Understanding the Fourth State of Consciousness

What is the fourth state of consciousness or Turiya as it is referred to in the Vedantic texts and how does that fit in with the waking state, dream state and the state of deep sleep? And what is the difference between Turiya and Turiyatita?

Rupert says that we normally think that deep sleep is a state that alternates with two other states of waking and dreaming. So we think that deep sleep is one state amongst three. To address that, the classic Vedantic teaching says, there's a fourth state — Turiya or pure consciousness. But now you have four states, so in order to address that misunderstanding, they introduced Turiyaita which is beyond or prior to the fourth. It is not a fifth state — it's the presence that underlies the three states.

Now the deep sleep state is only considered a state in relation to the waking and dreaming states. If we consider deep sleep a state that alternates with the waking and dream states, then deep sleep is something that comes and goes but if we understand that the deep sleep state is not a state, it is just the awareness of being, then it doesn't come and go. It's present all the time underneath the waking and dream states. And it's what we essentially are. So we are always in deep sleep and that's why it is said that meditation is to be deeply asleep whilst remaining awake.

*This video is taken from one of Rupert's in-person retreats at Mercy Centre, 7 to 14 May 2023. To view and book for upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:

Timestamps:

0:00 Turiya
0:59 Turiyatita
1:59 Different States Of Consciousness
2:42 The Fourth State Of Consciousness
3:03 Pure Consciousness
3:31 State Of Deep Sleep

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RS23066k

[adorableinsect]

I don't always agree with Rupert Spira, but this is one of the most beautiful and elegant analogies I've ever heard. Absolutely brilliant.

[mindfulkayaker]

Being a math teacher I love the parable of the pie chart in the background of the white paper to explain what the “fourth state” is.

[dbosho]

A wonderfully clear and elegant metaphor. Keeping in mind that the metaphor is not the Thing - whatever It is. The impact for this body-mind was a little tsunami of delight and joy in seeing the lights being shared and in witnessing understanding embracing itself. Beautiful!

[zoltanb]

The best part was the contagious laugh at the end.

[yanakord]

Yeah, I feel the same in waking state and in sleep. My mind is quiet, I feel peace in both "states". Thanks 4 the video, very profound and interesting❤

[ruisoares]

Another brilliant explanation! Thanks for sharing Rupert!

[devanshudesperado]

Rupert is Pure consciousness personified. We all are, but he know it well and can ignite it in others as well.

[KeerthanaR]

Wow, You made it so clear and understandable, , thank you so much ♥️♥️♥️

[Equipoise]

A joy of a man. Super teaching - as always.

[SaltAndVinegar]

As Einstein said, you can't solve the problem on the level where it occurs. So if we want to understand, we have to see the whole picture.

[HemPat]

wonderfully clear explanation of Turiyatitta 🙏😊

[A.Mohammadi-shiadeh]

My experiences confirm Rupert's words, and in my opinion, in deep sleep, the connection of our presence with our senses and mind is interrupted or disturbed, that's why after waking up, we have no information about that state in our memory.

[pilargarcia]

Genial!!! Muchísimas gracias!!!🙏🤗🤍🩵💙💜❤️

[mittenface]

No disrespect at all, but the speed of his talking put me into a deep sleep.

[daniellearame]

There’s more to the white color there you see the world of imaginaires the world of hourghalia the world of pure light that the spirit forms into body
Rumi said very rare and few can enter this world
I hope Rupert will talk about it

[zachburnett]

~ Sorrow

Untold. Unspeakable. Never ending.

Never ending? This can't be. This can't be.

Never ending...everlasting. Unspeakable.

Hell? Heaven? Both?

[chitraisenlightened]

the 4th is *beyond* the waking dreaming and deep sleep states..the Self, the Real I, permanently resides there filling It all up with Itself....there are no object, no content..thats where the Real I is realized..the waking, dreaming and deep sleep states come and go to this permanent Beyond when your real i is always..

[innercompass]

If brain activity and thus bodily sensations occur during deep sleep and Thatness is beyond the body-mind, why wouldn't Terea (sp?) not being equivalent to Thatness/non-objective Awareness. Hmmm 🤔

[rajapiduri]

True. The 'deep sleep' is the actual/real deal.. It is always in the background.. Nisargadatta and Bhagavan Ramana had mentioned this a few times - albeit rather sparingly, lest they are misunderstood. Another living Jnani (who seems to be in this 'deep sleep' but articulates it beautifully and succinctly in his native language - Telugu) is Athyasrami Subrahamanyam - who lives in a small town in Andhra Pradesh in South of India. He has been explaining these things for more than 30 years - that deep sleep is the original/primordial awareness and it is NOT a separate state and is only referred to as a separate state - relative to other states which come and go.

[erikrosenberg]

One of the best explanations I've ever heard. Bravo!