STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
AWAKEN to Truth; then stir not. Ignorance deludes; thus you have become bound. Hearing from inspired souls kindles the fire in you; then you peep into the Truth. Once you enter that first rung of the spiritual ladder, then the journey will be upward and Godward and not downward and earthward. This state of consciousness can be called turiya jagrat, awakening to the truth of turiya avasta, or the super conscious state. When Saint Tukaram was awakened to this state of consciousness, he renounced all his relatives and went in utter surrender to God Panduranga Vittala. Brethren, awaken to this truth; then alone will you know that the protector and savior is only one, and that is God.
The second state of consciousness will be turiya svapna. In this state you stand before God and pray unto Him in all humility. As you implore Him for mercy, slowly you come to a stage when you find that divine light encompasses you, or you hear some voice, your own inner voice. All these mystical sounds or fragrances make you forget your little self, and you catch a glimpse of that world which remains beyond the ken of the intellect.
The next stage will be turiya sushupthi. This can be called savikalpa samadhi. In the deep sleep state, even though your mind and body are resting, still you enjoy it. So also when you see the saguna form of the Lord, you forget your body, mind and intellect and are absorbed in that vision. Now the devotee and devotion have become one, but the Deity appears before you-you enjoy the darshan of the Lord. The bliss experienced will remain always, but you may again want to cling to sense pleasures. Your attention is focused toward only one end--that is to remain as a devotee of God, chant His name and sing His glory. The bhaktas who attain this state pray to God not to bestow on them mukti (liberation), but only bhakti (love). They pray to be born again and again only as bhaktas of the Lord to glorify His name for the upliftment of humanity.
The last stage is turiya-turiya or nirvikalpa samadhi. There the knower, knowledge and the known--the love, lover, and the beloved--become one.
Out of all these states, the sweetest will be the one in which the devotee is face to face with the Personal God. All sublime poetry, thoughts and words of wisdom spring from this stage of consciousness. Spiritual literature and songs have sprung from this state of consciousness. Even though these songs were sung many centuries ago, still you will find in them the perfume, depth of feeling, deliciousness and everything that is mystical, even to this day. The cause is evident. It is because they have seen God that the songs have direct impact on the hearers.
O divinities on earth, enjoy the supreme bliss by hearing such harikathas (stories of God) and bhajans; lose not a single opportunity to hear such things. Be like a bee to sip the honey of bhakti from the lotus feet of God. Dance with Krishna as a gopi. Become a cowherd boy and wander in His company. Become a flute in His hand. At least wish to be a blade of grass in Brindavan so that His feet can touch you. Pray sincerely and attain Him whom the yogis see in their hearts always. Let all glory be Yours.
(Essence
of Bhagavad Gita and Bible, p. 24.)