Every human being is composed of three bodies or Spirits. Each body is then comprised of two subtle substances (latifa, plural Iata ‘if). al-nafs al-ammara: a.k.a. Animal Soul, lower Self, ruh hevani

=Soul (nafs)+ Heart(qalb). al-nafs al-lawwama: a.k.a. Human Soul, Ego, ruh insani= Spirit (ruh) + Consciousness (sirr), al nafs al- mutma’inna a.k.a. Contented Soul, Higher Self, ruh azam – Mystery (khafi)+Arcanum (akhfa).

These six subtle substances (or chakra, which we are going to call spheres) are further divided into six more layers of light and pure light (nur). From the three waves of light, diurnal senses are formed while through three pure-light (nur) waves nocturnal senses are formed. The layers of light are necessary for the diurnal senses while the pure-light waves are needed for the functioning of the nocturnal life.

Every one of us wakes up after sleeping. After waking up when our eyes first open, we enter into the conscious senses. We can call this state as semi-awakening. What we mean by semi-awakening is that during this stage we are not yet fully entered into consciousness. However, the moment we wake up from sleep and enter the first state of awakening, our soul is inundated by thoughts and actions; meaning that the awakened styles of thoughts and actions start flowing collectively.

After semi-awakening the second stage starts. During this stage, our mental alertness deepens. As it deepens the drowsiness that our brain feels, ends. During this stage, we enter into the state of exhilaration or slight intoxication (khumaar). This feeling of slight intoxication goes up and down and it activates the sphere of Heart (qalb). When the feeling of exhilaration gets stronger, it turns into Intuitive ecstasy (vijdan). This is the third stage of wakefulness. During this ecstasy the sphere of Spirit (ruh) is activated.

First stage:

Semi wakefulness (initiation of conscious senses) = Thoughts and action converge into one point = sphere of Soul activates.

Second stage:

The drowsiness decreases, gives away to alertness = exhilaration = sphere of Heart activates.

Third stage:

Exhilaration gets deeper = ecstasy = sphere of Spirit activates.

Just as there are three stages of wakefulness, there are three stages of sleep as well. The way we enter into wakefulness by going through three stages, we enter into sleep by going through three stages as well. The stage between sleep and wakefulness is ghanood (drowsiness).

During drowsiness the sphere of sirr (conscience) is activated. The second stage of sleep, which could be labeled as light sleep, is the movement of the sphere of khafi (mystery). The third and final stage of sleep, which is often called ‘deep sleep’, is the movement of the akhfa (arcanum) sphere.

A point to ponder is that at the start of all these states we all go through the state of stillness. When we wake up our mind is usually at peace and is filled with a feeling of emptiness. Similarly, during other states as well, we go through this period of brief tranquility. This means, to shift from one state to the other, serenity is essential. Just as during wakefulness every condition begins with that tranquility; in a same way, drowsiness senses also experience slight tranquility and after some moment this serenity of senses get deeper and turns into sleepiness. Early sleep after going through that quiet moment for a while turns into light sleep and then finally the quiet waves of deep sleep take over. That is why this influence is called deep sleep.