Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi explains the nature of self-realisation, also known as sahaja samadhi, or ‘the natural state’. He explains that in the natural state of self knowledge, the body, mind, world and three states of waking, dream and deep sleep are not perceived by the liberated sage (jnani), but only the ignorant onlookers see the sage with an apparent body and a mind:

Ramana Maharshi: ‘So also a Jnani in sahaja samadhi is unaware of the happenings, waking, dream and deep sleep…In sahaja samadhi the activities, vital and mental, and the three states are destroyed, never to reappear.

‘However, others notice the Jnani active e.g., eating, talking, moving etc. He is not himself aware of these activities, whereas others are aware of his activities. They pertain to his body and not to his Real Self, swarupa.

‘For himself, he is like the sleeping passenger – or like a child interrupted from sound sleep and fed, being unaware of it. The child says the next day that he did not take milk at all and that he went to sleep without it. Even when reminded he cannot be convinced. So also in sahaja samadhi.’

~ Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, Talk 82