Q : If sleep be such a good state, why does not one like to be always in it? Sri Ramana Maharishi Conversation

A : One is always in sleep only.  The present waking state is no more than a dream. Dream can take place only in sleep. Sleep is underlying these three states. Manifestation of these three states is again a dream, which is in its turn another sleep. In this way, these states of dream and sleep are endless. Similar to these states, birth and death are also dreams in a sleep. Really speaking, there are no birth and death. [Talk-244]

After sleep the ego rises up and there is wakefulness. Simultaneous thoughts arise. From where? They must spring from the conscious Self. Apprehending it even vaguely helps the extinction of ego, after which, realisation of the ONE INFINITE EXISTENCE becomes possible. In that state, there are no individuals other than the Eternal Existence. Abide in the ever-inherent Self and be free from the idea of birth or fear of death. [Talk-80]

Q : We do not know we are dreaming, whereas in waking we do!

A : The dream is a combination of waking with deep sleep. It is due to the 'samskaras' of the waking state. Hence we remember dreams. 'Samskaras' are not formed otherwise; hence we are not aware of the dream world simultaneously. Still, everyone recollects strange perplexities in dream, when one wonders if he is awake or dreaming. When really awake, he finds all was only a dream. [Talk-399]

Q : How to remove ignorance?

A : While lying in bed in Tiruvannamalai, you dream in your sleep that you find yourself in another town. The scene is real to you. Your body remains here on your bed in a room. Can a town enter your room, or could you have left this place and gone elsewhere, leaving the body here? Both are impossible. Therefore your being here and seeing another town are both unreal. They appear real to the mind. The `I' of the dream soon vanishes, then another `I' speaks of the dream. This `I' was not in the dream. Both the `I's are unreal. But there is the substratum of the mind which continues all along, giving rise to so many scenes. An `I' rises forth with every thought and with its disappearance that `I' disappears too. Many `I's are born and die every moment. The subsisting mind is the real trouble. Find that and you will be happy. [Talk-49]

- from 'Conscious Immortality', under the topic: 'Avasthatraya'.