The Evolution of Consciousness
DAAJI continues his narration of the ultimate journey to freedom. In this issue he takes us still further into the realm beyond experience, beyond consciousness, into the realm of God.
Let’s first see how far our wayfarer has come on his journey to freedom. In part 1 we explored the awakening of the chakras in the Heart Region, and then in part 2 what happens in the first few chakras of the Mind Region, when he experiences liberation from the ongoing cycle of birth and death. So let’s rejoin him at chakra 10, the beginning of the sub-region known as Prabhu, and continue onwards in this vast region of mind.
He is now in the realm of God. Stephen Hawking wrote in his book, A Brief History of Time, “If we do discover a theory of everything... it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we would truly know the mind of God.” The region of Prabhu is all about this, the Super-Mind of God. But reaching here cannot be done through the purely scientific approach of reason: reason is too cumbersome and primitive a mental approach. To know the Super-Mind of God, direct perception is required, through the awakening of the superconscious states. Reason is the indirect route to knowledge, limited by the mental functions of consciousness, thinking, intellect and ego in the best-case scenario, and contaminated with the additional filters of samskaras in the worst-case scenario.
Direct perception is unfettered by any of these limitations. Through the purification of the heart and subsequent awakening of the higher chakras, direct perception is the natural state of a true Yogi. It is not that a Yogi cannot use reason, as it is a useful tool, but he also has access to knowledge without filters, the wisdom of the universe. At this stage, Hawking’s ‘theory of everything’ is possible. And the ‘ultimate triumph’ about which he writes is actually the triumph of Yoga. That is what Yoga is, and it is not just the ‘theory of everything’, but also the practical experience of everything.
That is why our wayfarer’s intense efforts at spiritual practice earlier in the journey were so vital. They were necessary to reach this level. The practical awakening of the chakras of the heart-mind lays the foundation for experiencing the realm of God. Even at the beginning of the journey itself, at chakra 1 of the Heart Region, a lower level of superconsciousness is awakened through Heartfulness practice, and throughout the journey more refined states of superconsciousness are awakened with the Guru’s Transmission. We can imagine these initial efforts as an investment that matures at this higher stage. Having built the foundation, now the beauty of the edifice is revealed.
This is only possible once the ego tussle between ‘I’ and ‘He’ has exhausted itself through the region of Prapanna-Prabhu at chakra 9. Otherwise our wayfarer’s perception remains clouded by his mental limitations, especially his ego, which can be like a black hole contracting his perception – he has to break free of these limitations if he wants to experience God directly and realize the infinite potential of the Ultimate. And the Guru’s role in this process is crucial. Do you think any of us could traverse this alone? It would be like climbing Mount Everest without a Sherpa’s guidance, or Frodo Baggins throwing the ring of power into the fires of Mordor without Gandalf’s and Gollum’s help. Can the ego dissolve its hold without some higher power to help? In this rarefied realm, our wayfarer needs the guidance and support of a Guru who knows the path. ...
Read the complete article in the Collectors' Edition 2017
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Article by KAMLESH D. PATEL
Daaji
Kamlesh Patel is known to many as Daaji. He is the Heartfulness Guide in a tradition of Yoga meditation that is over 100 years old, overseeing 14,000 certified Heartfulness trainers and many volunteers in over 160 countries. He is an inn... Read More
