Description: In the philosophy of yoga, sleep is described not merely as the absence of waking consciousness but as a distinct mental modification, expressed in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as Abhava Pratyaya Alambana Vrttih Nidra, which means that sleep is a state of mind based on the cognition of non-existence or voidness. Unlike other mental activities such as perception, imagination, or memory, which rely on positive experiences or impressions, Nidra is unique because it is supported by the experience of “absence.” This definition highlights that even in deep sleep, the mind remains active at a subtle level, holding onto the notion of non-being, which later gives rise to the memory “I slept well.” By categorizing Nidra as a vrtti (fluctuation of the mind), Patanjali emphasizes that it too must be understood and transcended in the path of yoga, since yoga is the cessation of all vrttis. Recognizing Abhava Pratyaya Alambana Vrttih Nidra helps practitioners develop awareness of unconscious states, refine their understanding of the mind, and move toward deeper meditation, where the experience of true stillness is beyond both waking and sleeping conditions.
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