Slumbering Mind – Spiritual Sleep Paralysis

The Gurmat Wisdom of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) teaches that the entire world is asleep — sleep of love of Maya (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੀ ਭੁਖ) or Maya intoxication, sleep of emotional attachmen etc. The Gurbani reveals that in this horrific state of endless slumber are ‘asleep’ human beings in the world!

• ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਇਹੁ ਜਗੁ ਸੁਤਾ ॥: This world is asleep in attachment to Maya (sggs 112).
• ਕਰਤਬ ਕਰਨਿ ਭਲੇਰਿਆ ਮਦਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਸੁਤੇ ॥ : Asleep intoxicated with Maya, people do evil deeds. (sggs 321).
• ਬਿਕਾਰ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਾਦਿ ਸੋਇਓ ਸੂਝ ਬੂਝ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥ : One who remains engrossed in vices or Bikaar and the intoxication of Maya; he does not develop any understanding about the righteous conduct. (sggs 408).
• ਕਿਆ ਤੂ ਸੋਇਆ ਜਾਗੁ ਇਆਨਾ ॥ ਤੈ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਜਗਿ ਸਚੁ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : O ignorant one, wake up, why are you still in the slumber of worldly attractions and their corrupting influences? O mortal one, you have mistaken assumed this worldly life to be eternal. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 794).

Sleep paralysis can be lumped in two groups: (1) physical sleep paralysis, and (2) spiritual sleep paralysis.

Physical sleep paralysis

The physical sleep paralysis is a form of parasomnia. Those who have experienced an episode of sleep paralysis know that it can be a tormenting experience, which is not easy to forget. Generally, episodes of sleep paralysis are experienced when one is in the process of just falling asleep i.e., (phase pf shallow sleep before deep sleep). In this frightening experience, one feels immobilized, unable to move the body or turn the head, unable to open the mouth to make a sound, unable walk or run, one feel short of breath, one feels tremendous pressure or weight on chest or heart, weighing the body down, one feels fear or danger, etc.

However, it is the spiritual sleep paralysis (i.e., Spiritual unawareness…) the Gurbani wants to draw our attention to.

Spiritual sleep paralysis

The Gurbani’s teachings make worldly people Aware and Awake us from sleep in Maya’s intoxication (ਮਾਇਆ-ਨਸ਼ੇ ਦੀ ਨੀਂਦ). Being so trapped, the Guru Sahib (SGGS) explains its details as to how worldly people are being plundered of their life-capital. At the same time, the Guru Sahib teaches us how to adopt the right life.

• ਜੋਗੀ ਗ੍ਰਿਹੀ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਭੇਖਧਾਰੀ ॥ ਏ ਸੂਤੇ ਅਪਣੈ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਮਾਇਆ ਮਦਿ ਮਾਤਾ ਰਹਿਆ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਜਾਗਤੁ ਰਹੈ ਨ ਮੂਸੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ : The Yogis, the householders, the Pandits, the religious scholars, and the sectarians in religious robes — they are all asleep in egotism. They are asleep, intoxicated with the wine of Maya (being constantly robbed by lust, anger, greed, etc.). Only those who remain awake and aware (with Naam-Simran…) are not robbed. ||1||Pause|| (sggs 1128).
• ਨੈਨਹੁ ਨੀਦ ਪਰ ਦ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥ ਸ੍ਰਵਣ ਸੋਏ ਸੁਣਿ ਨਿੰਦ ਵੀਚਾਰ ॥ ਰਸਨਾ ਸੋਈ ਲੋਭਿ ਮੀਠੈ ਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਮਨੁ ਸੋਇਆ ਮਾਇਆ ਬਿਸਮਾਦਿ ॥੧॥ ਇਸੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਮਹਿ ਕੋਈ ਜਾਗਤੁ ਰਹੈ ॥ ਸਾਬਤੁ ਵਸਤੁ ਓਹੁ ਅਪਨੀ ਲਹੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਗਲ ਸਹੇਲੀ ਅਪਨੈ ਰਸ ਮਾਤੀ ॥ ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਕੀ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਜਾਤੀ ॥ ਮੁਸਨਹਾਰ ਪੰਚ ਬਟਵਾਰੇ ॥ ਸੂਨੇ ਨਗਰਿ ਪਰੇ ਠਗਹਾਰੇ ॥੨॥ ਉਨ ਤੇ ਰਾਖੈ ਬਾਪੁ ਨ ਮਾਈ ॥ ਉਨ ਤੇ ਰਾਖੈ ਮੀਤੁ ਨ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਦਰਬਿ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਨਾ ਓਇ ਰਹਤੇ ॥ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਓਇ ਦੁਸਟ ਵਸਿ ਹੋਤੇ ॥੩॥ : The eyes are unconscious in casting their evil glance on others. The ears are unconscious in listening to slanderous talks. The tongue is unconscious in the desires for tasty relishes. The mind is asleep fascinated by Maya (ocean of worldliness). ||1|| A rare person remains Awake (Aware, Alert, Conscious) in his/her own house (i.e. mind –Nij Ghar) of the onslaught of Maya (vices/Bikaar, worldly attractions and their corrupting influences – Bhav Saagar). That person keeps his/her spiritual life Intact, (Whole, Undivided, Complete – Saabat…). ||1||Pause|| All sensory organs of the body are busy in enjoying their own pleasures (i.e. sense-objects). They do not care to guard their own home (against vices/Bikaar). The five (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride) are the plunderers and robbers. (These five thugs) descend upon the unguarded mind. ||2|| Neither our mother nor father can save us from these. Neither our friend nor brother can protect us from them. They cannot be restrained by wealth or cleverness. These evils/villains can be brought under control only through the Company/Guidance of the Guru (realization of the enlightening Giyan-Wisdom contained within Shabad). ||3|| (sggs 182).
• ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਹਸਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਹੈ ਆਪੈ ਸਿਰਿ ਧੰਧੈ ਮਾਰ ॥ ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਸੁਤੇ ਕਬਹਿ ਨ ਜਾਗਹਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹ ਪਿਆਰ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਚੇਤਹਿ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਵੀਚਾਰਹਿ ਇਹੁ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਕਾ ਆਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਨਮੁ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਮੁ ਮਾਰਿ ਕਰੇ ਖੁਆਰ ॥੨॥ : (Manmukh: UN-enlightened) suffer the pangs of doubt and uncertainty who are engrossed in worldly affairs and keep suffering from the blows of worldly entanglements. It is as if they are in love with Maya, and they never become conscious (of its entanglements). They do not remember the Divine Naam (abidance in Divine Giyan-Wisdom / Virtues / Hukam), and do not reflect on the Shabad of the Guru; this is the life conduct of a Manmukh (UN-enlightened mindset). Nanak, they do not realize the Divine Naam, and they waste their lives; ‘Jum‘ (i.e. vices/Bikaar) ruins them. ||2|| (sggs 508).

Spiritual sleep paralysis is spiritual unawareness — delusion created by the three thought-conditions or the three modes of Maya: Taamas, Raajas, and Saatav.

• ਤਿਹੀ ਗੁਣੀ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਸੁਤਾ ਸੁਤਿਆ ਰੈਣਿ ਵਿਹਾਣੀ ॥ : The entire world is engrossed in three modes of Maya (i.e. three thought-conditions: Taamas, Raajas, Saatav), consequently worldly people pass their life sleeping in delusion. (sggs 920).
• ਦੂਜੈ ਭਾਇ ਸੁਤੇ ਕਬਹਿ ਨ ਜਾਗਹਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹ ਪਿਆਰ ॥ : (Manmukhs) are asleep in duality, they are attached to Maya, (consequently) they never Awake. (sggs 508).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਹਉਮੈ ਮਾਇਆ ਸੂਤੇ ॥ ਅਪਣਾ ਘਰੁ ਨ ਸਮਾਲਹਿ ਅੰਤਿ ਵਿਗੂਤੇ ॥ : Because of Haumai Maya, Manmukhs (unenlightened beings) remain unaware of the virtuous living. They do not protect themselves from the onslaught of Haumai Maya and are (spiritually) ruined in the end. (sggs 1049).

In the foregoing verses, what’s this pressure or weight the Gurbani is referring to?

According to the Gurbani (SGGS), this weight consists of Haumai (false ego-sense), doubts, perpetual hunger for Maya, darkness of ignorance (Agiaantaa), demerits, trickery, Bikaar (i.e. lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride), Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree lifestyle, body-consciousness, listening or reading the Gurbani without understanding and implementation etc. The Gurbani confirms all this:

• ਹਉਮੈ ਮੋਹ ਭਰਮ ਭੈ ਭਾਰ ॥: Egotism, attachment, doubt and fear are loads. (sggs 292).
• ਲਬੁ ਲੋਭੁ ਮੁਚੁ ਕੂੜੁ ਕਮਾਵਹਿ ਬਹੁਤੁ ਉਠਾਵਹਿ ਭਾਰੋ ॥: You practice greed, avarice and great falsehood (i.e. all Bikaar), and you carry such a heavy burden (sggs 154).
• ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਬਿਖੁ ਬਜਰੁ ਭਾਰੁ ॥: The burden of lust, anger and corruption (i.e. all Bikaar) is unbearable (sggs 1187).
• ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਹੈ ਬਿਖਮੁ ਅਤਿ ਭਾਰੀ ॥: Attachment to Maya is ignorance; it is terrible and very heavy load. (sggs 509).
• ਗੁਣ ਛੋਡਿ ਬਿਖੁ ਲਦਿਆ ਅਵਗੁਣ ਕਾ ਵਣਜਾਰੋ ॥੩॥: Forsaking Virtues, (the wicked person) has loaded (himself) with the poison of demerits; he keeps trading with demerits (in his entire life in this world). ||3|| (sggs 580).
• ਮਨਮੁਖ ਪਾਖੰਡਿ ਭਰਮਿ ਵਿਗੂਤੇ ਲੋਭ ਲਹਰਿ ਨਾਵ ਭਾਰਿ ਬੁਡਈਆ ॥: The hypocritical Manmukhs (followers of their perplexed mind) are ruined by doubt; their heavily loaded boat (of life – loaded with Bikaar…) sinks in the waves of greed (sggs 834).
• ਬਹੁਤੁ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਆਗਲ ਭਾਰਾ ॥: Through clever tricks (performed in the love of Maya), the weight (of Bikaar) is only piled on more and more (sggs 178).
• ਪੰਡਿਤ ਇਸੁ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਅਵਰੁ ਕਿ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਪੜਹਿ ਉਠਾਵਹਿ ਭਾਰੁ ॥: O Pandit! Reflect on this mind (of yours). (Instead of reflecting on your mind) whatever you read is just carrying the load (of egotism on your mind). (sggs 1261).

The Gurbani tells us these loads have crippled us humans and as a result we suffer!

However this human life is a golden opportunity to unload ourselves. Choice is ours. Either we can chose to carry these loads around and continue suffering rest of the life, or we can chose to end it here and now.

• ਜਉ ਲਉ ਪੋਟ ਉਠਾਈ ਚਲਿਅਉ ਤਉ ਲਉ ਡਾਨ ਭਰੇ ॥ ਪੋਟ ਡਾਰਿ ਗੁਰੁ ਪੂਰਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਤਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਰਭਏ ॥੪॥੧॥੧੫੯॥: As long as I walked along, carrying the load, I continued to suffer. (But) O Nanak! Meeting the Perfect Guru (i.e., Realizing Aatam-Giaan, Gur-Giaan, Shabad-Upadesh…), I unloaded myself and became fearless. ||4||1||159|| (sggs 214).

Reorienting the slumbering mind

The Gurbani urges us to Wake up and Arise from this perpetual slumber – bewitchment of Maya.

• ਜਾਗ ਲੇਹੁ ਰੇ ਮਨਾ ਜਾਗ ਲੇਹੁ ਕਹਾ ਗਾਫਲ ਸੋਇਆ ॥: Wake up, O mind! Wake up! Why are you sleeping unaware? (sggs 726).
• ਸਿਆਮ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਤਜਿ ਨੀਦ ਕਿਉ ਆਈ ॥ ਮਹਾ ਮੋਹਨੀ ਦੂਤਾ ਲਾਈ ॥੧॥ : Forsaking the Creator, why did I fall in the clutches of Maya? These passionate enemies (vices/Bikaar) got me entangled with Maya, the great enticer. ||1|| (sggs 745).
• ਕਬੀਰ ਸੂਤਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰਹਿ ਉਠਿ ਕਿ ਨ ਜਪਹਿ ਮੁਰਾਰਿ ॥ ਇਕ ਦਿਨ ਸੋਵਨੁ ਹੋਇਗੋ ਲਾਂਬੇ ਗੋਡ ਪਸਾਰਿ ॥੧੨੮॥ : Kabir, what are you doing sleeping (i.e. being engrossed in Maya, being in Non-realized state, being indifferent to Spiritual Awareness or Naam: Giyan-Wsdom/ Virtues / Hukam); why don’t you wake up from this slumber of Maya and pay attention to realizing the Creator. One day you will go to sleep with knees/legs stretched straight forever (i.e. physically dead). ||128|| (sggs 1371).
• ਫਰੀਦਾ ਰਾਤਿ ਕਥੂਰੀ ਵੰਡੀਐ ਸੁਤਿਆ ਮਿਲੈ ਨ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਜਿੰਨੑਾ ਨੈਣ ਨੀਦ੍ਰਾਵਲੇ ਤਿੰਨੑਾ ਮਿਲਣੁ ਕੁਆਉ ॥੮੦॥ : Farid, musk/fragrance is distributed at night, those who remain in the slumber of Maya or those spiritually asleep or inebriated by worldly attachments don’t get any share of it. Those whose eyes are sleepy (i.e. those who remain engrossed in the love of Maya do not pay attention to Naam: Giyan-Wsdom/ Virtues / Hukam) their Union with the Creator is not possible. ||80|| (sggs 1382).

But, how can the slumbering mind fascinated by Maya be reoriented to the Real Purpose of human life – realization of the Creator within (Virtues)? In other words, how can the mind’s doubt (i.e. deception, confusion, or delusion) be removed?

• ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਸਭੋ ਜਗੁ ਸੋਇਆ ਇਹੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਿਉ ਜਾਈ ॥: In attachment to Maya, all the world is asleep. Tell (me), how can this doubt be dispelled? (sggs 205).

According to the Gurbani, detachment (‘Bairaag-ਬੈਰਾਗ’) is the key. Attachment clouds our sense of discrimination (Bibek Budhi or discerning intellect). As a result, we cannot earnestly Reflect on the Gur-Shabad. Detachment makes us introspective and discriminative, leading to Virtues. The reflective mind with the subtle sense of discrimination helps us to know the difference between Sat and Asat (truth and falsehood, eternal and temporary etc.).

• ਬਿਨੁ ਬੈਰਾਗ ਨ ਛੂਟਸਿ ਮਾਇਆ ॥੧॥: Without detachment, Maya cannot be gotten rid of. ||1|| (sggs 329).

In other words, the Gurbani asks us to be in the world, but not of it! The Gurbani teaches us how to develop such detachment:

• ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਅਰਾਧੀਐ ਨਾਮਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਬੈਰਾਗੁ ॥: Through the Gur-Shabad, adore the Naam (Wisdom / Virtues); with such affection, detachment (wells up in the mind). (sggs 1425).
• ਰੇ ਜਨ ਉਥਾਰੈ ਦਬਿਓਹੁ ਸੁਤਿਆ ਗਈ ਵਿਹਾਇ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਸੁਣਿ ਨ ਜਾਗਿਓ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਨ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਚਾਉ ॥: O man! Suppressed under the weight of ‘Outhaarai’, (your life) has passed in sleep (i.e., Spiritual unawareness, etc.). You have not Awaken upon listening to the Satigur’s Shabad; and no (spiritual) Inspiration has welled up within yourself.
• ਜਾਗਤ ਸੂਤਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਵਿਗੂਤਾ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈਐ ਮੀਤਾ ॥ : One who is asleep while awake (engrossed in materialism, Maya), he/she is being wasted away by doubt. (sggs 1019).

The Divine Wisdom of the Gur-Shabad is All-powerful to Awaken the slumbering mind, if properly UNDERSTOOD and APPLIED!

• ਅਗਿਆਨਿ ਲਾਇ ਸਵਾਲਿਆ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੈ ਲਾਇ ਜਗਾਵੈਗੋ ॥: Attached to ignorance, (people are) caused to sleep (to Maya…); attached to the Gur’s spiritual Wisdom, (they are) Awaken (sggs 1308).

Once the mind is unburdened of the ‘crushing load’, it becomes light (‘ਹਰੂਏ-Harooay‘), fit to cross over the Bhav Saagar (the ocean of Maya); while rest of us just keep chasing mirage! Consider the following Salok of Bhagat Kabeer Sahib:

• ਕਬੀਰ ਬੇੜਾ ਜਰਜਰਾ ਫੂਟੇ ਛੇਂਕ ਹਜਾਰ ॥ ਹਰੂਏ ਹਰੂਏ ਤਿਰਿ ਗਏ ਡੂਬੇ ਜਿਨ ਸਿਰ ਭਾਰ ॥੩੫॥ : Kabir, if the boat is worn out and cracked with thousands holes, that ship is bound to sink in the ocean — MEANING: Human body of weak-minded people is like a worn out ship exposed to numerous vices/Bikaar in the ocean (Bhav Sagar) of worldly attractions with their corrupting influences. Only those who do not carry load of vices/Bikaar (i.e. Gurmukhs / enlightened / Guru Shabad-Oriented) swim across this ocean of worldly life (become God Realized within – ‘ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ’), whereas those who carry the load of vices/Bikaar are drowned under the load in this ocean of worldliness (spiritually ruined, die wasting human life). ||35|| (sggs 1366).

Who is truly Awake?

A truly Awaken Mind is called a Gurmukh in the Gurbani. Hence, the Gurbani urges us to become the Gurmukh Mindset, so the mind can become fearless and leave the ‘Trikutee-ਤ੍ਰਿਕੁਟੀ’ and come to rest within – ‘Nij Ghar‘.

• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਾਗੈ ਸੋਈ ਸਾਰੁ : To be awake as Gurmukh is the Essence (of Wakefulness). (sggs 1194).
• ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਇਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਭਗਤੀ ਜਾਗੇ ॥: United with Bhagti, the mind of the Gurmukh remains Awakened (sggs 415).

In short, a Gurmukh (Bhagat, Daas, Jan…) is an Enlightened Mind, brave, virtuous, fearless, blissful (Anand), pious, Joyful, positive. (ਵਿਦਵਾਨ, ਬਹਾਦੁਰ, ਭਲਾ, ਨੇਕ, ਗੁਣੀ, ਖੁਸ਼, ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਵਿਚ…). — reveling in the deep reservoir of the Gurbani’s Wisdom, Enlightened (‘Kheevaa-ਖੀਵਾ’).

• ਭੋਰ ਭਰਮ ਕਾਟੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨ ਮਿਲਿ ਸੋਵਤ ਜਾਗੀ ॥੧॥: O ‘Prabh’ (Mool, Source, Jot, Hari…)! By remembering You applying the ointment of spiritual Wisdom, every trace of (my) doubt is effaced and (I am) awakened from my sleep (of Maya). ||1||

Some related Posts:

• Dance of the Mind Attached to Maya
• Mind Clinging to Maya can’t be Trusted
• What is Maya?
• Nature of Mayaic Delusion
• Purpose of Human Birth
• Haumai Maya
• How Beings Become Maya’s Slave
• Mind That Gives up Hunger for Maya Realizes its Mool
• Nature of Mayaic Delusion
• Non-Gurmukh Mindset – Manmukh, Saakat, Mayadhaaree.
• Gurbani Defines being Awake and Aware
• Intellect Must Awaken to Wisdom
• Oblivious to the Passage of Time
• Bhav Sagar – Existential Ocean