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Yoga, Computers and
Four Levels of Consciousness
by
Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati
SwamiJ.com
I am not the
picture on my computer monitor.
I am electricity.
I am not the processing in my microchip.
I am electricity.
I am not the data on my hard drive.
I am electricity.
I am the life in all of these
three.
I am the electricity.
A model for meditation:
The computer can be used
as a modern metaphor for understanding the process of Yoga meditation and the
levels of consciousness through which one journeys.
By understanding these levels or stages, it is much easier to
understand how meditation is not used
merely as a means of relaxation or psychic experience, but as the means
for the realization of the ever pure, ever joyful core of our
being, by
whatever name you choose to call that center.
Audio Podcast:
The Secret of Shiva
and Shakti in the Three Worlds
Peripherals
First level
Waking state
Conscious mind
Gross plane
A of AUM
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1.
Peripherals/Conscious: The ten senses and means of
expression (indriyas), along with the
conscious mind, allow the inner person to communicate and act in
the external world, like the peripherals of a computer system,
including monitor, keyboard, speakers, and microphone.
Four functions of mind:
Throughout the conscious, unconscious, and subconscious levels,
the four functions of mind
operate ever subtler, until even they are transcended in the
fourth stage, noted below.
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Microchip
Second level
Dreaming state
Unconscious mind
Subtle plane
U of AUM
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2.
Microchip/Unconscious: The active unconscious mind processes mostly
out of view, with only a small part of its functioning normally
coming to the surface of the conscious mind, like the microchip
of the computer, which does a tremendous amount of processing,
yet presents only a tiny amount of that to the peripherals. |
Hard-drive
Third level
Deep sleep state
Subconscious mind
Causal plane
M of AUM
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3.
Hard-drive/Subconscious: It is consciousness flowing in
or through the deep impressions of the latent subconscious,
which causes them to stir, just like the otherwise inert binary
numbers resident on a hard-drive, which do nothing until they
are energetically brought to life and spring forth into the
microchip. |
Electricity
Fourth level
Fourth state
Consciousness
Absolute reality
Silence after AUM
(The first four links
go to the same
page, as each of
these operate
from the same
electricity.)
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4.
Electricity/Consciousness: The conscious, unconscious,
and subconscious levels of mind all function because of the flow
of consciousness, energy, or life force, just as the
peripherals, microchip, and hard-drive all operate because of
the electricity. Both the consciousness and the electricity are
uniform, regardless of what programs might be running in the
moment.
I am not the peripherals!:
One explores the peripherals, the waking state, the conscious
mind, and the gross world, moving through them in meditation.
I am not the microprocessor!:
One explores the microprocessor, the dreaming state, the
unconscious mind, and the subtle plane, moving through them in
meditation.
I am not the hard-drive!:
One explores the hard-drive, the deep sleep state, the
subconscious mind, and the causal plane, moving through them in
meditation.
I am the electricity!:
Through deep meditation, one pierces the three layers described above. Ultimately, one
comes to resolve the question, "Who am I?" in direct
experience, with the
realization of being the pure consciousness, energy, or life
force that is beyond, higher,
or underneath each of the other three levels, stages, or
states, which is the core of our being.
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This site is devoted to
presenting the ancient Self-Realization path of
the Tradition of the Himalayan masters
in simple, understandable and beneficial ways, while not compromising
quality or depth. The goal of our sadhana or practices is the highest
Joy that comes from the Realization in direct experience of the
center of consciousness, the Self, the Atman or Purusha, which is
one and the same with the Absolute Reality.
This Self-Realization comes through Yoga meditation of the Yoga
Sutras, the contemplative insight of Advaita Vedanta, and the
intense devotion of Samaya Sri Vidya Tantra, the three of which
complement one another like fingers on a hand.
We employ the classical approaches of Raja, Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti
Yoga, as well as Hatha, Kriya, Kundalini, Laya, Mantra, Nada, Siddha,
and Tantra Yoga. Meditation, contemplation, mantra and prayer
finally converge into a unified force directed towards the final
stage, piercing the pearl of wisdom called bindu, leading to the
Absolute.
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