“Appa, why are the most important aspects of our life the most neglected ones too?” Sai’s question lingered in the air as Yashaswi gazed at his child, who was lost in thought, eyes fixed on the open sky. There was something profound about Sai’s reflection, and Yashaswi knew it demanded careful contemplation.
Sai continued, eyes twinkling with curiosity, “Because they happen automatically, we don’t give them enough value.”
A slow smile crossed Yashaswi’s face as he asked, “What aspects do you think we are neglecting?”
“Breath and sleep, pa.” Sai’s reply came quickly, with a touch of playful admonishment. “I thought as a grown-up you’d know this better than me, but sometimes you’re like a child yourself.”
Yashaswi chuckled softly. “It’s okay. Can you tell me more about these aspects?”
Curiosity getting the better of him, Yashaswi steered the conversation. “What is one aspect you want to focus on right now?” He lowered his gaze, preparing for Sai’s scorching look—a silent yet effective form of persuasion.
Clearing his throat, he continued, “We spend about 25-30% of our lives asleep.”
Sai, quick to catch on, interrupted, “Yes, pa, I know. You’ll probably say we should invest that time instead.”
“Exactly!” Yashaswi nodded. “Our learning tradition stretches back to eternity. Our ancestors believed that Divine beings live among us and that every function, cosmic or individual, is governed by a unique intelligence.”
“Each of these intelligences is honored as Divine.”
“With our current level of understanding, we can’t fully predict, control, or even interfere in these forces’ functioning beyond a certain point—just as we can’t control a tempest, tsunami, or volcanic eruption. We’re simply witnesses.”
The conversation took a deeply reflective turn. “In much the same way, sleep is an intelligent function that repairs, restores, and rejuvenates our body and mind every day.”
“So, before going to sleep each night, you can invoke Nidra Devi, the Divine being who governs sleep. You can offer a simple prayer and visualize her holding you in her left palm, keeping you close to her heart. Listen to her heartbeat and let yourself be at peace.”
Sai’s excitement was palpable. “Appa, this is amazing! Even in sleep, our tradition connects us to the Divine. I love it!”
Yashaswi smiled warmly. “There’s more. I’ll tell you about Patanjali’s aphorisms soon. But for now, remember this—Indic wisdom holds principles and processes that can help us reduce unnecessary thoughts and achieve better sleep.”
“Once you grasp these principles and apply a few practices, terms like REM and non-REM sleep become easier to understand.”
Sai, satisfied but curious for more, concluded, “Pa, enough for today. You always say practice makes perfect. What else can I do besides imagining myself with Ma Nidra?”
“You can practice Yoga Nidra,” Yashaswi offered. “I shared a recording with you last night before dinner. If your friends want the link, have them send me a message.”
With a joyful smile, Sai nodded. “Okay, pa. I’ll let my three friends know.”
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