Samadhi: the Superconsciousness of the Future by Mouni Sadhu, first published in 1962 by George Allen and Unwin . CHAPTER I Definition of Samadhi and Its Aims: Verse 6: He may study the scriptures, propitiate the gods (by sacrifices), perform religious ceremonies or offer devotion to the gods, yet he will not attain salvation even during the succession of a hundred Brahma-yugas except by the knowledge of union with the spirit. In the second half of the twentieth century, the question of the higher aspects of consciousness in man, often called simply the Superconsciousness, is becoming more and more urgent for deeply thinking people. Many works have appeared on the subject, and from their popularity one can judge of the interest connected with it. But it is not easy to find a practical manual which leads to clear and scientific conceptions about the different forms of the Superconsciousness, which in the East is called Samadhi. It is even more difficult to find authors who do not merely write compilations from the classical works of the Indian Initiates, but who speak from their own firsthand experience. Such experience alone can become a living truth for eager and earnest students, who feel a strong desire to attain the peaks, about which they can find many incomparable treatises in Eastern philosophical literature, such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, the works of Sankaracharya, Ashtavakra and finally of the modern Great Rishi of India—Ramana Maharshi. For a thinking man, there is no doubt that consciousness in human beings is subjected to a steady evolution. Nobody would deny that even a couple of thousand years ago the Self in man was much more primitive than in this twentieth century, not to mention prehistoric races and tribes, belonging to, say, the Stone Age, and so on. Despite the fact that humanity is undergoing the evolution of its inner treasure, that is Self-consciousness, it does not follow that everyone is progressing at the same rate. In this matter there is not, and never has been, any equality. The paths were always shown by the most advanced sons of man, and the rest followed, more or less slowly. There is no doubt that were a Socrates or a Pythagoras living in our own time, they would also be recognized as sages and eminent men, at least, by those whose inner criterion is sufficiently advanced. But this does not mean that all people living in Socrates time would find similar recognition and respect because of their qualities, which, to us, might well appear to be somewhat limited and primitive. And so it is with our own period: a few people become ripe enough to tread new paths, as, for example, the one which forms the subject of this book, and which treats of the new forms of consciousness in us. The masses are not yet interested in these, preferring to use the more material aspects of civilization, such as the latest in technical progress, with all the accompanying inventions and gadgets. This book, like my former ones, has not been written in order to expound some new theories as teachings. There are enough in existence, which, if followed, bring the aspirant to the individual knowledge of the Truth of his (and everyones) being. Here you will find advice on how to proceed on the Path, and how to get first-hand experience of that which, so far, for the overwhelming majority of humans, remains as only a misty picture of unreality. My aim here is not to provide any additional mental knowledge, but to aid in the development of the higher consciousness, which alone reveals the ultimate Truth, which is the final goal of everything. I mentioned a new type of consciousness, a wider and brighter one, in two former books, which form the first and second parts of my mystic trilogy, being respectively: In Days of Great Peace and Concentration. An extensive study of both these books is necessary before one can attempt to make a start with the present work, which is the culminating point for its two predecessors. In Days of Great Peace deals with the experiences leading to the enlargement of consciousness, while Concentration gives the necessary explanations and techniques for the first step, that is, domination of ones own mind. This book speaks about the ultimate aim, the achievement of the Superconsciousness—Samadhi, and the ways leading to it. * * * * As a principal definition, according to the Eastern and Western occult tradition, we have to make a strict distinction between two kinds of terms: (1) Super sensual Visions, Ecstasies, Apparitions, Magic Evocations, Sixth Sense and Mesmeric and Spiritist Phenomena, briefly, all those things which we know from popular books on occult themes, and (2) True Superconsciousness, independent of all visions and other inner or outer conditions in which man can find himself. This distinction between terms is an axiom, given to us by those who know. These two kinds of terms (1) and (2) will become well understood when we rightly analyse what all these visions and ecstasies actually are. In this book I shall call as foremost evidence and authority for the Eastern spiritual philosophy, the sayings of the latest Great Rishi of India, Sri Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950). This is because he was the leading contemporary exponent of Indian philosophical thought, and because he lived in our own period and was able to adapt, explain and deepen that thought for us. As considerable literature already exists about this spiritual giant, I will refrain from giving many particulars about his biography and teachings, since both can easily be found in other books about Sri Maharshi (see also In Days of Great Peace). So, we will call the aforementioned enlargements of perception (visions, ecstasies, trances, clairvoyance, clairaudience, mediumism, and so on), just the sharpening and developing of the other than physical senses in man, but which are still only a different kind of activity of those senses. So taught the Maharshi himself. Consequently we see that in this case no principle has been changed, only the scale of perceptions has become wider. In other words, there still remains the old binary: I and Non-I. In occult philosophy, unsolved binaries are known as unproductive conceptions, which keep us in the old basic ignorance of the ultimate Truth of Being. Therefore, we cannot have any hope in such a dualistic condition. No matter how apparently sublime and beautiful the extension of our means of cognition might be for us, when directed outwards, that is, to the so-called Non-I, there will always remain the unbroken relativity, just like the unpleasant, bitter spoon of tar, hidden at the bottom of a barrel of pure honey, which spoils the contents, because we must inevitably reach it. Therefore, in the relativity of our merging into different worlds (not only the physical one, of course, but also in those of more subtle matter, of which we will speak extensively in Chapter III), there cannot be found any ultimate, that is absolute and not relative consciousness, which alone can be defined as true Superconsciousness. I hope all of this sufficiently explains the first kind of terms as given previously in (1). At the same time, the second now becomes justified and understandable, and with it, the whole conception of Samadhi. We will reject the use of this expression for all the phenomena from (1), which some insufficiently knowledgeable exponents call the lower kinds of Samadhi. From our point of view there is only one Samadhi, without any relation to the manifested worlds, and therefore it is independent, above and beyond all time and space, the ultimate, absolute, unchangeable Reality, our final inheritance and eternal rest. It may be advisable here to quote two important statements of the Maharshi, who, in his usually concise and direct manner says: (a) ‘Samadhi alone can reveal the truth.’** (b) ‘In Samadhi there is only the feeling of I-I, and no thoughts.’** The first statement (a) does not need any further explanation now that we have analysed the first kind of term; but the second statement (b) is evidently an effort to express in the minds language and terminology, what actually cannot be interpreted in any words. Even under such a difficulty this saying of the Sage Maharshi has a highly enlightening and practical character, for it is a direct answer to the question: What is there in Samadhi, when man is in that state of consciousness? Evidently, it is the basic, glorious Oneness, without any more duality. There is only the wordless and thoughtless I, or I am. Incidentally, that ‘I am that I am’ is a definition of the Supreme Being (Essence), as given to us in the Old Testament. The Maharshi more than once underlined this fact. The aim to be reached through the attainment of Samadhi is to enter into a state of pure consciousness, in which there is no subject nor object. There is no need to point out that such a state is far beyond all incarnations, that is life in forms; it actually transcends all bodies, limitations and conditions, in which there is no subject nor object, as was said previously. Admittedly, it is not easy even to imagine such heights through our minds efforts; but this is only natural and logical. In Samadhi the mind is left far below, as an instrument of consciousness, and with it fall away all feelings and thoughts, which are absent in that sublime state. All changes also cease. The Peace alone remains which cannot be disturbed by anything. This is the peace, which surpassess all human understanding (mind). And yet, even now, there are souls on this Earth, who have reached that Peace, and also those who are still struggling to reach it. They will fully understand the meaning of this chapter. ********************************************************************************** * Opening verse : [ Verse 6 of ‘Viveka-Cudamani ‘ or Crest-Jewel of Wisdom by Sri Sankaracharya translation by Mohini M Chatterji ] (a) ‘Samadhi alone can reveal the truth.’** -- [Book 1 of ‘Maharshi’s Gospel’ from Chapter 6 (‘Self-Realization] (b) ‘In Samadhi there is only the feeling of I-I, and no thoughts.’** -- [Book 1 of ‘Maharshi’s Gospel’ from Chapter 6 (‘Self-Realization]
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 14:37:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015