One thing common to each and every human being on this planet is sleep. And in our Marga sleep has a distinct role. However, because some are not familiar with Baba's guidelines that is why it has become quite common to see people (a) sleep AFTER paincajanya, (b) stay awake late into the night watching old movies etc, (c) or other types of unhealthy sleeping patterns. But all such ways are to be avoided.

As we all know, Baba guides us in various places that sleep plays a highly unique role in the life of each and every being of this universe. Sleep is not just a waste of time-- but rather satisfies a very special function for the body & mind. By Baba's grace He has provided us with all the do's and don'ts regarding sleep as well as how it benefits human existence.

WHEN HUMANS SHOULD SLEEP

As a general health rule that pertains to every human being, Baba

specifically states that human beings should sleep during the night-- not

during the day.

Baba says, "Sleeping during the day and staying awake at night are to be

avoided." (CC-3, 'General Health Rules', pt#9)

WHY SLEEPING AT NIGHT IS BENEFICIAL

Baba clearly explains how and why nighttime

sleeping is beneficial for human beings. His main point being that the

pattern of keeping awake in the daytime and sleeping at night helps the

body restore and revitalise itself. By this way the blood cells, nerves,

and glands of the human body get restored and charged. Because sunlight has

a generating effect on the human body and moonlight makes one feel more

tired. And other biological and natural effects are also linked with

maintaining this type of sleep cycle.

That is why human beings feel fresh and revitalised in the morning. Because

sleeping at night helps humans regain their energy level-- both mentally

and physically.

Baba has also revealed that there are various animals who derive benefits

by following an opposite approach to sleeping and living. These are nocturnal beings-- but for humans this approach is not good.

 

PROPER SLEEPING PATTERNS CURE DISEASE

A proper sleep cycle-- i.e. sleeping at night-- also plays an important

role in the curing and treatments of various diseases such as: Acidity,

Indigestion, Heart Disease, White Leprosy, and Cancer etc. In His book,

Yogic Treatment, under the 'Do's and Don'ts' section Baba warns patients

not to adopt a reverse sleeping pattern.

Baba says, "Sleeping during the day, staying awake at night... are to be

strictly avoided." (YT, 'Cancer Chapter')

So not in one place but in numerous instances throughout the book Baba

issues this same warning-- otherwise the disease cannot be cured, nor

prevented. So following an improper sleep pattern is hazardous to one's

health.

 

DON'T SLEEP TOO MUCH

At the same time, sleeping excess amounts during the night is not good for

the human existence. So people-- especially sa’dhakas-- should be very

attentive to how much sleep they are getting, i.e. we should all be careful

not to oversleep.

"Nidra'-tandra'..."

Baba says, "The ancient people believed that excessive sleep is good for

health, but this is not the case. Rather, too much sleep not only impairs

the health, but has an adverse effect on the mind." (AV-8, 'Bad Habits...')

 

SECRETS FOR A LONG LIFE

To maximize human longevity, Baba has given a short list of very important

guidelines. And two of those are related with our sleep-awake cycle. Hence

there are numerous benefits to maintaining a proper sleep schedule-- one of

which is longevity of life.

In His secrets for a long life, Baba has given these points:

(A) "Going to sleep as soon as one feels sleepy." (CC-3, Appendix, point #3)

As we can all understand, in the above directive, Baba is guiding us not to

force the body to remain awake late at night. This should not become our

regular way of living. Sometimes due to pressure of circumstance it may be

unavoidable, but that should be minimized. On the opposite end of the

spectrum, nor should one lie down in bed before they feel ready to go to

sleep. So our standard practice should be to sleep when tiredness overcomes

one's existence-- i.e. "when one feels sleepy". And as far as possible,

through developing a regular habit, one should sleep each night at the same

time, at a proper time that is not too late. That is the basic idea of

Baba's teaching.

(B) "Getting out of bed in the Bra'hma Muhu'rtta [just prior to sunrise]"

(CC-3, Appendix, point #8)

In this second directive, as is quite evident, Baba is guiding us to arise

before daylight hours. That means getting up for Paincjanaya and then

staying awake. All too often we see sadhakas wake up for paincjanya and

then go back to sleep for 1, 2, or even 3 hours. Or one might justify to

themselves that since they woke up for paincjanya then they can sleep again

just after lunch etc. But this is not Baba's system. Arising in the

pre-dawn hour means concluding one's sleep at that point and beginning

one's spiritual routine of meditation and asanas and bathing and then later

taking food and attending to one's allotted daily duties, work, and pracara

activities etc. And one should not return back to bed until the end of day

after one has completed their evening meal and attended to their evening

duties and family affairs etc.

Hence following a standard sleep pattern of 'early to bed & early to rise'

is an optimal approach for human beings. This will lead to a long and

prosperous life.

 

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's infinite grace and compassion may we all become great bhaktas and

wipe away all injustices from this earth and usher in that brilliant pure

era of peace and vitality.

Baba says, "Those who can dedicate their all to the thought of the Great

and the inspiration of the Supreme are verily the most heroic. Indeed, they

are the virtuous, and they alone are capable of taking human history from

darkness to light." (A'nanda Va'nii, #22)

 

NOTE 1: THOSE SUSCEPTIBLE TO POOR SLEEP PATTERNS

It is often seen that students in particular adopt an unhealthy sleeping

pattern. Often they stay awake late into the night to attend to their

studies and then they arise in the mid-morning-- hours after sunrise. Part

of the reason for this is that they find it easier to study when it is

quiet and the mid hours of the night provide such an environment. This is

especially true in India and other so-called third world countries where

all family members are living in the same house. And student in overseas

areas often remain awake at night either to due extreme busyness in life or

due to procrastination. In any event, if at all possible students should

adjust their routines according to Baba's guidelines.

It is also seen that those attending to a Mon-Fri work week, often like to

"sleep-in" on Saturdays and Sundays. Some students also like to do this.

But this also is not a healthy practice.

Then there are some people who we call "night owls". There are various

professors and internet fanatics etc who spend large portions of the night

glued to their various endeavours-- and then they sleep far into the day.

Unfortunately in this circumstance, often times we see that that human body

cannot be maintained for long in this type of backwards routine.

NOTE 2: NOCTURNAL BEINGS

Not all animals follow the same schedule as humans. Here following is a

list of those animals that are nocturnal-- i.e. they sleep during the day

and remain awake at night:

African hunting dog

Amethyst python

Armadillo

Aye-aye

Badger

Bandicoot

Bat

Beaver

Bullfrog

Bushbaby

Cassowary

Cat

Coyote

Deer

Deer mouse

Dobsonfly

Douroucouli

Echidna

Fennec

Firefly

Flying squirrel

Red Fox

Gecko

Gerbil

Ghost crab

Green Sea Turtle

Hamster

Snowshoe hare

Harvest mouse

Hedgehog

Heron Hippopotamus Hyena Kangaroo rat Kiwi Koala Leopard Loris Lumholtz tree-climbing kangaroo

Moth

Nightjar

Oilbird

Okapi

Opossum

Owl

Pangolin

Periwinkle

Possum

Potto

Raccoon

Rainforest dingo

Rat

Red-legged pademelon

Rhinoceros

Skunk

Sugar glider

Tiger

Tree frog

Weasel

Whippoorwill

White-tailed uromys

Wolf

Woodcock

As noted above, humans are not on the above list as being nocturnal.