Do you exist in sleep?

M: Do you exist in your sleep?
D.: I do.
M.: The same being is now awake and asks these questions. Is it not so?
D.: Yes.
M.: These questions did not arise in your sleep. Did they?
D.: No.
M.: Why not? Because you did not see your body and no thoughts
arose. You did not identify yourself with the body then. Therefore
these questions did not arise.
They arise now because of your identity with the body. Is it not so?
D.: Yes.
M.: Now see which is your real nature. Is it that which is free from
thoughts or that which is full of thoughts?
Being is continuous. The thoughts are discontinuous. So which is
permanent?
D.: Being.
M.: That is it. Realise it. That is your true nature. Your nature is simple Being, free from thoughts.
Because you identify yourself with the body you want to know
about creation. The world and the objects including your body
appear in the waking state but disappear in the state of sleep. You
exist all through these states. What is it then that persists through
all these states? Find it out. That is your Self.
D.: Supposing it is found, what then?
M.: Find it out and see. There is no use asking hypothetical questions.
D.: Am I then one with Brahman?
M.: Leave Brahman alone. Find who you are. Brahman can take care
of Himself

Ramana Maharshi, Talks with RM – 586