Q: Master Lu, I often feel that I am performing recitations in my sleep. Sometimes I even recite the Heart Sutra. What does this mean? Do I get up and continue my recitation, or should I go back to sleep?
A:
- This could indicate that you have been making good progress in your Buddhist practice lately, so much so that even your subconscious mind is practising Buddhism and performing recitations. This is a good sign.
- In the case where you only recite a particular sutra or mantra in your sleep, it may mean that you need to increase the number of its recitations, or that you need to check if you are reciting it correctly.
- If you are reciting the Heart Sutra or the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Mantra in your sleep in the middle of the night, then it could be that your karmic creditor is asking you to repay karmic debts and that you need to recite Little Houses.
- If the act of performing recitation wakes you up in the middle of the night, you can go back to sleep.