Exploring Turiya: The Fourth State (तुरीय)
A Meditation Workshop on the Experience of Dreamless Sleep

‘The bliss of deep sleep is a free sample of the awareness enjoyed by the mystics when they are awake.' — Rumi

The Hindu Upanishads describe the Self as having four states of consciousness: The first is Vaishvanara, in which the senses are turned out towards the external world, the second is Taijasa, in inner world of mind and dreams, the third is Prajna, the state of deep sleep, where there is nothing to observe and no one to observe it. These are all common experiences, but the fourth state, Turiya, refers to something distinctly uncommon: being awake during deep sleep. 

We may catch glimpses of this space when we awaken to the sound of the alarm clock, and feel ourselves being pulled from some deep blanketing bliss. A sense that we are emerging from somewhere so very good all too soon! In Indian spiritual traditions, great importance is placed on this state, with the famous guru Ramana Maharshi teaching that in deep sleep the Ahamkara, or ego-self, falls away and only the Atman, the true-self, remains. In Buddhism it is referred to as the Prabhāsvara, or Luminous Mind, whilst the Mandukya Upanishad comments:

‘The fourth is the superconscious state called Turiya, neither inward nor outward, beyond the senses and the intellect, in which there is none other than the Lord. He is the supreme goal of life. He is Infinite peace and love. Realise him!’

In this workshop we will meditatively explore the accessibility of such a seemingly lofty state of consciousness, seeing that it is perhaps not so far from our grasp. We will look at the potential this inner state of being holds for both our own sense of peace and stability, as well as for connection to others.

Saturday the 7th of February, 10am till 1pm, at the Wild Goose Space, Bristol