“Sleep is the best meditation.” says the Dalai Lama.
That may be true, but while meditation is optional, sleep is non-negotiable. And despite what we like to tell ourselves, both the quality and quantity of nightly shut-eye matter—a lot.
The facts are sobering. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2025 Sleep in America Poll, adults who are satisfied with their sleep are 45% more likely to be flourishing across multiple measures, including vitality, happiness and productivity. Yet six out of ten adults still don’t get enough rest.
That’s the bad news. The good news? A local expert has just written the playbook for making the most of this nightly opportunity to maximize health and wellness.
Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, a longtime Santa Cruz Ayurvedic practitioner and former medical director at the Chopra Center, has co-authored a new book called Awakened Sleep—along with Dr. Sheila Patel, another former Chopra Center director. Deepak Chopra himself wrote the foreword, calling the book “a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern insights.”
Despite the authors’ impressive credentials, Awakened Sleep is approachable and engaging. The case studies feel relatable and grounded in real life. After all, who among us hasn’t spent a night tossing and turning, mind racing with work worries or tomorrow’s to-do list?
The book begins with the basics: daytime habits, nighttime rituals and even guided meditations—all designed to help readers “set themselves up for sleep success.” Yet Awakened Sleep takes the topic far beyond the usual checklist.
“Insomnia, it’s not a disorder; it’s a symptom,” the authors write.
According to Ayurveda and other forms of holistic medicine, insomnia is a symptom of an underlying problem. The key is identifying the imbalance that’s causing it, and then working gently to restore harmony.
Kshirsagar and Patel remind readers that we’re all wired differently. In Ayurvedic philosophy, these differences are explained through doshas—the three fundamental life energies known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha—which shape both our physical and mental characteristics.
Our dominant dosha, the authors say, can even predict our sleep tendencies. Vata types may struggle to fall asleep because of restless minds; Pitta types might wake up in the middle of the night replaying stressful thoughts; Kapha types tend to oversleep yet still feel sluggish. Understanding your unique constitution, the book explains, is the first step toward sleeping—and living—better.
Fortunately, Awakened Sleep makes this ancient system easy to grasp, offering self-assessments to help readers discover their own dosha and tailor their sleep practices accordingly.
If this sounds complex, the authors reassure readers that it’s actually empowering. By tuning into our individual nature, we can discover what truly works for us—not just what’s trending on social media or being pushed by the latest “sleep tech.”
In contrast, Western medicine often treats sleep like a one-size-fits-all problem. Can’t sleep? Take a pill. Too wired? Try an app, a patch, or a wearable device that monitors your every breath. While technology can be useful, the Ayurvedic approach offers a refreshing counterpoint: sometimes the most powerful data comes from within.
One of the most important aspects of Ayurveda, the authors explain, is cultivating awareness of internal stimuli—learning to listen to your body’s subtle cues. As Awakened Sleep describes, maintaining both an inner and outer ecosystem that supports balance is key to sustained well-being.
In fact, the authors call Ayurveda “the original biohacking methodology.” When we understand ourselves in the context of nature rather than data, we can make simple, sustainable changes that ripple through every area of life.
The book offers practical guidance—everything from evening wind-down rituals to dietary recommendations—and then invites readers to explore the deeper spiritual dimensions of sleep. Once we’ve addressed the physical foundations, Drs. Kshirsagar and Patel guide us into the connection between rest and higher states of consciousness.
Through practices like breathwork and sensory awareness, we can begin to view sleep as more than just a nightly reset. It becomes a pathway for emotional healing and spiritual insight—a chance to process, restore, and even awaken.
Dreamwork, too, plays a fascinating role in the book. The authors describe it as a proactive process: by observing and engaging with our dreams, we can uncover messages from our subconscious, heal emotional wounds and spark creative inspiration.
“Sleep is like a lamp at the door, giving you a glimpse into your consciousness, and illuminating both your inner world and the world around you,” they write. “It’s a chance to heal and awaken to the deeper truths of your existence. While sleep is often associated with darkness and fear, it doesn’t have to be. These feelings can be dispelled with practice. The techniques shared in this book are designed to help you convert sleep into something better, something to look forward to. When you approach sleep with a peaceful, sattvic quality, it becomes a tool for self-discovery.”
In a culture obsessed with doing more, Awakened Sleep reminds us of the simple, sacred act of being still. It’s an invitation to rest—not just our bodies, but our minds and hearts.
So maybe the Dalai Lama was right after all. Sleep really is the best meditation.
Awakened Sleep is available locally and online. Find more about Dr. Kshirsagar’s Santa Cruz–based Ayurvedic practice at ayurvedichealing.net. Sweet dreams!
Elizabeth Borelli is an author, yoga and breathwork teacher, plant-based nutrition expert. To learn more, visit ElizabethBorelli.com.
