Sleep as a State of Consciousness in Advaita Vedānta

By Arvind Sharma

Explores deep sleep (susupti), one of the three states of consciousness in Advaita Vedanta, and the major role it plays in this philosophy.

Indian philosophy bases itself on three states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Deep sleep, or susupti, plays an important role in Advaita Vedanta, the major philosophical school that advocates a doctrine of pure consciousness. Explaining and savoring this paradox, this book shows how the concept of deep sleep can be used in Advaita Vedanta to reveal a philosophical insight, validate an argument, illustrate a moral, or adorn a tale. Arvind Sharma explores why sleep is a phenomenon that philosophers should be interested in and examines it in classical Hindu religious texts, including the Upanisads, and in foundational, early, and modern Advaita Vedanta.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 079146251X
• ISBN13: 9780791462515
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Length: 191 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.4" x 9.3"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher