Four states of consciousness:

Ordinary consciousness is characterized by three states:

 1. The waking state

 2. The dreaming state

 3. The state of deep sleep However mystics claim that there is a fourth state, called tur�ya, which permeates and transcends the three states of ordinary consciousness. It is said to witness everything that occurs during the ordinary states (cf. Song of Solomon 5:2: I slept but my heart was awake). While the subject of ordinary consciousness is the ego, the witness of the fourth state is said to be the Absolute Subject. When the fourth state is experienced, the yogi is filled with the Light of the Essential Self (cf. Matt. 6:22).

(See also: Four states of consciousness, Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Four states of consciousness:

Ordinary consciousness is characterized by three states:

 1. The waking state

 2. The dreaming state

 3. The state of deep sleep However mystics claim that there is a fourth state, called turîya, which permeates and transcends the three states of ordinary consciousness. It is said to witness everything that occurs during the ordinary states (cf. Song of Solomon 5:2: I slept but my heart was awake). While the subject of ordinary consciousness is the ego, the witness of the fourth state is said to be the Absolute Subject. When the fourth state is experienced, the yogi is filled with the Light of the Essential Self (cf. Matt. 6:22).

(See also: Four states of consciousness, Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Om:

the universal mantra; cosmic vibration of the universe; represents the four states of consciousness

(See also: Om, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

In Hindu devotional practice, three kinds of external symbols are used for worship of the Supreme Being, who is actually formless and nameless. The most external is that of divine images cast in human form, with paraphernalia symbolising supra-human divinity.

The most subtle is that of the mantras or divine names with certain sounds. A mantra is divine power clothed in sound. Between these two come the yantras or chakras , representing the deity in geometrical diagrams. Worshippers of Shakti consider the Srichakra the holiest and most significant of divine symbols.

(See also: Srichakra, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The nature of Atman is pure consciousness, and though the phenomena are perceived to be taking place, in reality they are only aspects of consciousness. Consciousness is not affected by them. The Atman is 'hidden’ inside all of us, as a bee is hidden inside a lotus flower. It will be futile to seek it in the water or air outside.

(See also: Nirvikalp Samadhi, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Swiss scientists have recently discovered that sending a very weak current to the back of the right side of the brain triggered an out-of-body experience (OBE) for the patient.

This OBE could be produced at will whenever a particular part of the brain was stimulated by an electric current. OBE is also one of the major outcomes of yoga and is mentioned in the vibhuti pad of Patanjali's Yoga Darshan . Naturally a yogi has to practise years of tapasya or meditation before she can achieve an OBE and sense of levitation. Interestingly, technology seems to allow this pleasurable experience quite easily.

(See also: Out-of-body experience, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The human DNA is a biological Internet and superior in many aspects to the artificial one. The latest Russian scientific research directly or indirectly explains phenomena such as clairvoyance, intuition, spontaneous and remote acts of healing, self healing, affirmation techniques, unusual light/auras around people (namely spiritual masters), the mind�s influence on weather patterns and much more.

Read more here: » Spiritual Science: DNA is influneced by words and frequencies

The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad presents methods for the control of Prana. The Yogic student does not deal with Vasanas. He concerns himself with the techniques of controlling the Prana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad: Introduction to Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad

Mandala, which literally means circle, largely associated with religions and cults of India and Tibet, was also used as a potent symbol by the American Indians, the original inhabitants of Central America, and by the aborigines of Australia.

Across cultures, the universe is represented as a series of concentric circles, maybe as a model of the solar system. In Tantra, the central point represents Mount Meru around which the earth is situated, and the concentric circles represent the cosmic aspects of the universe, like energy fields and atmospheric zones. In Hindu and Buddhist interpretations, the centre of the Mandala is the ultimate divine principle uniting the object and the subject as they spin out of the centre. This may refer to the cosmos or to the human body.

Read more here: » Mandala: Mandala as Symbol of the Universe

In literature, art and cinema, death has been almost always depicted as a terrible thing, the final end, although in reality it is merely a release from the burden of the physical body.

Every religious tradition recognises that to reach the final truth, one must pass through death. This is the meaning behind Aanea's descent to the underworld in Virgil, of Dante's descent into hell in the Divine Comedy and the Christian baptism: “You were baptised into the death of Christ”.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

Pradosha Vrata

The Pradosha worship is to be done in the evening twilight on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight. It is the worship of Lord Shiva for victory and success in all undertakings, and the fulfilment of all your heart's cherished desires

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Pradosha Vrata: Hindu Worship - Pradosha Vrata

Shaktipat Initiation - Awakening the Kundalini

Kundalini can be awakened by attaining perfection of certain hatha yoga postures called asanas, by certain breathing exercises aimed at controlling the breath called pranayama, by God's grace, by meditation or by intense devotion.

Another technique of great importance is Shaktipat, the transmission of energy. A powerful yogi can transmit energy to an aspirant and awaken the Kundalini. This is accomplished in one of four ways: by touch, gaze, sound or thought.

Read more here: » Kundalini Maha Yoga: Shaktipat Initiation - Awakening the Kundalini

The Ramayana is the story of Rama. But more significantly, the epic provides a peephole into Vedantic wisdom on the nature of existence, reality and governance.

Vasishtas sagacious discourse to prince Rama was offered at a moment of confusion and crisis in the young princes life, when he was beginning to feel a surge of vairagya at a tender age. While extolling the vairagya state of Rama, Vasishta initiates Rama into the deeper ontological questions of existence and the nature of the mind.

Read more here: » Yoga Vasishta: Vedantic Wisdom in The Yoga Vasishta

Generally, quietude, calmness, peace, silence and stillness are taken to be identical states of mind. But in reality, this is not so. All these are states of a deepening order of consciousness, silence being the deepest. In a state of deep silence, there are no thoughts, feelings or mental movements that can disturb or alter the peace of the inner-being.

The human mind gets absorbed in the core of silence where it touches the original source of energy, love, purity and bliss of The Being, and discovers the soul. The mind is transmuted into the Mind of Light. This transmutation is the bridge that leads us to our true Self within. There, God becomes a living presence, and silence a conversation of the soul with God, wordless and wonderful.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Karma Yoga Lesson IV

Karma is Thought, actually, says the Gita; Mind and Manas; Thought a constant function in the universe; The greater being of man; Power of Thought; Facing Thought; The cloud; Formation of Thoughts; Letting thoughts pass on; The use of Aumn in calming.

Read more here: » Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga - Lesson IV (of XI )

In early Hindu philosophy, turiya (also called caturtha) is a state of pure consciousness, or the experience of ultimate reality and truth. It is a fourth state of consciousness that underlies and at the same time transcends three common states of consciousness: (i) the state of waking consciousness (jagrata), (ii) the state of dreaming (svapna), (iii) and dreamless sleep (susupti). Turiya - Advaita concept. The first two states are defective as experiences of reality and truth because ...

Including:

• Turiya - Advaita concept
• Turiya - Dvaita Vaishnava concepts

Read more here: » Turiya: Encyclopedia - Turiya

In Buddhism, the arūpajhānas are four successive levels of meditation on non-material objects. These levels are higher than the rūpajhānas, and harder to attain. While rupajhanas differ considering their characteristics, arupajhanas differ as their object is determined by the level of the jhana: fifth jhāna: infinite space, sixth jhāna: infinite consciousness, seventh jhāna: infinite nothingness, eighth jhāna:< ...

Including:

• Arupajhana - The two elements of arūpajhāna
• Arupajhana - Upekkha
• Arupajhana - Ekkagata

Read more here: » Arupajhana: Encyclopedia - Arupajhana

Yogācāra (Sanskrit: "yoga practice"), also spelled yogāchāra, is an influential school of philosophy and psychology that developed in Indian Mahayana Buddhism starting sometime in the fourth to fifth centuries C.E., also commonly known as Consciousness-only (Sanskrit: Cittamātra). Sometimes referred to as the Knowledge Way or Vijnanavada, Yogācāra has also been called Subjective Realism, acknowledging that individual factors including karma contribute to an experience of reality that must be different for every ...

Read more here: » Yogacara: Encyclopedia - Yogacara

Integral organizations: Integral Institute Cal. Inst. of Integral Studies Integral University In the Integral theory of Ken Wilber, AQAL stands for "All quadrants, all levels", and equally connotes "all lines, all states, all types". An account or theory is said to be AQAL, and thus integral (inclusive or comprehensive), if it accounts for or makes reference to all four quadrants and four major levels in Wilber's ontological scheme, described below. AQAL - QuadrantsIncluding:

• AQAL - Quadrants
• AQAL - Eight indigenous perspectives
• AQAL - Lines streams or intelligences
• AQAL - Levels or stages
• AQAL - States
• AQAL - Types

Read more here: » AQAL: Encyclopedia - AQAL

Dhyāna is a term in Sanskrit which refers to a type or aspect of meditation. It is a key concept in Hinduism and Buddhism. Equivalent terms are jhāna in Pāli, chán in Chinese, and zen in Japanese. Dhyana - Dhyāna in Buddhism. In the Pali Canon the Buddha describes eight progressive states of absorption meditation or Jhana. The first four are connected to the physical realm and the last four only with the mental realm (i.e. there is no experience of the body in the four highe ...

Including:

• Dhyana - Dhyāna in Buddhism
• Dhyana - Dhyāna in Hinduism

Read more here: » Dhyana: Encyclopedia - Dhyana