An altered state of consciousness is a change in one's normal mental state as a result of trauma or accident or induced through meditation, drugs, some foods, etc. The person is not unconscious. There are also many common experiences that create altered states of consciousness (ASC), such as sleeping or daydreaming, sleep deprivation, euphoria or panic. Dream state, hypnosis, and meditation are also considered as ASC. ASC is a relative state of mental functioning. The mind is still wandering (such as in a dream) or concentrated and focused as in meditation. A thoughtless stillness could be experienced from time to time that could take us beyond ASC. Thus, ASC is a state wherein citta is still active; beyond this active citta is manas and buddhi, the last being in close proximity to purusha.