“Though sleep and meditation may appear the same on the outside, deep, dreamless sleep is heavy and unconscious, while deliberately meditating inwardly is alert and conscious.”

–Nicolai Bachman, The Path of the Yoga Sutras

“It might be useful to note…[that] this sutra does not refer to the state of mind represented in the dream state – dream sleep corresponds to the vrttis of memory…. Nidra, sleep, then refers to deep dreamless sleep.”

–Edwin F. Bryant, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

“All other thoughts are temporarily suspended except this one thought of emptiness in the mind, which leaves its impression upon waking.”

–Sri Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

“…because mental activity never ceased, you were not aware of your true being as self-luminous, self-aware consciousness….for all the apparent stillness, deep sleep is not yoga.”

–Devadatta Kali, Managing the Mind

“Sleep is necessary for health and balance, providing a time for the body to repair itself and for the mind and emotions to release. If we are to function effectively and lovingly during the waking hours, the deep sleep that allows us to rest in our inner consciousness is of prime importance.”

– Nischala Joy Devi, The Secret Power of Yoga

“Exposing ourselves to happy and easy-to-digest impressions will reduce nightmares and promote pleasant dreams, which, in turn, will exert a positive influence on our everyday thoughts and emotions.”

–Nicolai Bachman, The Path of the Yoga Sutras

“…great masters affirm that we return temporarily to God during deep sleep. They explain that after a good night’s sleep, we feel refreshed not from physiological rest, but from the fresh energy that flows to us from God. This energy nourishes the spiritual, psychological, and physical levels of the human being.”

–Bernard Bouanchaud, The Essence of Yoga