Mar 9th: Evolution and Involution of Consciousness

In the last post, "The Three Stages of Consciousness", we saw the three realms from which Sadhana is performed. For continuity and better understanding please read that post first. Today, we will take it a little bit further and see how the consciousness evolves for a person at the beginning of the day and the involution at the end of the day.

Evolution of Consciousness

Closely observe these chain of events before you wake up in the morning. 

1. A person goes to a deep sleep state (Sushupti, state 3 consciousness). Although alive,         for all practical purposes one is like a dead meat. No sense of  your body and mind.               Everything is absent here except the Soul made of pure consciousness.

         Atma Chaitanyam (nothing else exists for one)

2. Then comes the dream state, (Swapna, state 2 consiousness). The imaginary world             exists but is limited to your dream. Everything in this state looks real like wide awaken           state, but it  not truly real. Only subtle body exists and mind that dreams.

       Atma Chaitanyam  (Still nothing else evolves)

3. This state is just before one is wide awaken. This lasts only for a few seconds or a split of     a second. Here there is no mind or thoughts (Chitta Vrittis). So, it is a thoughtless        state which only has  "I thought...I am so and so" (Moola Talampu). This Moola Talampu (I thought) rises from the  Moolam (Atma Chaitanyam).

      Atma Chaitanyam > Mola Talampu (I thought)

4. Once the "I thought" is fully established as part of awakening process, it  performs what      is called as ADHYSANA (penetration) into DEHA (body), INDRIYA, (Sense organs),  MANAHA (Mind) and BUDDHI (Intellect). Please remember that "I thought" is also the that rised from Atma Chaitanyam (pure consciousness). 

As the Adhyasana (penetration) in Body, Mind, Indriya and so on...one begin to realize         their existence. Once the penetration fully done, then the person is wide awake and world     and his self appears to be existent to him or her.

   Atma Chaitanyam > Mola Talampu > Adhyasna > DEHA (Body)

                                                                                       > Indriya (Sense Organs)

                                                                                      >  Manaha (Mind)

                                                                                      >  Buddhi (Intellect)

     

Involution or Self Inquiry

Atma Vicharana (Self Inquiry) helps an individual to begin at the Step #4 and slowly, steadily makes his or her way into Step #1, where there is nothing except the PURE CONSCIOUSNESS which is the ATMA CHAITANYAM.

Hari Om

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

Mar 2nd: The Three Stages of Sadhana

There are three different levels or stages from which Sadhana is pursued. These are also known as ORDERS OF REALITY. When Sadhana matures in each stage, a Sadhaka gets transitioned into the next stage of reality.

The three stages or orders of reality as follows:

First Order of Reality - A Sadhaka thinks that Eshwara is different from him or her. (If Sun is the god then I am the worshiper...different from Sun).

Here, all Mano-Vak-Kaya karmas done by a Sadhaka is offered to Eshwara and whose outcomes (postive or negative) taken as   ESHWARA PRASADAM. 

What are Mano-Vak-Kaya Karmas?

Simply, these are the karmas done by a Sadhaka using Manas (Mind), Vak (voice) and Kaya (Body) which are,  Chintana (Dhyanam), Japa and Pooja respectively. These are also called as Tri-Karanas. Let us see a little bit more about these below:

 Mana (Mind): Mana is the representative among rest of the Antahkaranas viz., Buddhi, Chittam & Ahankaram.

Here is a simple example to understand ANTAHKARANAS.

"I am passing by a sweet shop...How about I eat some Rasgullas (MANASU).   Wait a minute, last time when I had my blood work done, my sugar was high (CHITTAM/Storage). What a life is this, I can't even eat what I like (AHAM, EGO). I will shut my mouth now and move away from sweets or else I will have to face the consequences for high sugar (BUDDHI)".

Here the mind is the one which is recollecting (Chitam), using its intelligence (Buddhi) and undermining the Ego (Aham) to make a decision that is in the best interest of me. Hence rest of the ANTAHKARANAS depend on mind to make it happen for them.

 Vak (Voice):  It is the representative of all 5 Jnana Indriyas. How? Anything one experiences such as, Seeing, Feeling, Tasting, Hearing, is expressed only thru Vak. Isn't it? For example, when my finger burns (feeling) I scream (Vak) that my skin is burning. 

 Kaya (Body): The physical act of karma is only done thru body.

So, we often hear,  "one should do karmas with Tri Karana Suddhi". Now, we know from above as to why is that.           

2nd Order - Anta Eshwara Mayam, Andulo Nenoka(Jeevi) Bhagam (If Sun is Eshwara then I am the 'ray-Surya Kiranam) BHAVANA

  What ever I do is mere, "Eshwara Sankalpam. Nenu (Jeevudu) Nimitha Matrudanu". It means, "God is instrumental in making things happen, I am just a medium". In other words, instead of,  "I am doing...its just HAPPENING (Eshwara Sankalpam)". So, we're merely instruments through which Eshwara is making things happen.

3rd order (Highest) - Non-duality. There is only one, that is, pure consciousness

Here there is no DIFFERENCE between Sun and Sun Rays; nor  I, Eshwara and Universe. It's all one.  Hence, there is no TRIPUTI anymore. All the three elements of TRIPUTI becomes ONE.

As a side note, TRIPUTI consists of three elements:
     SADHAKA - The one who pursues.
     SADHANA - The act of pursuing.
     SADHYAM - The goal or final destination (I chose this as my website name)

The one who reaches this goal (Sadhyam) is called a Siddaha. For example, Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Sivananda and a lot others.

To better understand this here is a simple example. The waves in an ocean look different from the ocean but if you touch them it's only water. Likewise   although, we see the differences (VIKALPAMULU) in this world, the substance is the same, just PURE CONSCIOUSNESS.

  This is actually the essence of the highest MAHA VAKYAM of Vedas, "TATTVAMASI".

     TAT  - That

     TVAM - YOU

     ASI  - ARE    (YOU ARE THAT)

YOU'RE THAT, what? You're that Chaitanyam (Conciousness) that is the substance of everything in this world. So this Jeeva Koti (Living beings), world, Universe etc. are just like WAVES who appear differently but when you realize them it's all Chaitanyam (Pure Conciousness)...just like water.

Hence a Sadhaka's final goal is to realize that it is JUST PURE CONSCIOUSNESS. The act of realization is called as Sadhana.

Hari Om

Feb 26th: Life Events and Situations

Are we handling the events and situations in our lives appropriately?

We don't know how to react to situations in our lives. Instead of being thankful for what we have, we tend to deprive ourselves of the trivial.

Reflect on this story:

Once, a mother and a 5 year old girl went to a beach. They had so much fun in the water. When they were about to get out, a huge wave came unto them and swept the child away from the mother into the ocean. The mother was devastated. She prayed to god that her child is everything to her and that she is ready to fore-go anything and everything for her. She just wanted her girl back.

Another huge wave came unto the mother, but this time it brought her child back . Her prayers were heard. The child was in perfect health, so the mother was very happy and embraced the child with tears in her eyes. However, in the next minute, the mother looked very upset and was scolding the child.  It turned out that the child had lost those very expensive shoes bought the day before. She went home with a feeling that her day was ruined!

The moral of the story is, "learn to deal with the events and situations (good or bad) in your life in their REALITY without missing the OBVIOUS".

Hari Om

Feb 23rd: Action and Reaction

In Sanskrit it is called, Anukriya (Action) and Pratikriya (Reaction).  We face situations in life; good and bad. We also face conflicts and disagreements on professional and family fronts.

A reaction to the above situations creates a conflict within a conflict and can intensity or deteriorate the situation. Whereas, an action creates Harmony, eases the intensity of a situation, promotes calmness & inner peace which eventually leads to resolution.

Reflect on this anecdote:

A 50 year old man lives on the 25th floor of a multi storied apartment. He was standing in his balcony. A neighbor shouted at him, "Hey Varma, your daughter Kavitha ran away with our watchman. She is a disgrace to the family!". The man thought he can't face the society and the insult, ending his life is the only solution. So he jumped from the balcony. He realized the following when falling through the floors:

20th Floor: "Wait a minute, I don't have a daughter named Kavitha"

15th Floor: "I don't have any kids and I have never been married"

10th Floor: "Oh my God! I am not even Varma...I am Sharma"

Pratikriya (Reaction)

Pratikriya (reaction) can ruins our lives. As you can see, it creates unnecessary stress and anxiety and make us loose the ability to look at things IN REALITY.  Instead of clearing the conflict, a reaction creates further disagreements and conflicts within itself.

Anukriya (action)

Anukriya (action) is simply creating harmony in a conflict by working with the conflict instead of working against the conflict.  So, an action is a wisely act of handling things without causing any mental, physical or emotional disturbances whatsoever.

The outcome of a "Reaction" is invariably bad. On the other hand, the outcome of an "Action" is always positive and productive.

Hari Om

Feb 18th: Soul vs Self

What is a, soul and self (I)?

Self is composed of two things, Body and Mind. Whereas, Soul is the foundation or space from which the Self operates.

When someone asks you a question, "who are you?".  The common answer is, "I am the body, I am the mind".  In vedic terminology it is called, "Dehatma Buddhi".

What is Mind and how is it "you"?
The answer we often hear is, "I think therefore, I am". But it is really, "I am (I exist), therefore I think". So, mind is yours...you're not the mind.  Likewise, body is yours, you're not the body.  The possessor  can't be the possessed. Hence, the SOUL is not the SELF.

What one needs to do to find the SOUL?

Reflect on this anecdote:

A student asked the master, "What I need to do to get enlightened?"
The master answered, "As much as you can do to rise and set the Sun".
The student looked confused and said, "Looks like, I don't really need to do anything. Then what is the use of all these spiritual practices ".  The master said, "They're only meant to keep you AWAKE when Sun rises and sets".

Hence one needs to learn to be AWAKE to see the difference between the SOUL and SELF. As the master says above, all the kriyas we do such as, pooja, japa, dhyana are meant to keep us AWAKE.
This is a good way to do a soul searching.

Hari Om

Feb 16th: What is LIFE?

Life can be a process of GROWING or AGING.
Adding years to life is aging and adding life to years is growing. Most of us are aging and only a few are growing.

Please reflect on this anecdote:

A mother coaxes her son, "Please get up, you have to go to school". The son replies, "I don't want to go to school".  The loving mother says, "You have to go to school to come up in life".  The son says, "No one likes me...not even teachers".  "But son, you're 50 years old and you're the principal of the school; you have to go to  school". Reminds the mother.

Very few people grow up. Most of us grow old. Hence one way of empowering our lives is to GROW UP, which means, ADDING LIFE TO YEARS rather than adding years to life.

So, how to, "ADD LIFE TO YEARS"?
It is by making every moment of your life lively. Being lively to every moment is nothing but being aware of every moment.

We're most of the time dwelling in the past, thinking about future and very rarely in present. Instead, try to stay in the present and go to Past and Future, only as needed.

One way to practice this is to enhance your AWARENESS on the things/activities around you. Such as walking, taking shower, washing hands, working, spending time with your family and etc. This will slowly and steadily transforms your aging life into a lively life (growing). At some point this growth becomes the growth of WISDOM.