The Atma (Spirit) when it is associated with the physical body is called Annamaya Purusha. This is the state of ordinary consciousness. When the spiritual consciousness is associated with Pranamaya Kosha (the Vital Consciousness), the Atma is known as Prana swarupa (Life Consciousness). When the Atma is associated with the mental consciousness, it is known as Manopurusha. The fourth consciousness transcends the human senses. It is called Atita Manasatvam (Transcendental Consciousness). The Vedas and Upanishads have described this state as Brihat and Rita (Transcendental Consciousness). It transcends human limitations and comes close to Divinity. It is called Super Mind. The Atma in this state is called Vijnana Purusha. Above this state is the Anandamaya Purusha (the enjoyer of Bliss). It is a state of Super-consciousness which expands in due course to merge with the Universal Consciousness.
This all-pervading Universal Consciousness has been called Citt-Tapas. It is the highest consciousness which encompasses all other levels of consciousness and is the basis for all of them. That is the Suddha Sattva (the all-effective Will), the Super Divine life. This is the Sai tattva (the Sai Principle).
The Suddha Sattva, which constitutes the Sai Principle, is omnipotent. There is nothing that is beyond its power. It is the embodiment of all powers. It should be everyone s aim to strive to recognise this Supreme Principle.
There are some clearly defined methods for achieving this aim. Man s vision, which is now turned outward towards the phenomenal universe, should be turned inwards towards the Indwelling Spirit. One should manifest the Divine consciousness inherent in him. He should submit himself to that consciousness as a spiritual discipline. This is called ‘Conscious Realisation of the Inner Divine.’
The first task is to develop awareness of the Divinity within. The next stage is the realisation of the truth that the divinity that is within one s self is equally present in all others. One must recognise that the veil or barrier that appears to separate him from others is born of delusion and every effort should be made to remove it. Only then will it be possible to experience the oneness of all living things. ‘Aham eva idam Sarvam,’ says the Sruti (I am indeed all this). The realisation dawns: ‘All this is contained in me.’ And then there is the consciousness, ‘I am Divine. The Divine is me. I am Brahman. Brahman is myself. There is no distinction between Brahman and me.’
After attaining the stage of ‘Realisation of the Cosmic Divine’, there is a stage, which has been characterised as the ‘Arohana Avarohana’ stage - the ‘Ascent and Descent’ stage.
Man has six different kinds of minds. They are: 1) The ordinary Mind; 2) The Super Mind; 3) The Higher Mind; 4) The Illuminated Mind; 5) The Intuitive Mind; 6) The Over-mind. The starting base for the six levels of mind is the ordinary mind. At the summit level is the Over-Mind. In the mental processes, what goes on is an ascent from the ordinary mind to Over-Mind as well as a descent from the over-Mind to the lowest level. It is when the ascending process and the descending process meet that there is fullness in the human being.
There is no difference between one kind of consciousness and another. All consciousness is alike because it is a manifestation of Brahman (the Absolute). It is Brahman that has manifested itself as the Cosmos.
The doctrine of evolution is being discussed widely and widely accepted. But one should try to understand how evolution takes place in Nature. Evolution in Nature is really the gradual enfoldment of the inherent powers of Nature. For instance, life has evolved from matter and mind has evolved from life. What is meant by matter? Matter is that which is encased in life. Consider the example of paddy. As long as the rice grain is covered by husk it is called paddy. When the husk is removed it becomes rice. Paddy has the power to germinate as long as the husk remains. Likewise, the vital principle is contained in matter. It may thus be seen that life came from matter. Likewise, the mind evolved from life. Today men are prepared to / recognise that mind evolved from life and life, ‘ from matter. But they are not ready to go beyond this stage in human evolution. Human evolution cannot be complete unless it goes beyond the mind.
The next step in human evolution is the Super-Mind. But man has to go forward even from the Supramental to the ultimate stage of Sat-cit-ananda to realise his final destiny. The day when Man is able to experience the divine state of Sat-cit-ananda (Being-Aware-ness Bliss) is really the holy day of ‘Shiva-rathri’. Till then, he is in perpetual darkness. Until a fruit ripens in a tree, its juice is not sweet. When the fruit is fully ripe, it drops from the tree. Attachment to the tree is gone. Likewise when a man achieves spiritual maturity he acquires automatically ‘Vairagya’ (detachment). Man has to endeavour to reach this level of maturity by spiritual practices for transforming his consciousness. In the evolution of Consciousness several changes take place.
You must examine where all your sadhanas are leading you. You have to proceed from the purely mental stage to the highest stage of ‘Over-Mind’ and experience oneness with the Universal Consciousness. You may regard this as extremely difficult. But if you have dedication and perseverance, it will be quite easy. There is nothing in the world easier than the spiritual path. But when there is no earnestness, it appears difficult. That is why the Gita has declared: ‘Shraddhavan labhate Jnanam’ (The earnest aspirant acquires the Supreme Wisdom). If you are deeply interested in anything, you will accomplish it.
Hence, you should constantly remind yourself: ‘I am the embodiment of Divine Consciousness. Sat-cit-ananda constitutes my form.’ Man today has forgotten his true nature and looks upon the world entirely through the senses, the mind and the intellect. But behind all these organs there is the Sat-cit-ananda which is fundamental. It is because of this Atmic Bliss principle in him, that man is ever seeking bliss. The whole Cosmos has emanated from the Parabrahman - the Omni-Will. It appears as a material object. But from the material, we should proceed to the spiritual-the Universal Consciousness.
There is the ‘Higher Mind’ in man. It is present to enable man to transcend the physical and mental and reach the Divine. Ordinary life consists of Matter+Mind. But Matter + Being is beyond the mind. It leads to the Super-Mind. Every human being should strive to progress towards the ultimate state of ‘Over-Mind’ consciousness-the state, which has been described by the seers as Vijnanamaya kosha (the Super-Intellectual Mind). Modern science (Vijnana) is concerned with analysing physical objects. But the Vijnanamaya kosha (the Super intellectual Mind) is concerned with exploring the Supreme Reality - the Omnipresent Consciousness. This alone is true scientific enquiry. It is from the Vijnanamaya kosha that one proceeds to the Anandamaya kosha - the state of Super consciousness, of total Bliss.
It is a natural process. In a bud there is very little fragrance. When it grows and blossoms, it acquires fine fragrance. Likewise, when the human consciousness expands, it finds fullness in the state of Sat-cit-ananda. Starting with the ordinary mind the consciousness rises to the Super-mind level. Then it moves up to the state of the Higher Mind.
The next higher stage is that of the Illuminated Mind. Through all these stages, the continuing entity remains the same, as in the bodily changes from infancy to old age. That is the Universal Consciousness which is present in everyone—the One in the Many. The Universal Consciousness is the Satyam (Truth). It is Jnanam (the Supreme Wisdom). It is Anantam (Infinite).
Turn your minds towards the Divine. Repetition of the names of the Lord has been prescribed as a spiritual discipline to turn your mind away from the things of the world. If you devote the whole of this night to thoughts about the Lord, your minds will be transformed, even if you are not able to reach the highest state of ‘Over Mind’. Ever bear in mind the triple characteristics of the Divine - Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam Brahma; strive to achieve the supreme goal of Man. (SSS Vol.21)