THE FOURTH STATEWhat Is the Fourth State?
In the yogic tradition described in the Mandukya Upanishad, consciousness has four states: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and a fourth called turiya, the quiet awareness that underlies the other three. On this site, the Fourth State is both the name of Bailey Guilloud's work and a practical aim: short guided practices that help you drop into a settled, spacious state.
Where the idea comes from
The Mandukya Upanishad, one of the shortest of the classical Upanishads, maps consciousness onto the sacred syllable Om. The sounds A, U and M stand for waking, dreaming and deep sleep. The silence after the sound stands for turiya, which literally means "the fourth."
Turiya is not described as a place you travel to. It is described as the awareness that is present during all three ordinary states, which is why it is often talked about as stillness rather than an experience.
What it can feel like in practice
Without the Sanskrit, most people describe it simply: attention that is steady, a body that has stopped bracing, and a sense of spaciousness around your thoughts. You are awake, but you are not rushing.
It is not a trance and not an achievement. It tends to arrive more easily when the body is grounded and the breath is slow, which is why the practices on this site start with the body.
How to start
Begin with something short. A three-minute morning gratitude breath or a four-count breathing reset is enough to feel a shift. When you want more depth, move to the 6-minute grounding practice or a 16-minute guided meditation.
What this is not
These practices are for relaxation and personal development. They are not medical treatment or therapy, and they do not require any religious belief.
Frequently asked questions
Is the fourth state the same as turiya?
They point to the same traditional idea. The Fourth State here is a modern, practice-first take on it. You do not need any background in yoga philosophy to use the meditations.
Do I need to be spiritual to try this?
No. If you can sit comfortably and follow your breath, you can use these meditations.
How long does it take to feel something?
Some people notice a settling effect within a single short session. Others need repetition. Treat it as a practice, not a performance.
Practice a little each day.
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