In the study of Yoga and Vedanta, the concept of
Abhava Pratyaya Alambana Vrttih Nidra plays a significant role in understanding the nature of deep sleep and the states of consciousness. The term refers to a specific mental modification (vrttih) where the mind, lacking external or internal objects, rests upon the cognition of non-existence or absence (abhava pratyaya alambana). During this state, known as nidra or sleep, the mind is not actively engaged with sensory experiences, thoughts, or memories but is instead absorbed in a blank awareness devoid of content. This state is often seen as a temporary withdrawal from the waking and dreaming states, where impressions and desires recede, and the individual experiences a form of rest. However, it is not considered true liberation, as the impressions or latent tendencies (samskaras) remain, only to re-emerge upon waking. The exploration of Abhava Pratyaya Alambana Vrttih Nidra helps practitioners understand how consciousness interacts with absence and how one can distinguish between mere sleep and deeper states of meditative absorption. It also emphasizes the importance of awareness even in states where mental content is absent, offering insight into how the mind functions when it disengages from the world. In advanced practices, recognizing this vrttih allows one to transcend habitual mental patterns and move closer to sustained inner peace and self-realization.
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