Self-realization/Enlightenment question.

[Twilight]

Hello

I have a question that has been bothering me.

Can you attain 'self-realization' or 'enlightenment' for a brief period or is it a once you have it you can't lose it kind of thing?


I kind of assumed that ,by definition, they were a permanent thing. Then again being attached to an impermanent body with all its barriers to higher thought must make it easy for the veil of illusion reappear...?

All replies will be gratefully received :namaste:

 

[Sumit]

Hello

I have a question that has been bothering me.

Can you attain 'self-realization' or 'enlightenment' for a brief period or is it a once you have it you can't lose it kind of thing?

Self realization means knowledge of self, so once attained it can't be lost. At least in this life.

 

[Madhuri]

Namaste, Twilight.

Realisation can never be lost.

I think that there are some random swamis who may preach that one can 'fall down from Heaven', but this is not supported by scripture... or logic.

 

[Twilight]

Thank you for the replies

The reason I am interested is because I had a brief period (less than a day) where I felt everything made sense. It is very difficult to explain but it was kind of like I knew how everything fitted together in the grand scheme and I lost all fear because I could see the big picture. I felt totally free and at ease. After being bogged back down with the mundanities of life the feeling has gone. I still know how it felt but it's essence has gone. When I felt that way I knew it must be the way that people on a spiritual path are endeavoring to feel.
I guess I was hoping that I had a glimpse of something special but if once you get it you don't lose it then I don't know what it could have been..?

 

[Jainarayan]

Thank you for the replies

The reason I am interested is because I had a brief period (less than a day) where I felt everything made sense. It is very difficult to explain but it was kind of like I knew how everything fitted together in the grand scheme and I lost all fear because I could see the big picture. I felt totally free and at ease. After being bogged back down with the mundanities of life the feeling has gone. I still know how it felt but it's essence has gone. When I felt that way I knew it must be the way that people on a spiritual path are endeavoring to feel.
I guess I was hoping that I had a glimpse of something special but if once you get it you don't lose it then I don't know what it could have been..?

I think it's a glimpse of what can, may, could be. I've had that feeling a few times, sometimes fleeting, sometimes more than a few minutes. Some people have blown it off as "an endorphin rush". But I don't see how it's an endorphin rush if it's spontaneous.

 

[chinu]

Hello

I have a question that has been bothering me.

Can you attain 'self-realization' or 'enlightenment' for a brief period or is it a once you have it you can't lose it kind of thing?


I kind of assumed that ,by definition, they were a permanent thing. Then again being attached to an impermanent body with all its barriers to higher thought must make it easy for the veil of illusion reappear...?

All replies will be gratefully received :namaste:

Like.. the one who is out of jail will never like to reappear in jail, Similarly.. the one who has attained enlightenment will never want to reappear in illusionary life. Like.. a good reputed citizen who is always afarid of doing crime which can become the reason to put him into jail, Similarly the enlightened person is always afarid of doing SIN which can put him into illusion.

Kindly note: SIN is not ment by good or bad actions, SIN is meant by all good and bad actions which are responsible to bond us in this illusionary world, Yes a good action can also become the reason for bonding us in this illusionary world, or in other words a good actions can also become the barrier between man and enlightenment.

 

[YmirGF]

Self realization means knowledge of self, so once attained it can't be lost. At least in this life.

Namaste, Twilight.

Realisation can never be lost.

I think that there are some random swamis who may preach that one can 'fall down from Heaven', but this is not supported by scripture... or logic.

Overall, I would certainly agree with both of you, as the experience, for lack of a better term is so utterly profound that it is not something that is possible to forget. However, I am on record as saying that a clever individual with a "one of" experience could, theoretically, pretend their experience out of existence. They could, potentially, decide that their experience was not real. The pre-existing psychological makeup of the individual could hold sway.

The thing is, it would also take a good long time for said individual to forget the whole event. What I am saying is that there is a very real potential that what is generally a liberating experience could, for some individuals, become the root of a mental breakdown.

 

[YmirGF]

Thank you for the replies

The reason I am interested is because I had a brief period (less than a day) where I felt everything made sense. It is very difficult to explain but it was kind of like I knew how everything fitted together in the grand scheme and I lost all fear because I could see the big picture. I felt totally free and at ease. After being bogged back down with the mundanities of life the feeling has gone. I still know how it felt but it's essence has gone. When I felt that way I knew it must be the way that people on a spiritual path are endeavoring to feel.
I guess I was hoping that I had a glimpse of something special but if once you get it you don't lose it then I don't know what it could have been..?

I could be wrong, but it sounds like you do not enjoy positive reinforcement in your day to day life, in that no one, to your knowledge, has had similar experiences and therefore cannot relate to your experience. Is that fair to say?

 

[Madhuri]

Twilight, I would speculate and say that your experience was a glimpse.
It's s state we're all working toward achieving permanently.
It's wonderful that you had that experience!

 

[Vinayaka]

I don't think anyone here can speak from direct experience, but we can all regurgitate what we've heard said by the various teachers who have spoken about it. That is me for sure, so I'm just regurgitating my teachers' words.

From what I've read and heard, I agree with others that you had a glimpse ito inner areas of the mind. Remember, there are two levels of samadhi, salvikalpa, and nirvikalpa. One comes before the other.

Once you realise it once, you are forever changed, but its not a one off either. When you come out (from incredibly deep meditation) from that non-experience you see the world in a new way. But then, in the next meditation, or the next, you have a repeat performance, so to speak, and realise it all over again. Each time this happens, the vibration, and understanding builds. So as someone else said, I believe it is possible to 'forget' you ever had this experience.

 

[Amrut]

Thank you for the replies

The reason I am interested is because I had a brief period (less than a day) where I felt everything made sense. It is very difficult to explain but it was kind of like I knew how everything fitted together in the grand scheme and I lost all fear because I could see the big picture. I felt totally free and at ease. After being bogged back down with the mundanities of life the feeling has gone. I still know how it felt but it's essence has gone. When I felt that way I knew it must be the way that people on a spiritual path are endeavoring to feel.
I guess I was hoping that I had a glimpse of something special but if once you get it you don't lose it then I don't know what it could have been..?

Namaste,

1. Self Realization si permanent and cannot be lost says Sri Ramana Maharshi

2. About the feeling

In Bhagavad Gita, in the beginning i.e. chapter 2:55 - 2:59, ther esi a description of sthita prajna.

Now, why in 2 chapter? why not in 18th chapter? one should get knowledge at the end. Right. But thats not the case. First God shows you the trailer and then the actual movie starts. To reach a place, you will need a map. So God in meditation and in actual experience will teach you your next level.

What you have experience may have been a shift in consciousness. Your mind will be calm and peaceful and nothing will bother you. Life is a happening. Everything just flows. If this is what you feel, then it is a good feeling.

Note that experiences are given by god means

1. You deserve to reach that state.

2. To give clarity - Giving / having experience is the best way to remove doubt and teach.

3. For Inspiration: If God does not give such experience, no one will meditate. So before that experience, when you are not expecting anything special and hopes are low and that your life is not so good and you are hitting lower tide of your life. Suddenly, one day you have this experience. This also shows:

4. God can do anything and everything.

5. Thoughts and issues, which were so difficult to remove or get over it, suddenly disappear. So God is all powerful and can handle you. God can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Nothing binds him, nothing stops him.

6. Benchmark or reference is necessary to set a milestone. So next time you will try to reach this state. That will be the driving force. This type of meditation provides the 'Longing' for God. Longing is so necessary, else without it, things are all mechanical.

7. Since you cannot stay in this state permanently, as your mind is still impure, you cannot stay there for ever.

If you have read Sri Ramakrishna's Jivan charitra. Sri Ramakrishna had vision of Maa Kali. But After that he did not had it daily. So he meditated and prayed hard to again have this experience. After much intense mediation sessions, he had a glimpse of her. Not satisfied with just glimpses, he continued to mediate, each time with a greater force of love and surrender. With pain of separation getting unbearable. He could now have her vision more frequently with less effort. Later he did not have to meditate to have the vision of her, Maa Kali was always with him.

Aum
Amrut

 

[Twilight]

I think it's a glimpse of what can, may, could be. I've had that feeling a few times, sometimes fleeting, sometimes more than a few minutes. Some people have blown it off as "an endorphin rush". But I don't see how it's an endorphin rush if it's spontaneous.

It is certainly a [there doesn't seem an appropriate word] feeling but it doesn't feel at all like an endorphin rush, from my experience.

Like.. the one who is out of jail will never like to reappear in jail, Similarly.. the one who has attained enlightenment will never want to reappear in illusionary life. Like.. a good reputed citizen who is always afarid of doing crime which can become the reason to put him into jail, Similarly the enlightened person is always afarid of doing SIN which can put him into illusion.

Kindly note: SIN is not ment by good or bad actions, SIN is meant by all good and bad actions which are responsible to bond us in this illusionary world, Yes a good action can also become the reason for bonding us in this illusionary world, or in other words a good actions can also become the barrier between man and enlightenment.

Thank you

Yes, I can see that one would not willingly divert away from such a state. I guess I got let out of jail for the day and am now waiting by the gate hoping that someone has the key!

Overall, I would certainly agree with both of you, as the experience, for lack of a better term is so utterly profound that it is not something that is possible to forget. However, I am on record as saying that a clever individual with a "one of" experience could, theoretically, pretend their experience out of existence. They could, potentially, decide that their experience was not real. The pre-existing psychological makeup of the individual could hold sway.

But, what if you are not forgetting it but trying to re-establish the intensity with which you felt it?

The thing is, it would also take a good long time for said individual to forget the whole event. What I am saying is that there is a very real potential that what is generally a liberating experience could, for some individuals, become the root of a mental breakdown.

Why so?

I could be wrong, but it sounds like you do not enjoy positive reinforcement in your day to day life, in that no one, to your knowledge, has had similar experiences and therefore cannot relate to your experience. Is that fair to say?

I don't really understand your point here. I am discussing these things on a forum with a view to speaking to like-minded individuals.

Twilight, I would speculate and say that your experience was a glimpse.
It's s state we're all working toward achieving permanently.
It's wonderful that you had that experience!

I hope so It is definitely something to want to achieve on a regular, if not permanent, basis!

I don't think anyone here can speak from direct experience, but we can all regurgitate what we've heard said by the various teachers who have spoken about it. That is me for sure, so I'm just regurgitating my teachers' words.

From what I've read and heard, I agree with others that you had a glimpse ito inner areas of the mind. Remember, there are two levels of samadhi, salvikalpa, and nirvikalpa. One comes before the other.

Once you realise it once, you are forever changed, but its not a one off either. When you come out (from incredibly deep meditation) from that non-experience you see the world in a new way. But then, in the next meditation, or the next, you have a repeat performance, so to speak, and realise it all over again. Each time this happens, the vibration, and understanding builds. So as someone else said, I believe it is possible to 'forget' you ever had this experience.

Thank you I will read more deeply into this as I still have so much to learn. I really should spend more time in meditation.

Namaste,

1. Self Realization si permanent and cannot be lost says Sri Ramana Maharshi

2. About the feeling

In Bhagavad Gita, in the beginning i.e. chapter 2:55 - 2:59, ther esi a description of sthita prajna.

Now, why in 2 chapter? why not in 18th chapter? one should get knowledge at the end. Right. But thats not the case. First God shows you the trailer and then the actual movie starts. To reach a place, you will need a map. So God in meditation and in actual experience will teach you your next level.

What you have experience may have been a shift in consciousness. Your mind will be calm and peaceful and nothing will bother you. Life is a happening. Everything just flows. If this is what you feel, then it is a good feeling.

Note that experiences are given by god means

1. You deserve to reach that state.

2. To give clarity - Giving / having experience is the best way to remove doubt and teach.

3. For Inspiration: If God does not give such experience, no one will meditate. So before that experience, when you are not expecting anything special and hopes are low and that your life is not so good and you are hitting lower tide of your life. Suddenly, one day you have this experience. This also shows:

4. God can do anything and everything.

5. Thoughts and issues, which were so difficult to remove or get over it, suddenly disappear. So God is all powerful and can handle you. God can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Nothing binds him, nothing stops him.

6. Benchmark or reference is necessary to set a milestone. So next time you will try to reach this state. That will be the driving force. This type of meditation provides the 'Longing' for God. Longing is so necessary, else without it, things are all mechanical.

7. Since you cannot stay in this state permanently, as your mind is still impure, you cannot stay there for ever.

If you have read Sri Ramakrishna's Jivan charitra. Sri Ramakrishna had vision of Maa Kali. But After that he did not had it daily. So he meditated and prayed hard to again have this experience. After much intense mediation sessions, he had a glimpse of her. Not satisfied with just glimpses, he continued to mediate, each time with a greater force of love and surrender. With pain of separation getting unbearable. He could now have her vision more frequently with less effort. Later he did not have to meditate to have the vision of her, Maa Kali was always with him.

Aum
Amrut

Thank you for a detailed reply

That is just how it felt.

I certainly need to do more reading and meditation.

It is strange because the day that I had this experience I had not been 'actively' meditating' but had been thinking very deeply on several texts I had read and feeling in a particularly devotional mood (reciting mantras whilst doing my chores).


I also had a dream recently where I saw God and 'he' was indescribable, but I knew it was God because of the feeling I had which was the same as the one I first mentioned.

 

[mohinishaktidevi]

It is very difficult to explain
it was kind of like I knew how everything fitted together
and I lost all fear
I felt totally free and at ease.
I still know how it felt but it's essence has gone.
I knew it must be the spiritual path
I guess
I don't know what it could have been..?

IMO read the Bhagavad-gita and you will find similar feelings were experienced by the charater of Arjuna.

IMO you must define more acturately what composed the experience you had.
Imo a state of extreme 'lack of anxiety' is enough to experience a state of euphoria. OTOH, you did not describe and 'ESP' like knowledge except for a state of euphoria. IWO the totality of the experience was an untangible almost alien 'euphoria', so the only knowledge so far that can be called 'enlightenment' is simply a state of euphoria, which is a state of 'lack of anxiety'.

The terms, Atma-bhu, atma-ram, atma-rat are terms used in the Bhagavad-gita to describe the state of 'self-satisfaction' iwo 'freedom from want' iwo 'pleasure of the soul alone'.

Now, as for the notion of falling down. I differ from most opinions posted.
The Soul is free at all times to sacrifice its blood sweat and tears toward any devotion. The soul can fall from heavenly planets and it can fall from transcendent Vaikuntha spiritual worlds.

Lord Brahma, the father of the Devatas of the Vedas came from outside the material world that eminates from Mahavishnu. It was Brahma's first birth in the material world.

In the Gita it is specifically addressed, 'yoga-bhrasta' a fallen yogi. A yogi

Krishna says to Arjuna

Bg 6.41
The unsuccessful yogi, after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy.

PURPORT by Bhaktivedanta Swami
The unsuccessful yogis are divided into two classes: one is fallen after very little progress, and one is fallen after long practice of yoga. The yogi who falls after a short period of practice goes to the higher planets, where pious living entities are allowed to enter. After prolonged life there, one is sent back again to this planet, to take birth in the family of a righteous brahmana vaishnava or of aristocratic merchants.
The real purpose of yoga practice is to achieve the highest perfection of Bhagavan consciousness, as explained in the last verse of this chapter. But those who do not persevere to such an extent and who fail because of material allurements are allowed, by the grace of the Lord, to make full utilization of their material propensities. And after that, they are given opportunities to live prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families. Those who are born in such families may take advantage of the facilities and try to elevate themselves to full Bhagavan consciousness.

Here is the definition of a yogi from my glossary

Yogi—a transcendentalist who practices one of the many authorized forms of yoga, or processes of spiritual purification; those who practice the eight-fold mystic yoga process to gain mystic siddhis or Paramatma realization.

There is this well known comparison when discussing the fall down of a spiritual seeker, 'The elephant's bath'

An elphant bathes in a lake quite thoroughly, but as soon as it comes on the shore it takes some dust from the ground and strews it over its body. Thus there is no meaning to the elephant’s bath.

I found these comments by Bhaktivedanta Swami in his purport of the book caitanya-caritamrta Madya-lila 12.135

One who cannot give up the desire for fruitive activity is understood to be covered by the dust of material contamination. Karmis generally think that the interaction of fruitive activities can be counteracted by another karma, or fruitive activity. This is certainly a mistaken conception. If one is deluded by such a conception, he is cheated by his own activity. Such activities have been compared to an elephant’s bathing. An elephant may bathe very thoroughly, but as soon as it comes out of the river, it immediately takes some sand from the land and throws it all over its body. If one suffers due to his past fruitive activities, he cannot counteract his suffering by performing auspicious activities.

Here is another entire verse and purport from CC Madhya 24.253

“The hunter then admitted that he was convinced of his sinful activity, and he said, ‘I have been taught this business from my very childhood. Now I am wondering how I can become freed from these unlimited volumes of sinful activity.’

PURPORT
This kind of admission is very beneficial as long as one does not again commit sin. Cheating and hypocrisy are not tolerated by higher authorities. If one understands what sin is, he should give it up with sincerity and regret and surrender unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead through His agent, the pure devotee. In this way, one can be freed from the reactions of sin and make progress in devotional service.
However, if one continues committing sins after making some atonement, he will not be saved. In the çästras, such atonement is compared to an elephant’s bathing. An elephant takes a very good bath and cleanses its body very nicely, but as soon as it comes out of the water, it picks up some dust on the shore and throws it all over its body.
Atonement may be carried out very nicely, but it will not help a person if he continues committing sins. Therefore the hunter first admitted his sinful activity before the saintly person Narada and then asked how he could be saved.

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram :namaste

Thank you for the replies

The reason I am interested is because I had a brief period (less than a day) where I felt everything made sense. It is very difficult to explain but it was kind of like I knew how everything fitted together in the grand scheme and I lost all fear because I could see the big picture. I felt totally free and at ease. After being bogged back down with the mundanities of life the feeling has gone. I still know how it felt but it's essence has gone. When I felt that way I knew it must be the way that people on a spiritual path are endeavoring to feel.
I guess I was hoping that I had a glimpse of something special but if once you get it you don't lose it then I don't know what it could have been..?

whilst I agree with everyone that has said that once realisation has been atained it is never lost , this is full realisation , saying self realisation is like saying realisation of the self in relationton all other aspects , in relation to god . (A buddhist would say realising the true nature of reality ) in which case such full realisation is perminant and ireversable .

however before one reaches the state of full enlihtenment , full god consciousness one has moments of clarity like the parting of the clouds that alow us to momentarily realise the true briliance of the sun and the vastness of the beyond .

such experiences allow us partial realisation and from that partial realisation comes the motivation to atain full enlightenmant ,to overcome the or rise above the worldly concerns and attatchments that cloud our conception .

itis experiences such as these that cause a person to attatch to any sadhana (of their choosing) which gives a method of attatching one self to god and detatching oneself from their previous worldly concerns and preocupations .
the purpose of sadhana being to link the mind with god whichever method one chooses be it meditation , jappa , serva . and for those that find the idea of god difficult , one is striving to atain realisation of the true nature of reality , however one is seeing it now , whether one strives for realisation of the true nature of reality or whether one strives for god , when one becomes realised all will be in perspective :namaste

 

[Amrut]

That is just how it felt.

I certainly need to do more reading and meditation.

It is strange because the day that I had this experience I had not been 'actively' meditating' but had been thinking very deeply on several texts I had read and feeling in a particularly devotional mood (reciting mantras whilst doing my chores).


I also had a dream recently where I saw God and 'he' was indescribable, but I knew it was God because of the feeling I had which was the same as the one I first mentioned.

You are having visions of God so that you can walk towards him. You are lucky. Better then to explore outside is to explore inside. God resides in your heart. Be aware of heart chakra i.e. center of chest and visualize him that he is inside you. Keep chanting the mantra. It will be easy, as God is supporting you.

Please understand that this is not euphoria (as I understand). This ananda is different, more pure and you may not have experienced it before.

Some people are thrilled. Some may experience fear, some feel intense happiness (ananda), some feel deep peace, some feel kundalini rising, some see their spine as a tube of light, some feel detached and feel that this samsAra (society / world) is tasteless, dry, without anything useful, it is without rasa (sorry I cannot translate rasa).

Experiences depends upon mental status at that time, mental purity, and the path that you are following. They are an inspiration. Do not hold back. Daily pray to God to give you bhakti and moksha or divine vision of God as your only God. Only memory remains i.e. knowledge. as time passes it;s prabhAva (effect) fades. This is normal. do not meditate with expectation that this experience should be felt today.

instead of searching outside, search inside. Instead of talking, meditate, chant his name., specially in the morning. Wake up early if possible at 3:30 am as there are no worldly thoughts before sunrise. There is sattva guna as the predominant guna, in you and in the atmosphere.

Do not lose this opportunity. Time does not wait for anyone, nor the time passed can return back. forget what you have missed .Make a commitment that you will miss no more. Make a firm resolution. Delay no more. Start chanting God's name. shastras, etc are just pointers. They teach us how to meditate. Ultimate destination is god. Now if God himself wants you to mediate and wants you to walk towards him and that he is looking towards you, which is extremely important, generally we look towards God, but in few cases, god looks towards you. He extends his hand. All we need i to grasp his hand. Then, even if we wish to, we cannot escape from his clutches, like a pyer cannot escape from clutches of Tiger. At a proper time, everything will happen. Have faith. God will give you guru or instruct you directly. But the condition is - you will have to leave everything for God and he should be the ONLY destination. You have a chance. do you want to grasp it or let it go? God has given free will too. So no one can pressurize you. Think ... and act.

Aum
Amrut

 

[ratikala]

jai jai , jainarayan

I think it's a glimpse of what can, may, could be. I've had that feeling a few times, sometimes fleeting, sometimes more than a few minutes. Some people have blown it off as "an endorphin rush". But I don't see how it's an endorphin rush if it's spontaneous.

glimpses, ... of reality :yes:

 

[Twilight]

IMO you must define more accurately what composed the experience you had.

The experience I had is very hard to put into words as they are unable to covey the actual feeling. Although I was still aware of being in my body and was going about my daily life as usual I felt a disassociation with it. Being in my body was just a formality because I could feel how I was connected to everyone and everything. No thought could frighten me and I wished that everyone could feel what I was feeling so their fear could be dispelled. I could understand the 'pointlessness' of much human activity'. Whilst feeling all this I felt a deep sense of blissfulness. I wasn't 'happy' or what I would describe as euphoric. I was just naturally in the most contented state.

Now, as for the notion of falling down. I differ from most opinions posted.
The Soul is free at all times to sacrifice its blood sweat and tears toward any devotion. The soul can fall from heavenly planets and it can fall from transcendent Vaikuntha spiritual worlds.

I will do some more reading into this. I wouldn't describe the losing of the feeling as falling down though. Falling down is something I would ascribe to falling out of will to perform spiritual practice, maybe. I definitely felt more of a 'covering' of my previous experience. I can still see it my cannot experience the details in the same way.

 

[Me Myself]

Thank you for the replies

The reason I am interested is because I had a brief period (less than a day) where I felt everything made sense. It is very difficult to explain but it was kind of like I knew how everything fitted together in the grand scheme and I lost all fear because I could see the big picture. I felt totally free and at ease. After being bogged back down with the mundanities of life the feeling has gone. I still know how it felt but it's essence has gone. When I felt that way I knew it must be the way that people on a spiritual path are endeavoring to feel.
I guess I was hoping that I had a glimpse of something special but if once you get it you don't lose it then I don't know what it could have been..?

This happened to me once. It is really imposible to explain.

I think in en it is called "zatori" and is basically a little glimpse of liberation, a moment of brightness.

I do remember after feeling it it all felt...dull, and kinda cloudy.


Lifes weird

 

[Amrut]

The experience I had is very hard to put into words as they are unable to covey the actual feeling. Although I was still aware of being in my body and was going about my daily life as usual I felt a disassociation with it. Being in my body was just a formality because I could feel how I was connected to everyone and everything. No thought could frighten me and I wished that everyone could feel what I was feeling so their fear could be dispelled. I could understand the 'pointlessness' of much human activity'. Whilst feeling all this I felt a deep sense of blissfulness. I wasn't 'happy' or what I would describe as euphoric. I was just naturally in the most contented state.

some things cannot be described. What you have experienced is ,IMO, a shift in consciousness It is a signal that you may develop renunciation and that the completeness and satisfaction that you are searching since long can only be found if you surrender to God. You are connected with cosmos and the only thing separating you is your body, which you will feel like a thin wall of separation.

I think, it is time to dive deep within. This is not an experience of samadhi and so not self-realization. you are still experiencing, even though it is unity. the content-ness and the fullness that we experience is unperturbed, no matter what you do and where you are. It is an internal state. You will also feel that everything is perfect and the pleasure and pain cannot reach you. You are in bliss - a type of ananda, peace and fullness that cannot be explained. Sat-Chit-Ananda.

EDIT: the ananda nda the perfect-ness that you see in you is also in others. All are perfect. their actions do not have any influence on you.

Aum
Amrut

 

[Twilight]

namaskaram :namaste


however before one reaches the state of full enlihtenment , full god consciousness one has moments of clarity like the parting of the clouds that alow us to momentarily realise the true briliance of the sun and the vastness of the beyond .

such experiences allow us partial realisation and from that partial realisation comes the motivation to atain full enlightenmant ,to overcome the or rise above the worldly concerns and attatchments that cloud our conception .

Thank you ratikala :namaste:

Yes, this makes sense to me. I like the analogy you give. It describes the feeling well... the 'realising the true brilliance of the sun' isn't just seeing the light of it but also the feeling of warmth that suddenly enshrouds you.

itis experiences such as these that cause a person to attatch to any sadhana (of their choosing) which gives a method of attatching one self to god and detatching oneself from their previous worldly concerns and preocupations .

Detaching literally or metaphorically? If I had to detach literally I think I would have to stick with the mundane life. When I felt like this I still felt I had duties to my family etc and a deep sense of love for them but it was no longer the selfish love that I usually feel. I guess that it the kind of detachment that is required...?

You are having visions of God so that you can walk towards him. You are lucky. Better then to explore outside is to explore inside. God resides in your heart. Be aware of heart chakra i.e. center of chest and visualize him that he is inside you. Keep chanting the mantra. It will be easy, as God is supporting you.

I have done chakra meditation a couple of times before and found it to be a very good. I have been thinking lately that I would like to perform it again. When I did it before my whole body felt like it had energy surging through it and I was involuntarily moving back and forth because of the energy. Is this normal with chakra meditation?

Please understand that this is not euphoria (as I understand). This ananda is different, more pure and you may not have experienced it before.

Some people are thrilled. Some may experience fear, some feel intense happiness (ananda), some feel deep peace, some feel kundalini rising, some see their spine as a tube of light, some feel detached and feel that this samsAra (society / world) is tasteless, dry, without anything useful, it is without rasa (sorry I cannot translate rasa).

I would say that my feeling was more like a deep peace than anything else. It just felt like how I should feel natuarally when fear, anger. happiness, etc disappears.

Experiences depends upon mental status at that time, mental purity, and the path that you are following. They are an inspiration. Do not hold back. Daily pray to God to give you bhakti and moksha or divine vision of God as your only God. Only memory remains i.e. knowledge. as time passes it;s prabhAva (effect) fades. This is normal. do not meditate with expectation that this experience should be felt today.

instead of searching outside, search inside. Instead of talking, meditate, chant his name., specially in the morning. Wake up early if possible at 3:30 am as there are no worldly thoughts before sunrise. There is sattva guna as the predominant guna, in you and in the atmosphere.

Good advice which I will take. Thank you.

Do not lose this opportunity. Time does not wait for anyone, nor the time passed can return back. forget what you have missed .Make a commitment that you will miss no more. Make a firm resolution. Delay no more. Start chanting God's name. shastras, etc are just pointers. They teach us how to meditate. Ultimate destination is god. Now if God himself wants you to mediate and wants you to walk towards him and that he is looking towards you, which is extremely important, generally we look towards God, but in few cases, god looks towards you. He extends his hand. All we need i to grasp his hand. Then, even if we wish to, we cannot escape from his clutches, like a pyer cannot escape from clutches of Tiger. At a proper time, everything will happen. Have faith. God will give you guru or instruct you directly. But the condition is - you will have to leave everything for God and he should be the ONLY destination. You have a chance. do you want to grasp it or let it go? God has given free will too. So no one can pressurize you. Think ... and act.

I will definitely continue in my path to 'find' god. I am slightly worried that if I reach the destination I will lose what I have. I know this is attachment but it is attachment to my duties as a parent etc rather than more selfish attachments. As I implied previously, I am assuming that in giving oneself over to God does not mean that I have to go and live in a cave and meditate forever... just that my focus will always be on God rather than the mundane... is this correct?