The goal of human existence is enlightenment. It is the very pinnacle of achievement that a man can achieve. We are all aware of the glory of creation on earth, of the various forms of life and non living matter. Beyond earth are the Solar System and the Milky Way and other galaxies. When we ponder about the Universe and the size and complexity of creation, it is mind boggling. There is a common factor, a bond or link between all of the creation. Like the thread which binds and holds multi-color flowers and leaves in a massive garland, there is the universal consciousness which is common to all creation and which holds and binds all creation. Realizing this truth and becoming one with the universal consciousness is enlightenment. Then we are a part of all and all is one with us.
The question arises whether enlightenment is a gradual process or it takes place at once. It can be both - it can be gradual and or it can be sudden and abrupt for some. A labourer is working on a huge rock to break it. It takes a hundred blows to break it. Where a rock breaks at the 45th stroke, it means that it has undergone 55 hits before. Every hit made previously on the stone has weakened the stone. We hear of great saints who have received enlightenment effortlessly. It only means that they have worked on themselves in their previous lives. We place water for heating. The temperature gradually climbs up and suddenly the water starts evaporating. The process of vaporization goes on slowly and invisibly as the water is heating and then suddenly we see the water turn into vapour. The process of enlightenment is similar.
When man lives at the level of survival, there is no question of enlightenment. A day comes when questions arise in the mind about what is good and what is bad and the desire to do good consciously arises from within. The Yoga Vashista says that the first stage of enlightenment comes with a strong desire to do good. The next stage is that of thinking what good we can do and how we can do it. Then the mind focuses on the proper thing to do. During this process, the ego begins to melt or thin out a bit. Hence the distractions of the mind are less and we can think of one thing only. The mind is a layer which covers the ego. When this layer is dark and thick with self importance, greed, pleasures and desires, the light of the soul cannot pass through the mind and reflect in our lives. When the ego loses hold over mind and the mind focuses on doing good things, the hold of sensory objects and desires on us becomes less strong and less tenacious. Till now we are still in the preparatory levels.
In the next stage, the purity or satwa quality of mind manifests from within and we feel as if there was a flash within self. It is like beholding lightning from within and not in the skies. We are still at the gateway of enlightenment and not in it. This is a stage of high purity. In the stage after that we experience the stars, sun, planets – the very universe within self. We experience the Cosmos within self. We know that all is within and nothing is out there. There is great detachment in this stage. In the next stage after that, we experience what is taught today in science – that all matter is made up of light. We experience flood radiance everywhere as if there is nothing but light in the universe. Here we watch the radiance. This is Savikalpa Samadhi. In the final stage, we merge with the light and there is no watcher. All of the cosmos is light and we are light and we are one with the light. Here the radiance sees the radiance. This is called Nirvikalpa Samadhi. It is also called the turiya state.
A person comes out the Nirvikalpa Samadhi and continues to live. Where the body is not properly prepared by long regular sadhana, the person could leave his body within a few months as the body and mind cannot sustain receiving such high levels of bliss. Many great masters continued to live and teach for long periods of time after enlightenment. Some great masters exist in their subtle bodies, guiding souls on their way to God. India stands tall and strong due to the sacred vibrations and blessings of such Enlightened Masters. Every soul in cosmos is working its way to enlightenment.
