Human Development

Jagrat state of waking consciousness

Description:
One of the three [avasthas] recognized in yoga as dominated by the subjective influence of the ego. The ordinary waking state, it is said by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to be the first in a series of seven states attainable to the human being, a state from which eventually [turiya], or objective consciousness, may be reached. The senses and the mind are directed outwards towards the material world so the ego can enjoy the incoming perceptions. In the Mandukya Upanishad, [jagrat] is said to be the field of [vaisvanara], the material condition.