Yes, according to the speaker, wakefulness is "on" even while sleeping. The speaker explains that the moment is always awake, and this wakefulness is the inherent nature of existence itself, not something that can be turned off or lost. The experience of "falling asleep" or being "lost in some daydream" is still within this fundamental wakefulness.
No, the author does not allude to wakefulness as merely a biological or cerebral phenomenon. Instead, the speaker presents wakefulness as a fundamental quality of existence itself, the "knowing" that is always present and indestructible, existing beyond the limitations of the individual mind or body.
This video explores the nature of reality and consciousness, using terms like "presence," "wakefulness," and "being" to describe a fundamental, unconditioned state. The speaker emphasizes that these concepts, when understood in their ultimate sense, do not have opposites and are always present, unlike how conventional language often distinguishes them from their perceived counterparts (e.g., presence vs. absence, awake vs. asleep). The core message is that this fundamental reality, referred to as "the light that's always on," is constant, indestructible, and boundless.
The transcript doesn't provide specific techniques or instructions on how to more firmly or strongly recognize or connect with this awareness. The focus is on understanding that this awareness (presence, wakefulness, being, openness) is already always present and has no opposite, rather than on a method to attain or strengthen it. The emphasis is on "seeing" or "recognizing" that it is always here.
While the video focuses on a shift in perspective rather than practical "how-to" steps, the key takeaway that could be considered practical is the understanding that the fundamental nature of reality (presence, wakefulness, being) is always accessible and present. This realization can lead to a less striving, more accepting approach to experience, as there's no fundamental "off" switch or absence to fear or overcome. The practicality lies in recognizing that what you're seeking is not something to be attained, but something to be recognized as already here.