Mind--Its Mysteries and Control - The Divine Life Society

MIND—ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL
In dream, the senses are thrown off just as you throw off your suit when going to bed. In
dream state, the senses are quiet and absorbed in the mind. Mind alone plays during dream. The
mind alone operates in a free and unfettered manner. There is no land, no sea, no horse, no elephant
in dream; but mind creates everything out of its own body, out of the materials supplied from
waking consciousness. The mind itself assumes the various forms of bee, flower, mountain,
elephant, horse, river, etc. It is the subject. It is the object as well. The seer and the seen are one.
The objects perceived in dreams are revivals of impressions received in waking state and
have an external reality only to the dreamer. When modified by the impressions which the external
objects have left, the Jiva sees dreams. Perception takes place through the internal organ called
Manas; so it is called “inner perception.”
Every man has his own subjective mental world and his own dream-creatures. The
dream-creatures of a young lady are her husband and new-born babe. Her mind has two strong
mental images, viz., those of her husband and baby. The mental images are strengthened by
constant thinking. The dream-creatures of a doctor are his patients, while those of a barrister are his
clients.
There is temperamental difference. Some rarely get dreams. A Jnani who has Knowledge of
the Self will not have any dream.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JAGRAT AND SVAPNA
The difference between the waking and the dreaming states consists in this, that in the
waking condition the mind depends on the outward impressions, while in the dreaming state, it
creates its own impressions and enjoys them. It uses, of course, the materials of the waking hours.
In Jagrat state, the objects exist independent of the mind. So, every day you see the same
objects as soon as you wake up from sleep. But in dreams, the objects of dream exist only so long as
there is mind, so long as the dream lasts, because the dream-creatures are manufactured out of mind
only. In dream, mind itself creates the dream-creatures out of the materials supplied by waking
experiences with some modifications. When mind drops down to waking state, all dream-objects
vanish.
WAKING STATE, A LONG DREAM
You dream that you are a king. You enjoy various kinds of royal pleasures. As soon as you
wake up, everything vanishes. But, you do not feel for the loss because you know that the
dream-creatures are all false. Similarly, even in the waking consciousness if you are well
established in the idea that the world is a false illusion, you will not get any pain. When you know
the real Tattva (Brahman), the waking consciousness also will become quite false like a dream.
Jagrat state is only a long dream (Dirgha Svapna). The state of waking consciousness does not exist
either in dream or sleep. Therefore, it is illusory. Reality always exists in all conditions or states.
Wake up and realise, my child!
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