Understanding Insomnia: The Dance of Light and Dust
Written on
The Nature of Insomnia
When we label ourselves with the term "insomnia," we inadvertently fall into a pit of human arrogance. This perspective implies that "sleep" is an inherent state we should possess, and that we have somehow misplaced it. In reality, we exist as mere vectors within the vast universe—essentially nothing. Everything we experience is a gift from nature, and as beings connected to all, we merely reflect the universe’s radiance. If we understand that we do not inherently own anything, we begin to see that our attachment to the idea of "insomnia" may actually be what causes it.
There's no such thing as "sleep" in a fundamental sense, nor do concepts like "gain" or "loss" truly exist. This perspective provides a foundation for tackling insomnia. Philosophers view wakefulness as a performance of self-awareness while sleep represents a dialogue with our subconscious. These states alternate like the tides or the sun and moon in the sky. What we commonly refer to as "insomnia" is simply a disruption in the expected transition to subconscious dialogue, pushing us back into conscious awareness. It prompts us to reflect: why did the anticipated subconscious experience fail to occur, leading to our restless search?
If we consider ourselves as cosmic dust devoid of possession, we naturally receive the dual gifts of wakefulness and sleep. The active state of wakefulness is within our control, while sleep is a celestial gift. Sleep resembles an invitation to a profound subconscious experience; the more desperately we chase it, the more elusive it becomes, often appearing unexpectedly when we least anticipate it.
Thus, by letting go of our attachments, embracing the world around us while awake, and releasing our fixation on sleep, we can naturally attain what we seek. Sleep is akin to a dog’s tail: the more we pursue it, the more it slips away. It is only when we confidently focus on other pursuits that sleep will faithfully accompany us.
To truly liberate ourselves from insomnia’s grasp, we must engage in vibrant daily activities that our brain will process as material for our subconscious when night falls.
Addressing the Challenges of Daily Life
However, what happens when our desires, attachments, and worries prevent relaxation, causing us to miss the subconscious invitations of nighttime? How can we find balance in our work and personal lives?
These challenges do exist, yet often it is our preoccupation with them that exacerbates our insomnia. The subconscious is not a construct; through cultivating mindfulness, our bodies can establish a natural sleep cycle, inviting us to rest at night. Sometimes, we become overly stimulated by anxieties, regrets, or social disruptions, which can lead to erratic sleep patterns. In such instances, we often strive for sleep, but it becomes increasingly elusive. This serves as a signal from our subconscious that external circumstances have triggered inner unrest, pushing us back to a state of consciousness and activity. When we resist this natural rhythm and insist on forcing sleep, we create tension that renders restful sleep unattainable.
Many who subscribe to notions of "the great way of nature" or "harmony between man and nature" believe that our actions should reflect natural laws. While this viewpoint holds some truth, it mistakenly equates the outcomes of our actions with their causes. The natural rhythm of our daily lives flows from our ability to engage with it without excessive pursuit; it’s not merely a rule to follow. Overemphasis on rigid schedules can lead to superficial adherence to early bedtimes and awakenings without genuinely achieving restful sleep.
Those who cling to the idea of "the great way of nature" often fail to grasp its full implications, using it as a blanket justification for all aspects of life, believing that everything will align if only it fits this vague worldview. However, without considering environmental influences, their lives may be filled with unnecessary suffering. If we regard the cycles of day and night as one gear, then societal operations represent another. Those with this mindset often overlook the latter, striving to conform to natural rhythms while ignoring the complexities of modern life, such as overnight travel or irregular work hours. True understanding of "the great way of nature" and "harmony between man and nature" involves finding a balance between these two gears rather than disregarding societal rhythms.
A person brimming with vitality is simply "harmonizing with light and dust." To harmonize with light means to acknowledge our place as mere grains of sand within a vast universe, seamlessly integrating with our surroundings—where social dynamics are an extension of the natural world. In a conducive sleep environment, we become less particular about our sleeping conditions, embracing what surrounds us rather than isolating ourselves. By navigating the interplay between nature and society, we can achieve equilibrium: sleeping early when there’s nothing to do, staying up late when necessary, and forgoing sleep when required. It’s only by relinquishing the quest for sleep that it will seek us out. Even if our physiological rhythms are temporarily disrupted, they will eventually normalize, ensuring restful nights.
Ultimately, the concepts of day and night, existence and non-existence, are rooted in emptiness, lacking any definitive truths. Science informs us that "time is ultimately an illusion," and our focus should be on maintaining balance within this illusory realm. By letting go of time constraints, we can align ourselves with nature's rhythms and live harmoniously with society. Insomnia becomes irrelevant when we recognize that there is no sleep to lose; we are simply minute particles in this expansive universe, naturally blending into our reality, ready to accept the invitations from our subconscious.
The video "Faithless - Insomnia (Official Lyric Video)" delves into the theme of sleeplessness, resonating with the struggles and reflections surrounding our quest for rest.