Nirodbaran

Correspondence with Sri Aurobindo

Second Series

1. Spirituality

Meditation

III. Meditation and Sleep

I have read in the Mother's Conversations that if one prays to her before going to bed to be conscious in sleep, it helps.

You have to start by concentrating before you sleep always with a specific will or aspiration. The will or aspiration may take time to reach the subconscient, but if it is sincere, strong and steady, it does reach after a time – so that an automatic consciousness and will are established in the sleep itself which will do what is necessary.

When I get up in the morning I find that the previous day's sadhana is forgotten. What should be done to keep up the continuity?

The gap made by the night and waking with the ordinary consciousness is the case with everybody almost (of course, the “ordinary” consciousness differs according to the progress); but it is no use wanting to be conscious in sleep; you have to get the habit of getting back the thread of the progress as soon as may be and for that there must be some concentration after rising.

You need not meditate at once – but for a few moments take a concentrated attitude calling the Mother's presence for the day.

At night, you have to pass into sleep in the concentration – you must be able to concentrate with the eyes closed, lying down and the concentration must deepen into sleep – that is to say, sleep must become a concentrated going inside away from the outer waking state. If you find it necessary to sit for a time you may do so, but afterwards lie down keeping the concentration till this happens.

But I find that the concentration before going to bed merges unconsciously into sleep.

These things cannot have their effect in a moment. You must persevere till the physical consciousness is penetrated.