What is the relevance of the four states of consciousness? It is said that this world is a waking dream. What is the meaning of “waking dream”? What is does it mean when someone says Prajnanam Brahman, consciousness is the Self? These and other questions arise as the young Rama questions Sage Vasishtha.
waking – sleep- deep sleep – turiya
Question 144: When different worlds arise
The young Rama asks about the worlds of different people. Do they mix with one another or not? Sage Vasishtha tells that everything arises from Atma, and those with different worlds (think, world-views is all a function of chitta which arises from Atma. Another issue is considered: how do we recognise or come to know our true nature? Do we cognise when we are awake? Or asleep? What about the fourth state of consciousness, the turiya state? When do we know and how do we know we are the Atma? That we are one with Brahman?