expressions: awkei = I when awake, sleepi = I in deep sleep, dreami = I in a dream
The sensed physical world, memories, imagined future and transient body chemistry sets up the ego's experiences. Origin of the ego remains a mystery to the scientific world. Involuntary body processes such as respiration, digestion, circulation and sub conscious activities continue normally regardless of sleep/dream/awake state.
The ego appears to be deactivated during deep sleep. The ego in sleep is equally devoid of experience as the ego in death. Yet we fear the cessation of experience in death but not in sleep. The cause of the fear is future continuity of the ego.
Hindu
philosophy describes a state of being in awareness but unperturbed by
sensations, emotions and thoughts. It is claimed to be the most blissful
state. Being wholly subjective, this state appears not to have
objective properties and hence beyond the scope of science. People who
describe this state have appeared from ancient times to the present.
Inquiry into the truth of this state calls for accepting precepts by
faith and indefinite investment of time spoiled by the knowledge that it
may ultimately lead to no new awareness. For these reasons, I do not
want to invest the time.
I hear that psychedelics produce ecstatic states that are otherworldly. This is promising, I want to have the experience.
