If we do it consciously, it is mediation. It is much more powerful than sleep
*Chapter 7 - Alignment Of Planets*
There is a story in the Puranas. There was a couple who did not have any children. So they prayed and it is said that God came to them in a dream and asked them what kind of son did they wanted.
A stupid son with 100 years of life or an intelligent one with only 16 years of life? They opted for an intelligent boy with only 16 years of life.
Of course they got a son and they believed that when he was 15 years old he would die in one year. He was extraordinary, brilliant, and a genius and naturally the parents didn't like the idea of losing such a wonderful son.
So they prayed and it is said when the death call came, the boy sat in deep meditation and prayed and recited some mantras. He was granted another 16 years.
Today, people still recite the mantra made by this boy when there is some danger to life. It is well known in India.
One can remedy the effects of the planets by going beyond time, going beyond body consciousness and the breath consciousness, like in sleep.
When you sleep, you are not aware of the body, you are not aware of the breath and you are not aware of the world around you. You transcend these.
You make a shift. It gives you rest and refreshes you. It brings back more life energy into your life. Most of our illnesses are healed just by sleep.
This is because, in sleep we go beyond time and space, but we do it unconsciously. If we do it consciously, it is mediation. It is much more powerful than sleep
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji
Waves of emotions