Chapter 1: The Illusion of Reality

Many of us often take our experiences at face value, yet it's essential to question the authenticity of what we perceive. For instance, consider these two scenarios:

1. After a restful night, you tell your partner, "I slept like a baby."
2. You dream during the night and, although not vividly, remember it the next morning.

This raises a perplexing question: If you truly were in a deep sleep, how can you confidently say you slept well? Similarly, how can you recall a dream if you were entirely unconscious?

Isn't it intriguing?

In essence, we typically exist in one of three states: waking, dreaming, or deep sleep. However, the Mandukya Upanishad introduces a fourth state, Turiya, which many are not aware of. My insights stem from reading this profound text, particularly the version translated by Swami Nikhilananda, which includes commentaries by Gaudapada and Adi Shankaracharya. It's vital for me to share these revelations.

Sharing Knowledge: A Path to Immortality

• Dalai Lama

The three commonly recognized states are:

1. Gross Self (Sthoolatma): This is our tangible world, where we connect with external objects, and everything we perceive seems real. This state corresponds to our waking life (Jagrat Awastha).
2. Subtle Self (Sooshmatma): In this realm, our experiences during dreams feel authentic. Here, the dreamer identifies with internal objects, experiencing consciousness in the mind while dreaming (Swapna Awastha).
3. Causal Self (Karanatma): In this state, there is no distinct subject or object. It is characterized by the absence of dreams, experiences, or desires, existing merely as a blankness or oneness. This is experienced during deep sleep (Susupti Awastha).

However, the Mandukya Upanishad asserts that these three states are ultimately false and illusory. The sole reality is Turiya, the fourth state, which represents the true essence of the Self or consciousness. The other three—waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—are merely illusions (mithya).

Returning to our initial questions: If you were genuinely "asleep," how could you know that you slept well? How can dreams be recalled from a state of deep sleep? This is indeed a thought-provoking conundrum.

We, as humans, navigate through the physical, dream, and deep sleep realms. It is Turiya, the fourth state, that observes all three—waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. This witness (Sakshi) is our authentic Self or Brahman. Through this Brahman, we remember our restful sleep or the dreams we experienced.

The Mandukya Upanishad provides a simple analogy using clay to illustrate this fundamental reality. Just as pots and jars made of clay are merely names and forms, so too are the states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep nothing but manifestations of the all-encompassing Self, the highest reality, and pure bliss.

In summary, just as we might mistake a rope for a snake in darkness due to ignorance, we erroneously interpret the three states with distinct names and appearances. In truth, they are all expressions of the formless, indestructible, and omnipresent Brahman, the Self.

While reading Pavan K. Varma’s Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker, I encountered the Dashashloki—a profound Sanskrit hymn composed of ten verses that deeply resonated with me. In one verse, Adi Shankaracharya eloquently compares the three states to Turiya:

? ??????? ? ?? ???????? ?? ?????????

? ?????? ? ?? ????? ????????? ?? ?

????????????????? ???????? ??????

???????????????? ???? ????????? ?

This translates to: "Neither the state of waking nor that of dreaming nor that of deep sleep is for me; neither the Visva nor the Taijasa nor the Prajna (am I). Since the three are of the nature of nescience, I am the Fourth. That one which remains (after the sublation of all else)—that auspicious absolute (Self) I am."

The text recounts that when the young Shankaracharya first met Govindapada, he responded to the question, “Who are you?” by reciting this verse. Govindapada was so impressed that he immediately accepted Shankaracharya as his disciple.

Isn't that captivating?

Chapter 2: Understanding Turiya

In our exploration of reality, the question remains: What does it mean to truly experience consciousness?

The first video, "Is Anything Real? - YouTube," delves into the philosophical implications of reality and consciousness, challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions.

The second video, "Is Anything Real? - YouTube," further explores these themes, prompting a deeper reflection on the nature of existence and awareness.