remains fully awake and does not fall asleep.

Why does the script state that 'awareness doesn't fall asleep'?

The script argues that awareness never experiences a change in state, including sleep, because it is ever-present and wide awake. What changes are the objects of awareness, such as sensations and perceptions, not awareness itself.

How does the script explain the experience of deep sleep from the perspective of thought and awareness?

From the perspective of thought, deep sleep appears as 'nothing' because there are no objects to perceive. However, from the perspective of awareness, deep sleep is full of itself—peaceful, fulfilled, and not 'nothing.' Awareness remains aware even in deep sleep.

According to the script, what is the experience of deep sleep like for awareness?

For awareness, deep sleep is not a blank or empty state. It is an experience of pure, peaceful awareness, where awareness is 'full to the brim of itself'—inherently peaceful and fulfilled.

Why do people look forward to falling asleep, according to the script?

People look forward to falling asleep because, during deep sleep, they experience the peaceful, fulfilled state of awareness. In this state, they desire nothing and lack nothing, which the script refers to as 'happiness.'

What happens to the waking and dream states in relation to awareness, based on the script?

The waking and dream states pass through awareness, but awareness itself does not change or move through them. In fact, awareness takes the shape of the mind, which then manifests the waking and dreaming states.

Can awareness be replaced with the term 'consciousness' in the script?

Yes, the script suggests that awareness and consciousness can be used interchangeably in this context. Both refer to the unchanging, ever-present experience that underlies all states of mind and perception.

Why is the term 'unconscious' misleading in the script?

The script argues that 'unconscious' is misleading because it suggests that awareness ceases to exist when one is not responsive. However, awareness never disappears, even if the body is unresponsive; it remains fully present.

How does the script describe the nature of awareness in relation to time and space?

The script describes awareness as being beyond time and space. It is in a 'placeless place' called infinity and a 'timeless time' called eternity. Awareness does not travel through time; rather, time and states pass through it.

What is the script's view on the common cultural belief that awareness is finite?

The script challenges the belief that awareness is finite and temporary, arguing that no one has ever experienced the disappearance of awareness. It states that this belief is unfounded and arises from misunderstanding our true nature.