Choose Your Path
Dark Meditation
When we close our eyes, we see darkness both inside and outside, don’t we? Despite looking at ourselves in the mirror every day, we struggle to truly remember our own face. This is because we are filled with darkness, representing ignorance. However, as we practice SMS meditation in the light of the sun, moon, and stars, this light begins to fill both our inner and outer selves, bringing joy from within.
Through SMS meditation, the darkness within us is replaced by light. Dark meditation builds upon this by helping us preserve that inner bliss for the rest of our lives. Think of it like making a movie scenes are shot in light, the final work is completed in darkness, and it is then experienced by us on the theatre screen in the dark. Similarly, dark meditation allows us to clearly experience everything gained from SMS meditation, as if watching it unfold through the eyes of wisdom.
When we begin dark meditation, we carry the happiness and light of SMS meditation within us. To fully realize and clarify that happiness, dark meditation helps us break through the darkness using the light of knowledge. This clarity allows us to deeply understand and experience all aspects of life.
Siddhi Yoga
By practicing Siddhi Yoga, we start to realize that the secret of the universe is as small as a mustard seed, yet its dimensions are infinite. If Science is the answer we get when we research on a particular subject over certain period of time, Siddhi Yoga is the secret treasure the universe offers as a blessing when we sit in one place for years, without thinking about anything. Through Siddhi Yoga, we can experience all 14 dimensions of this universe. Not only that, it becomes possible to travel and experience all the planets. A radio or TV works by tuning into different channels to hear and watch various programs. Similarly, when we tune into ourselves, we can experience all the dimensions of this universe, the world of Gurus, the world of Gods, and more. We can see and feel all kinds of living things that we cannot see with our naked eyes.
Samadhi
Samadhi practice is an important step in meditation, with various forms like Ardhasamadhi, Jeevasamadhi and Mahasamadhi.
When we fully train our bodies to sit in a certain way, we enter a state where the universe takes control of us. This state is called Samadhi. In this state, a person begins to lose awareness of their body and merges with cosmic consciousness. They can then experience other dimensions, and universal secrets are revealed to them. As the person merges with the cosmic consciousness, the person in Samadhi may appear frozen to an outside observer. There may or may not be a heartbeat or respiration, depending on the state of samadhi. This is a journey into the subtle world with the help of the seven Sookshma bodies.
Most people practicing SMS meditation experience Samadhi for a small period of 45 minutes. During this time, they can experience other dimensions.
A self-realized person selflessly submits themselves and sits in Samadhi with a deep desire to understand more and experience the subtle world. This is not something a person can enter at their own will; neither can it be attained with money. It is a journey taken up by the self-realized when the universe urges them to seek the path of the Supreme Gurus in order to understand cosmic truths. Since this is a journey into a bottomless sea, the return cannot be predicted by us. Here, everything is controlled by the universe. Any insights the universe provides during this journey are meant for the benefit of all.
When a “Brahma Njani” or a self-realized Guru, who wishes to continue contributing to the world, enters Mahasamadhi, they disintegrate “life, consciousness and conscience” in a special way, spreading it to all cells. This makes the body as hard as a diamond. That body establishes Samadhi for the welfare of the world. Here the life does not merge with the PARAMATHMA(Supreme Soul), but is constantly working for the world in another dimension.
Jnana Yoga
When we truly experience knowledge, we realize that we are knowledge itself, not just the body, and we begin to live based on this understanding. This is called Jnana Yoga. There are many ways to attain knowledge, but it must go beyond mere information.
For example, a hungry person needs food, not just information about food. Similarly, seekers need true knowledge to satisfy their thirst for understanding. Reading is one way to gain knowledge, but it only provides information. True knowledge comes from experience.
The experiences we lack clarity on through SMS meditation and dark meditation become true knowledge through Jnana Yogam. This helps us gradually progress from self-experience to self-knowledge.
The ancient Indian sages, or Rishis, have spoken about the concept of Panchakosha. Let us explore this subject further and understand its connection to our inner self and its layers. Did you know that the Panchakoshas are Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, and Anandamaya? These can be thought of as layers or “jewels” surrounding our sense of self.
The Annamaya Kosha is our physical body itself. It is called Annamaya because it depends on Annam (food) for its existence. The body cannot survive without nourishment. The feeling of hunger is the knowledge we derive from the Annamaya Kosha.
Imagine a very hungry person sees a ripe mango in front of them. What happens next? They recognize the mango’s shape, colour, and smell. This understanding comes from their senses, which are part of the Pranamaya Kosha. Thus, attributes like colour and form represent the knowledge of the Pranamaya Kosha.
Seeing the mango sparks a strong desire to eat it. This desire arises in the mind and represents the knowledge of the Manomaya Kosha. However, a conscious person does not immediately grab the mango and eat it. They pause to think: Is this mango safe to eat? Is there anything wrong with eating it? Can I eat it here now? This process of evaluation and decision-making represents the knowledge of the Vijnanamaya Kosha.
Once the decision is made, they eat the mango slowly, savouring its taste. Eating the mango satisfies their hunger, bringing a sense of fulfilment and happiness. This feeling of satisfaction and joy is the knowledge of the Anandamaya Kosha. In the simple act of eating a mango, the experiences of all five koshas come together. Without the involvement of even one of these layers, the process would feel incomplete. As a result, the knowledge we gain from this process is often incomplete or partial.
Simply thinking, “I am hungry, I saw a ripe mango, I wanted to eat it, I thought about it, I decided to eat the mango, then I ate it, it tasted good, and I felt happy,” will not satisfy hunger. Just thinking or saying these words doesn’t create the actual experience or the feeling of eating the mango.
The same applies to spiritual matters. Spirituality cannot be gained through reading books, chanting mantras, or listening to speeches alone. It must be experienced personally. By sitting in darkness and embracing silence, we journey through the subtle realms of spiritual experiences. In this journey, the experiences of the Annamaya Kosha (physical body) hold little significance. We move beyond the physical plane, progressing to a more subtle (Sookshmamaya)level of existence.
However, the knowledge and experiences from the Pranamaya to Anandamaya Koshas remain with us throughout this journey. Yet, in the final stage, even the understanding of the Panchakoshas becomes irrelevant. It is at this point that we transcend these layers to reach a higher state of spiritual realization. There is only pure knowledge. It is the experience of knowledge recognizing itself through knowledge. This is called Brahma Njanam.
Things every Truth Seekers (Aathma Jinjasu) wants to Know: Who am I? Where did this world come from? What is my goal? When one finds the answers to these three questions, one thing becomes clear the truth that there is nothing in this universe separate from oneself. Later in life, it becomes possible to live selflessly, not attached to anything but united with everything. By becoming knowledge, and experiencing the truth that everything in the universe is knowledge, we can also lead a normal family life like everyone else.
