The Self is seen as the mind, the body or the world. That is to say, it becomes whatever you perceive it to be.

Devotee:  But we are advised not to fall into sleep during meditation.



Ramana Maharishi:  That is stupor you must guard against. That sleep which alternates with waking is not true sleep. That waking which alternates with sleep is not true waking. Are you now awake? You are not. You are required to wake up to your real state. You should not fall into false sleep nor keep falsely awake. Hence: Laye sambodhayeccittam vikshiptam samayet punah. What does it mean? It means that you should not fall into any one of these states but remain amidst them in your true unsullied nature.


Devotee:  The states are of our mind only.


Ramana Maharishi:  Whose mind? Hold it and see.


Devotee:  The mind cannot be held. It is that which creates all these. It is known only by its effects and not in its true nature.


Ramana Maharishi:  Quite so. You see the colours of the spectrum. Together they form the white light. But seven colours are seen through the prism. Similarly, the one Self resolves itself into so many phases, mind, world, body, etc. The Self is seen as the mind, the body or the world. That is to say, it becomes whatever you perceive it to be.