Mar 5th: The three states of Consciousness

Before we get into the 'States of Consciousness', let's see what exactly is, 'Consciousness'.

In Sanskrit Consciousness is called, "CHAITANYAM". Chaitanyam simply means LIVELINESS (action or activity). In other words anything without inertia.

Deeply reflect on this. What is responsible for the formation of a fetus in a mother womb which grows in to a baby in nine months and comes out as an infant? It doesn't stop there..goes through several transformations such as BALYAM (Childhood), YEVVANAM (Youthhood) , KAUMARAM (Middle age), VARDHAKYAM (Old Age). How is this all happening? Well, one can say that science has the explanation. But, regardless of how minute level it goes and explain the reason(s), there is always a level that is further, that they don't understand or haven't uncovered yet. Isn't It?  At some point 'Science' has to stop and say that it can't go any further and that,  "God alone knows it". 

VEDAS can explain where Science couldn't go any further. It says CHAITANYAM is behind all of this. The SAME CHAITANYAM that is behind every creation and transformation in this Universe. For instance, animals, insects, plant, trees and so on.  Anything we see in this world can be traced their origin back to PANCHA BHOOTAS (Earth, Water, Light, Air, Space) and whose substratum (moolam) is again CHITANYAM.

Having set the stage, let's now move on to 'The States of Consciousness' for a human being.

First State

  Jagratta (Wide awaken state)

 The body here is STULA SHARIRA (physical form). The mind is fully manifested which means that you are aware of yourself, your body and the world.

Second State

  Swapna (Dream State)

The body is SOOKSHMA SHARIRA (subtle form). The mind is not fully manifested. In your dream you see the world and everything appears to be REAL to you. But, you're not aware of your physical body. There is only mind, subtle body and the world. 

Third State

  Sushupthi (Deep Sleep State) 

The body is KARANA SHARIRA (Causual body). The mind is not manifested or non-existent. Recall the feeling when you wake up from deep sleep. You had no identification with this world. "My Bed, My House, My wife, My Children, My Car and so on" were virtually not there. Yet, you (self) existed. Didn't you? Surprisingly, we wake up and feel relaxed and rejuvenated in spite of the absence of mind. 

As you may have noticed, MIND is the center point for all the three states. When Mind is fully conscious (First State) you and the world fully exists. When it is partially conscious (Second State), you and mind are partially existent. In the third state where there is no mind, nothing exists.

As Annamayya says, "NINDARA RAJU NIDRINCHU NIDRAYU NOKATE...".  When nothing exists for you, how does it matter whether you're a king or pauper?

This "Deep Sleep" state is closet to what can be compared to BRAHMAM; yet it is way far and far away. Note, although it is the only one that compares, but can't truly describe Brahmam. As the Taittiriya Upanishad says, 'YATO VACHO NIVARTANATE APRAPYA MANASASAHA". Which means, BRAHMAM is the state where words or mind are unable to describe it, so they concede that it is beyond their ability and hence return back.

What is the 'Swaroopam' (it's form) of BRAHMAN?

It is, "SAT-CHIT-ANANADAM".

  SAT - Satyam. One that doesn't change.

  CHIT - Chaitanyam

  ANANDAM - One that is PURNAM (complete) is ANANDAM

Hence we virtually witness BRAHMAM every night in deep sleep. But it is missing the important component, "Awarness". By incessant and persistent Sadhana and with Eshwara Anugraham (God 's grace) one attains BRAHMAM.

Hari Om