Through research, it was discovered that people who sleep more than average are more introverted; but they are more creative. Artists are relatively languid and slow in their movements.
Musicians also seem to be lazier and like to sleep more. They are not as active, and do not get excited or make friends easily. They don't like a hustle and bustle environment or crowds, and prefer to be alone. They can do temporary work that takes short periods of time, but can not have enough patience to execute large plans. They don't have the patience and interest.
Artists do not like to engage themselves in ordinary work. They do not care for the nine-to-five office working life, or some sort of grand plan. Most artists are poor financially. Is it not so? (Audience: Yes!) So, we call them "artists".
Part of the reason that they sleep so much is that their dreams are longer than those of the average person. People who sleep only very little have shorter dreams. (Audience laughs.) It is said that: the more introverted one is, the more complicated one's subconsciousness will be -- more complex than the lively and active people. Therefore, they must have more sleep in order to solve their so-called psychological problems.
Now, those who sleep a lot have an excuse to do so. (Audience laughs.) I have provided you with such good information (audience laughs), so you know how to reply. We should no longer be afraid of others accusing us of sleeping too much, and there is no need to have a guilty conscience. (Audience laughs.)
However, if we do not sleep for more than seventy-two hours, we will find that we change a lot. We cannot concentrate and think, act energetically or display our intelligence, and we feel rather dull and obtuse. Our reactions are so slow, and we can't do anything about it. We don't know how to react.
There was a man who saw that his master did not have any sleep for days. He also observed that other masters were more or less the same; and even if they slept, it wouldn't be for too long. It is because true masters have become one with the inner awareness. They are connected to it, so they don't have to sleep.
Sometimes I was very busy with my work and did not notice that my attendant was very tired. He kept nodding, and I didn't realize it. Then he asked for a leave, in order to have a retreat; and I didn't know why. (Audience laughs.) He was with me for only a few days and he wanted to have a retreat, because he couldn't take it anymore! I didn't understand.
Now I know, after having read this book. (Audience laughs.) From now on, if you want to have a retreat and have some sleep, you can remind me. The true masters can work from within for twenty-four hours a day. No problem! Three or four hours of sleep is enough for them. If the situation requires, they can also go without any sleep.
Some spiritual practitioners are very contented, lively and at ease, because nothing is stuck in their minds. They are more ingenuous, and do not feel any restrictions or pressure. Therefore, they don't need much sleep, and still remain very relaxed and energetic. It truly is so.
If you recall, when we were happy, cheerful, no matter for what reasons, no matter if we were with friends, husband, wife or children, we could chat happily all through the night. Even though we only slept for one or two hours, we still felt that we were full of energy. When we were miserable, carrying a guilty conscience, or when karma came, we felt very, very tired, no matter how much we slept. That was why I told you this morning to relax, relax, and relax!
Love your family, truly love them, and they will love you, too. Then, due to this love, we will feel very lively and happy. It will be easy for us to accept people from outside, and to love others. Try it when you return home. This is the path to being happy. (Applause)
Most people owe their success in their career to having a secure family. Members of their families have more affection for each other. They are more united and cooperative, and not complicated. Both the husband and wife give a harmonious atmosphere, so they are not easily affected by the trials outside. They are also not easily troubled. When we are happy, we do not mind about others' mistakes as much. We are not concerned or troubled.
If we refuse the love from our families, refuse the love from people close to us, then we will not be successful in whatever we do. We will feel so miserable that we cannot bear even ourselves; and of course, we cannot bear other people.
The disorders and troubles in society all come from dissonance at home. It is because we don't have good friends who are willing to make sacrifices, to offer sympathy to each other, accept each other, and respect each other. We don't have anyone who truly knows us well and can be a friend for life. Understand? (Audience: Yes!)
That was why I said not to turn your home into a hell. Because we live in it, we need to look after it, organize it, repair it, make it look beautiful and turn it into a heaven. It is not out of compassion or brotherly love that we love others. We love others because we want to be comfortable and happy. The more we offer our love to others, the more others will love us. When all the people love each other, how comfortable that will be!
