Understanding the Mandukya Upanishad: The Four States of Consciousness
November 5, 2026 · 5 min read · Amicus Occultus
The Mandukya Upanishad is a foundational text within the Advaita Vedanta tradition. It is short, consisting of only twelve verses, yet it provides a comprehensive map of human experience. It categorizes consciousness into four distinct states: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and a fourth state known as Turiya. By examining these states, the text invites the reader to look past shifting appearances toward a stable, underlying awareness.
At its core, the Mandukya Upanishad suggests that our sense of self changes depending on our state of consciousness. In the waking state, we identify with the body and the external world. In dreams, we identify with internal projections. In deep sleep, we seem to lose identification altogether. The fourth state, Turiya, is described as the backdrop upon which all these experiences occur. It is not an experience that comes and goes, but rather the reality that remains when all else is quieted.
Understanding this framework may help you navigate your own internal landscape, especially during times when your thoughts feel restless. Please note that if you are currently experiencing significant distress, it is important to seek support from a doctor or counselor. In the United States and Canada, individuals can dial or text 988 to connect with help at any time.
What are the four states of consciousness in the Mandukya Upanishad?
The Mandukya Upanishad divides human experience into four levels. The first is Vaishvanara, the waking state, where we are aware of the external world through our senses. The second is Taijasa, the dream state, where our awareness is turned inward, interacting with mental images as if they were real. The third is Prajna, the state of deep sleep, where there is no object of awareness and no suffering, yet there remains a veil of ignorance because the underlying reality is not yet consciously known.
The fourth state, Turiya, is fundamentally different. It is often described not as a state, but as the ground of all states. While the first three are subject to change, Turiya is unchanging. It is pure awareness, often associated with the silence that precedes and follows the sacred sound of Om. The text argues that by recognizing Turiya, one ceases to mistake the shifting nature of the other three states for the totality of who they are.
Advaita Vedanta versus Buddhist perspectives on the self
While the Mandukya Upanishad serves as a pillar for Advaita Vedanta, it is useful to note how other non-dual traditions view these concepts. In Advaita Vedanta, the goal is to realize that the individual self, or Atman, is identical to Brahman, the ultimate reality. The state of Turiya acts as a doorway to this realization.
In contrast, many Buddhist traditions, particularly those influenced by Madhyamaka philosophy, emphasize the concept of anatta, or no-self. Instead of looking for a permanent witness or soul behind the states of consciousness, Buddhist inquiry often focuses on the emptiness of these states. Rather than seeking a stable 'I' in Turiya, a Buddhist approach might encourage the practitioner to see that waking, dreaming, and deep sleep are all dependently originated and lack an inherent core. Both traditions arrive at a similar sense of relief from the clinging that causes suffering, yet they describe the destination using different maps. The Mandukya Upanishad offers one specific, contemplative path through this territory.
How does the Mandukya Upanishad use the symbol of Om?
In this text, the syllable Om is broken down into its constituent parts—A, U, and M—to represent the first three states. The 'A' sound corresponds to the waking state, the 'U' to the dream state, and the 'M' to deep sleep. The silence that follows the sound of Om represents Turiya.
This symbolism is designed to be a meditative tool. By chanting or contemplating the sound, one is invited to transition from the gross experience of the external world through the subtle world of thought, into the stillness of sleep, and finally into the silent ground of pure being. It serves as a reminder that the totality of reality includes both the manifest noise of life and the unmanifest quietude of existence.
A simple practice to explore awareness
You can explore these states for yourself with a brief, quiet observation. This practice focuses on noting the transitions rather than the content of your thoughts.
- Find a comfortable position where you can remain still for five minutes. Close your eyes.
- Bring your attention to the sounds around you. Do not name them or judge them; simply let the waking awareness register the external world.
- Shift your focus to your internal thoughts. Notice that you can generate or recall mental images, similar to a dream. Observe that you are the one watching these images appear and disappear.
- Imagine the stillness that occurs in deep sleep, where there are no images or external inputs, only a quiet, blank peace. Allow yourself to rest in that sense of 'being' without trying to define it.
- Notice that regardless of which state you are focusing on, something is consistently present to witness it. Rest in that awareness for a few moments, knowing it is always there, even when you are not actively looking for it.
The relationship between Turiya and everyday life
A common misconception is that Turiya is an exotic state to be achieved through long hours of meditation. The Mandukya Upanishad suggests, however, that Turiya is already present. It is the awareness that allows you to read these words, just as it is the awareness present in the moment before you fall asleep. It does not require a change in environment or a specific set of circumstances to exist.
The challenge is not to 'find' Turiya, but to stop ignoring it because we are so preoccupied with the waking state. We are often caught in the cycle of the waking mind, reacting to the world as if it were the only reality. Recognizing the fourth state provides a sense of perspective. It allows one to participate in the activities of the day while holding a steady awareness that nothing you experience—not the joy of the day nor the stress of a deadline—can actually touch the nature of who you are.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turiya the same as unconsciousness? No, Turiya is described as the highest form of consciousness, characterized by pure awareness, whereas unconsciousness implies a lack of perception.
Do I need to be a scholar to understand the Mandukya Upanishad? Not at all; the text is designed to be understood through personal contemplation and quiet observation of your own mind rather than academic study.
What is the main takeaway of this teaching? It encourages you to look past your temporary thoughts and experiences to realize the unchanging witness that is always present in your life.
How does this help with daily stress? By identifying with the witness of experience rather than the experience itself, one may find a greater sense of stability and detachment from the fluctuations of daily events.