In our previous posts, we explored the nature of right knowledge and wrong knowledge as mental events, recognizing them as fluctuations of the mind that can distract us from the clarity of the Seer. Now, Patanjali takes us further into the types of mental events, focusing on imagination and sleep.
1.9: Imagination is the mental event that arises when words or concepts are not based on reality.
1.10: Sleep is the mental event that occurs when there is an absence of awareness.
These two sutras reveal important aspects of the mind’s activity that can either lead to further distraction or be witnessed with clarity. Both imagination and sleep are natural, but without mindfulness, they can obscure our ability to remain in the awareness of the Seer.
Imagination: The Mind’s Tendency to Create
Imagination (vikalpa) is the mind’s ability to create images, scenarios, or concepts that are not rooted in actual experience. This can be a powerful tool for creativity, but when we become entangled in imaginative thoughts, they pull us away from the present moment and the reality of what is. Imagination is a type of mental event that can lead to confusion when we mistake it for truth.
For instance, how often do we find ourselves lost in a daydream or a scenario that has no bearing on reality? Whether it’s imagining a future outcome or reliving a past experience, imagination can easily become a source of distraction. Yet, when we recognize imagination as just another mental event, we can let it pass without getting caught up in it. The key is to observe it without judgment or engagement, remembering that we are the Seer, not the mental event.
Sleep: Absence of Awareness—and the Potential for Lucid Dreaming
Interestingly, Patanjali includes sleep (nidra) as a mental event. While sleep is essential for physical and mental rejuvenation, it is still a state of mind where awareness is typically absent. In the context of yoga, sleep represents a gap in our mindfulness—a temporary state where the mind is not engaged with external reality but is still present in a subtle way.
However, there’s another dimension to sleep that Patanjali may be pointing toward: the practice of remaining aware even while dreaming. This is known as lucid dreaming, where the dreamer becomes conscious of the fact that they are dreaming. Just as we practice mindfulness in waking life, it’s possible to cultivate awareness during dreams, allowing us to witness the dream without becoming absorbed in the content.
In dreams, we are often fully engaged in the mental events that arise, much like we are in our waking life. Yet, with practice, we can maintain a sense of the Seer—the witness of the dream itself. Neti Neti can become a spontaneous practice even in the dream world, reminding us that we are the dreamer, not the dream. For those who are interested, this practice can be cultivated over time, offering a deeper level of awareness during the state of sleep.
Bringing It Into Practice: Staying Present Amid Mental Events
As with the other mental events we’ve discussed, both imagination and sleep can be observed without judgment. Rather than getting caught up in the content of our imaginations or losing ourselves in unconscious moments, we can use the practice of Neti, neti to return to the present. By simply acknowledging these as mental events, we free ourselves from their pull.
When you find yourself lost in an imaginative thought, you can gently remind yourself, “Neti, Neti. I am the witness. I am the Seer.” This allows you to return to a place of stillness and clarity, observing the imagination without engaging with it. Similarly, if you notice moments of mindlessness or dullness creeping in during your day—or even in the dream state—the same practice can bring you back into awareness, helping you stay present.
This practice doesn’t require us to suppress imagination or fight against sleep; instead, we recognize these mental events as temporary and return to the awareness of the pristine mind. By observing these fluctuations without attachment, we maintain the discipline necessary to cultivate equanimity and inner stillness.
Maintaining Discipline in Mindfulness
As we’ve seen before, discipline plays a crucial role in this process. The mind naturally drifts toward imaginative scenarios and moments of dullness. But through disciplined practice, we strengthen our ability to remain anchored in the awareness of the Seer. Each time we recognize imagination or mindlessness and return to stillness, we reinforce the clarity of the pristine mind.
Over time, this discipline allows us to witness mental events without becoming distracted by them, no matter how subtle or engaging they may be. By maintaining this mindfulness, we can rest in the simplicity of awareness, untouched by the mind’s fluctuations.
Coming Up Next:
In our next post, we will explore Sutras 1.11 and 1.12, where Patanjali continues to describe mental events, focusing on memory and the practice of non-attachment. We’ll reflect on how memory shapes our perception of the present and how cultivating non-attachment frees us from the patterns of the past. Join me as we continue this journey toward deeper self-awareness and peace.
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