The Mandukya Upanishad, a concise Hindu text of 12 verses, explores the nature of the Self (Atman) and its relationship to the ultimate reality (Brahman). It does this through the symbolism of the sacred syllable ‘Om’ and four states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and the fourth, Turiya. Turiya is the transcendent state of pure, non-dual awareness, which is the true and unchanging Self, distinct from the temporary experiences of the other three states. The Upanishad’s central teaching is that by understanding and realizing this Turiya state, one achieves liberation from suffering.
