Spiritual

http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritual-living/how-to-sleep-better/sleeping-facing-north-south/

Effects of Various Sleeping Positions

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Each one of us would like to know how to sleep well so that we get up well-rested. A number of factors are involved in how to sleep well. One of the factors is our sleeping position. We all have a typical sleeping position and we feel comfortable when we sleep in that sleeping position. We are aware that there are implications of our sleeping position from a physical health point of view. Also there are many psychological explanations of the effects of different sleeping positions. In this article, we will explain how to sleep well from a spiritual perspective. We will focus on which is the best sleeping position to sleep well and why. We will explain what actually happens in the subtle dimension with each sleeping position, so that we can make an educated decision on how to sleep well and which is the sleep position to achieve that.

At the outset we have to understand that

- From a spiritual perspective, sleep is basically a state most related to the subtle basic Tama component. That means, during sleep the subtle basic Tama component in our body gets heightened.
- Coupled with this, as our spiritual practice is also at its lowest during sleep, we are spiritually most vulnerable when we sleep. As a result, when we sleep, we are more susceptible to attacks by ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies, etc.)

We also need a basic understanding of the Kunḍalinī energy system of the body.

The Kundalini is the inherent spiritual energy system in the body. It consists of 7 main centres or chakras, 3 main channels – the Sun Channel (Right channel or Pingalānāḍī), the Moon channel (Left channel or Iḍānāḍī) and Central channel (Sushumnanāḍī) and innumerable ducts and ductules.

The below diagram is a representation of the dormant Kundalini energy system in a human being.

Also refer to the diagram of the chakras in relation to the physical body

The energy for the bodily and mental functions flows through the Sun and Moon Channels. The energy flowing through the Central Channel is related to spiritual growth.

The Sun Channel is Raja predominant, whereas the Moon Channel is Sattva predominant. The energy flows alternately through the Ida and Pingala. This shift happens every 3-4 minutes. Even though the energy flow changes so often, as the Ida and Pingala cross sides across the body, both parts of the body receive adequate energy of each type. This maintains a balance between the 2 types of energy flows.

During the changeover from the Sun to the Moon channel, the Central Channel gets activated very briefly for 1-2 seconds in people with lower spiritual level. This is negligible from the perspective of any benefit derived from the activated Central Channel. With increasing spiritual level, the duration of activation of the Central Channel increases. Above 55% spiritual level, the duration of activation lasts for more than 1-2 minutes. When it lasts this long, some benefit results in terms of spiritual growth.

The activation of the channels also depends on the sleeping position. The channel opposite to the side we are sleeping on gets activated predominantly. When one sleeps on the back, the Central channel gets activated in people above the 55% spiritual level. In people below this level, no channel is activated.

The activation of the Sun or Moon Channel can also be as per the requirement of the body. For example, after our meals the Sun channel is predominantly activated to facilitate digestion of food.

Also when there is a surge of emotions, the Sun channel is activated. When the emotions subside, the Moon channel gets activated. However, when there are rapid and frequent vacillations in the emotional state, there is a rapid and irregular shift in activation of the two channels as the Sun channel remains predominantly activated. As a result, there is an imbalance in the two types of energy flows (Raja and Sattva). In an emotional person, this roller coaster of emotions continues even in sleep in the sub-conscious mind. This is because the impressions in the sub-conscious mind are active even in sleep.

Refer to the tutorial – The spiritual nature of the mind.

2. Sleeping position 1 – sleeping on the back

- When we sleep on our back the chētanā (the aspect of Divine consciousness that governs the functioning of the mind and body) in the cells of our body becomes unmanifest and dormant.

Chetanā is that part of the Divine Consciousness that governs the physical and mental functions, and also activates the five vital energies in the body

- Our body is most exposed to the Region of Hell (Pātāl), as a major portion of the body is directed towards the floor.

Due to the combined effect of the above two factors, the body cells are unable to repel the attacks by distressing vibrations from the Hell region.

Spiritual Level: If we consider that the spiritual level of a God-realised person is 100%, then the mode spiritual level of an average person in the present times is 20%. Over 90% of the world's population is below the 35% spiritual level. The minimum spiritual level of a person to be acknowledged as a Saint is 70%.

However, the effect of this sleep position differs as per the spiritual level of the person.

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Scenario 1: Spiritual level below 55%

In a person below the 55% spiritual level, the extent of emotions is quite high compared to his spiritual emotion (bhāv). Due to this, there are frequent and rapid vacillations between the channels. Hence, there is a constant imbalance in the energy flows from the Sun and Moon channels of the Kundalini energy system in the body.

As explained above, when a person below the 55% spiritual level takes a sleep position of lying on his back, his Central Channel is not activated. However, because of his emotional nature there is an imbalanced flow of energy to the body. The imbalance between the two energy flows of the Sun and Moon Channels can effect a rapid transfer of subtle basic Raja-Tama components in the body from the surrounding atmosphere. When there is an increase in the subtle basic Raja-Tama components, a person runs a higher risk of being attacked by distressing vibrations from the Regions of Hell. However, once one has progressed spiritually to the level of unmanifest spiritual emotion, one can control the energy flows. Till such time, it is best to avoid sleeping on one’s back where there is maximum exposure of the body to the ground, and thereby to the Regions of Hell.

Below is a drawing based on subtle-knowledge, of the effects of sleeping on one’s back when one is above the 55% spiritual level.

Remedy: However, for some reason if one does need to sleep on the back, the risk of distress can be reduced by using spiritual remedies like lighting a sāttvik incense stick, like the SSRF incense stick, near the bed before going to sleep, keeping a picture of God under the pillow, spiritual purification of the bedroom, especially near the bed, playing the chant of Name of God in a very low volume throughout the night, etc.

Scenario 2: Spiritual level above 55%

A sāttvik intellect is subtle basic sattva component predominant and is derived through spiritual practice. It has risen above being used for just worldly aspects and is devoted to serving God and spiritual growth. Until one has a sāttvik intellect it is very difficult to comprehend the implied meaning of Holy Texts.

When a person above 55% spiritual level sleeps on his back, his Central Channel of Kundalini system is activated. The spiritual emotion of this person is quite high; whereas the influence of emotions is quite reduced. When one is above the 55% spiritual level, one attains control on the flow of the subtle basic Raja-Tama in the body as per the requirement. This happens at the level of one’s unmanifest spiritual emotion. This is because one starts functioning more and more at the level of the Energy of Soul (ātma–shakti). This is opposed to the level of Energy of Mind (manaha–shakti) in the case of people below the 55% spiritual level. This Energy of Soul maintains the balance between the Sun and the Moon channels of the Kundalini system.

3. Sleeping position 2 – sleeping on the stomach

When a person sleeps on his stomach, there is pressure on the spaces in his abdomen. This pressure instigates the downward flow of the subtle excretory gases in the abdominal spaces. Sometimes when the proportion of these subtle excretory gases is high in the chest, they move in the upward direction too and exit out of the body through the nose and mouth. During the course of this dispelling of the subtle excretory gases, the body is highly sensitive to absorbing the frequencies of subtle basic Raja-Tama components from the external environment. When one is sleeping in this position, the movements of the actual body organs are slowed and the spaces around the organs are activated because of the pressure of the subtle excretory gases. Due to this, the process of excretion of subtle excretory gases excreted from the organs and filled in the spaces is hastened. During this period the person’s body is hypersensitive to the process of transmission of the subtle basic Raja-Tama components at the subtle level. As a result, the person is vulnerable to attacks by ghosts from the environment as well as from the Regions of Hell.

Below is a drawing based on subtle-knowledge, of the effects of sleeping on one’s stomach.

4. Sleeping position 3 – sleeping on the sides

When a person sleeps on his side, the Sun or Moon channels of the Kundalini system are predominantly activated.

Below is a drawing based on subtle-knowledge, of the effects of sleeping on one’s right side.

- The Moon channel is activated when a person sleeps on his right side.

Below is a drawing based on subtle-knowledge, of the effects of sleeping on one’s left side.

- The Sun channel is activated when a person sleeps on his left side, so this is considered as a best sleeping position.

When the Sun or Moon channels are activated, the chetana in the body cells remains activated. As a result, there is a lower level of the subtle basic Tama component generated and the chetana also helps fight the attacks from ghosts.

5. In summary

From a spiritual perspective, unless one is above the 55% spiritual level, best sleeping position is on the left side.

Best Sleeping Direction (East – West)

1. Introduction to going to sleeping with feet facing West

In this article on how to sleep well, we study the effect of sleeping with our feet facing the West direction. This study about how to sleep well is entirely from the spiritual perspective. It will help us take an educated decision about how to sleep well from the perspective of the direction of our feet when we sleep.

1.1 Spiritual research into how to sleep well – effect of sleeping with our feet facing West

Seekers of SSRF having advanced sixth sense or extrasensory perception (ESP) did spiritual research into different sleep positions. They sought to find out the effect of sleeping with our feet facing the West, and the best direction to sleep in. The Divine Knowledge that they received about the effect of sleeping with our feet facing the West, and the best direction to sleep in, was verified by His Holiness Dr. Athavale.

2. Spiritual effect of sleeping with the feet facing West

2.1 Benefit of the frequencies of Action of God

The frequencies of Action (kriyā-laharī) of God are aligned in the East-West direction. Their movement is in the space between these two directions. By sleeping with our feet facing West, we get higher benefit of these frequencies of Action of God. They give us strength to perform our actions.

2.2 Activation of the five vital energies in the body

Due to the transfer of the frequencies of Action in the body, the five vital energies situated at the level of the navel are activated. These five vital energies throw out the subtle excretory gases from the body through the medium of the sub-vital energies. This helps in the purification of the vital body (prāṇa-dēha) and the sheath of the vital energy body. This makes the person invigorated.

2.3 Benefit of the sattvik frequencies

At dawn sāttvik frequencies (apart from the above-mentioned) are transmitted from the East direction. These sattvik frequencies from the atmosphere enter our body easily from the Brahmarandhra (opening above the 7^thKunḍalinī system) when we are sleeping with our feet facing West, as our head then faces East. The opening above the 7^thKundalini chakra is the Sahasrār-chakra. By imbibing these sattvik frequencies we too become sattvik. Thus we begin the day with higher sāttvikā. Hence to begin the day on the highest positive note, we should sleep with our feet facing the West.

2.4 Clockwise motion of the body cycle

Apart from frequencies of Action of God and the sattvik frequencies at dawn, the pleasant sapta-tarang (lit. seven-ripple) frequencies come from the East direction. When we sleep with our head in the Eastward direction, we derive maximum benefit from the seven-ripple frequencies. Due to their influence our body cycle moves in the clockwise, i.e. desired direction. As a result, all body functions are optimised. The body cycle is the subtle intangible system of all gross and subtle body functions.

2.5 Relief from sleep-associated Raja–Tama particles

When we sleep with our feet facing the West, as our head is in the Eastward direction, 10% more seven-ripple frequencies are imbibed by the seven Kundalini chakras. As the chakras influenced by the seven-ripple frequencies move in the clockwise direction, the person gets benefit at a spiritual level. Hence one does not experience distress from the subtle basic Raja–Tama particles generated in the body due to the sleeping state. Thus one sleeps well.

3. In summary

From the above explanation we can see that from the perspective of how to sleep well, the East-West direction with the feet facing the West is the best direction to sleep in.

Sleeping with Feet Facing South and Bed in North-South Direction

1. Introduction to sleeping in bed facing North-South (feet facing South)

In this article series about sāttvik living pertaining to various aspects of how to sleep well, we are looking at various parameters of how to sleep well. In this article we will study the effect of sleeping with our feet facing South. This study into how to sleep well is entirely from the spiritual perspective. It will help us make an educated decision about how to sleep well from the perspective of the direction of our feet when we sleep.

1.1 Spiritual research into how to sleep well – effect of sleeping with our feet facing the South

The effect of sleeping with our feet facing South from the perspective of how to sleep well was investigated at a spiritual level by seekers of SSRF with advanced sixth sense or extrasensory perception (ESP). The Divine Knowledge that they received was verified by H. H. Dr. Athavale.

2. Spiritual effect of sleeping with feet facing South

2.1 Increase in activity of the downward and tiryak frequencies

There are various frequencies inherently present in the atmosphere. Their presence and flow is predominant in certain directions. When our body is aligned with the direction of their flow we enter their field and are influenced more than when we are not in their field. Among these frequencies are two types of distressing or negative frequencies. One type of frequencies are the downward flowing frequencies that go towards the Hell region (Pātāl) and the other are a type of frequencies known as the tiryak frequencies. Tiryak literally means skewed. As these frequencies are skewed, they cause distress. Both these frequencies move in the southern direction. Hence the southern direction is charged with these negative frequencies.

When we sleep with our feet facing South, our body is most exposed to the activity of the downward frequencies and the tiryak frequencies. This increases the activity of the subtle basic Raja-Tama particles both inside and outside the body. This increased activity of the subtle basic Raja-Tama component aids the activity of ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies etc.). Consequently, we face an increased risk of being affected or possessed by ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies etc.).

2.2 Increased flow of vibrations from the region of death and the region of Hell

The southern direction is also associated with the region of death (Yamalok), the subtle basic Raja-Tama frequencies and distress. When we sleep with our feet facing South, the vibrations from the region of death and the region of Hell join together.

Due to this we attract subtle basic Raja-Tama frequencies and ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies etc.). Consequently, as a result of the combined effect of the above when we sleep with our feet facing South, we can suffer distress in the form of difficulty in falling asleep, nightmares, feeling scared while sleeping or waking up in fear.

3. In summary

Thus from the perspective of how to sleep well, it is important to take into account the direction of our bed when planning the layout of the house. Even when we are camping outside or in hotels or in someone else’s house, it is best to take care that we do not sleep in the North-South direction (especially with our feet facing South).

In the following articles in this series on how to sleep well, we will consider the effect of sleeping with our feet facing other directions.

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