Yoga Nidra

– The Blissful Relaxation

Most people sleep without resolving their tensions, This is termed nidra. Nidra means sleep, no matter what or why, But yoga nidra means sleep after throwing off the burdens, It is of a blissful, higher quality altogether. When awareness is separate and distinct from the vrittis, When waking, dream and deep sleep pass like clouds, Yet awareness of atma remains This is the experience of total relaxation. Relaxation does not mean sleep. Relaxation means to be blissfully happy, It has no end. I call bliss absolute relaxtion; Sleep is a different matter. Sleep gives only mind and sense relaxation. Bliss relaxes the atma, the inner self; That is why, in tantra, Yoga nidra is the doorway to Samadhi. By Swami Satyananda Saraswati