- Explanation of deep sleep : Deep sleep involves no dreams or consciousness, and it gives the sensation of non-existence as if one has never been.
- Clarification about enlightenment vs. deep sleep : Enlightenment is distinct from deep sleep; the latter is a state of ignorance lacking awareness, not representative of one's true enlightened nature.
- The illusory sensation of non-existence : The feeling of non-existence in deep sleep may be mistaken for 'nothingness', but it is different from the 'nothingness' associated with one's true nature.
- The role of deep sleep for the body : Deep sleep, where the mind and self cease activity, is biologically essential, demonstrating the necessity for the mind to rest for the body's survival.
- Relation of deep sleep to true nature : Ramana Maharshi views deep sleep as the closest state to our true nature due to its characteristic 'not knowing', but this is not the same as the awareness in enlightenment.
- Mistaking ignorance for true nature : Although deep sleep is a state of complete ignorance, this ‘not knowing' aspect resembles the closest approximation to one's true nature if not enlightened.