Currents of Consciousness: On Yoga Nidra & the Self As a River
This short piece explores the metaphor of the Self as a river, contemplating how we might use the ancient technique of Yoga Nidra to traverse the depths of our consciousness.
In the boundless depths of existence, the ripples of seen reality intertwine with uncharted streams of the mind. There, we find three distinct, yet harmonious states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.
Each state is like a different facet of a river, flowing with its own currents, depths, and mysteries. As we explore the waters of our inner landscape, we discover the dynamic interplay between these states — and in the practice of Yoga Nidra, we might heal through it.
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Imagine consciousness as a river, flowing ceaselessly through time.
The surface of the river reflects the waking state, where our senses navigate the material world, sun-kissed ripples mirroring the vibrancy of our conscious experiences.
Just beneath the surface, an undercurrent, like the realm of dreaming, flows in a subtler rhythm. Here, the known dissolves into the unknown; the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
And beneath it all, lies the bed of the river: the foundation that shapes both the surface and the undercurrent. This latent realm mirrors the deep sleep state — a state where consciousness retreats, where the sense of “I” dissolves. This is the womb of creativity, the fertile ground from which the other states arise and merge.
Yoga Nidra Is a Compass
In the realm of Yoga Nidra, we embark on a deliberate journey along this river of consciousness, guided by the wisdom of ancient practice. In this meditative voyage, we tread the waters of awareness, gently stirring the depths of the subconscious and allowing the currents of the unconscious to rise to the surface.
As we dive into the practice, we learn to expand our conscious state. Concentration becomes a focal point, a way to anchor the mind amidst shifting currents of thought and sensation. But it’s not a battle against the tide. It’s an art of letting go, allowing the river to reveal whatever floats to the surface.
Yoga Nidra, also referred to as yogic sleep, invites us to venture into deeper waters. In this state, the boundaries between waking and dreaming blur.
As consciousness drifts toward the realm of deep sleep, a paradox emerges: remaining awake in the midst of slumber. This is a threshold where the river of consciousness seems to pause, allowing us to witness the dance of dreams while holding onto a fishing line of awareness.
In this twilight state, we touch upon something profound — an awareness devoid of what usually occupies the mind. The river flows, yet the reflections vanish, revealing a pure and unadulterated essence, a prolonged experience of moments of stillness between thought during meditation. Yet, as Yoga Nidra envelops us in this paradoxical awareness, it’s essential to acknowledge its role as a guide rather than a destination.
This state, with all its twinkling and treasure-filled depths, is just a stepping stone on a much grander journey. As the river of consciousness carries us forward, using Yoga Nidra as a compass, we can ride through the currents, past the shallows, and into the depths of our Being.
To be swimming at all is a gift. To be aware that we’re swimming? Well, that’s where it gets interesting.