Sleep & Brahmacharya
Question
Respected Dhananjay,
1. I sometimes feel extremely sleepy, either in afternoon or in evenings even though I take only vegetarian diet with very less oil, onions, potatoes etc. Many times this also happens in meetings where my mind yearns strongly to lie down somewhere, stretch my legs and sleep with deep snoring, all in imagination. Somehow I feel sleepiness is associated with something gross and non-brahmharya. What is the probable reason and does sleepiness have something to do with karma?
Also I have been feeling sleepy in classes since I was in class 11(1997) and that time I never had experienced something related to lust/sense pleasures etc.
2. You usually suggest to wake up at 4 am and follow the rituals of yoga, what if I wake up at 6 am since I go to sleep at around 1:00 am?
3. How many hours of sleep is necessary that we feel refreshed and energised?
Regards
Answer
1. It takes many years of honest Yogic practice with Brahmacharya for Tamas (inertia responsible for sleep) to reduce in extent. Right food, Yogic practice and a spiritual attitude reduce its intensity to a large extent. However, freedom to a large extent comes only with time and consistent efforts. Also, extreme exhaustion resulting from anxiety, stress, fatigue from overwork and the like also cause sleepiness. Sleeping during daytime is best avoided and if indulged in after luch should not exceed 15~30 minutes. Excess sleep burns Ojas and Prana.
2. Wake up as early as possible and retire to bed as early as possible. This is the golden rule.
3. 7-8 hours of sleep suffice the normal man. After many years of advancement, sleep requirements reduce further. The amount of sleep also depends on the nature of oneยs work. Very strenuous work which exhausts the system triggers longer sleep. Hence work should be correct and not over the limit.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)