The Four States of Human Consciousness

Introduction

As human beings, we have the remarkable capacity to experience and navigate various states of consciousness. These states define the overall world we perceive, think, and act upon. Understanding the different states of consciousness is crucial for personal growth, self-discovery, and gaining a deeper understanding of the human experience.

In this comprehensive blog post, we will delve into the four primary states of consciousness, the states of identification, the different types and states of attention, the role of habits, and the nature of the "I" or self. We will also explore the concept of mind, psychic nature, and the functions that govern our thoughts, thinking, and the sources of energy that sustain us, as taught by the renowned spiritual teacher Rajen Vakil.

The Four States of Consciousness

1. Nindra or Sleep (Dhritarashtra)

The first state of consciousness is Nidra or sleep. This is the state of physical rest, where the body and mind are in a state of deep relaxation. During this state, our awareness is completely disconnected from the external world, and we are not consciously engaged in any mental or physical activities.

2. Swapna or Dream (Sanjay)

The second state is Swapna or the dream state. This is the state in which a person lives and dies. In this state, our consciousness is still detached from the external world, but we are engaged in a psychological or inner world of dreams. The dream state is often considered a form of "psychological sleep," where our subconscious mind takes over and creates its own reality.

3. Jagruti or Self-Consciousness (Arjuna)

The third state is Jagruti or self-consciousness. This is the state where we are fully aware of our surroundings, our thoughts, and our actions. In this state, we have the ability to observe ourselves and our experiences objectively. However, it's important to note that self-consciousness is not something we are born with; it's a state that we have to work towards and cultivate through conscious effort and practice.

4. Turiya or the Fourth State (Krishna)

The fourth and final state is Turiya or the "fourth" state. This is the state of pure consciousness, where we are able to see and understand the ultimate truth. In this state, our awareness transcends the limitations of the physical, psychological, and mental realms, and we experience a deep connection with the universal consciousness or the divine.

States of Identification and Attention

In addition to the four states of consciousness, we also need to understand the concept of states of identification and attention.

States of Identification

We often live in a state of identification, where our attention becomes attached and seduced by each thought, emotion, and sensation. This state of hypnosis leads to a mechanical and unconscious life, where we are not fully present and aware.

Attention States and Types

Attention can be divided into two types: external and internal. It also has four states:

Zero Attention: A state of complete detachment and disengagement.

State of Attracted Attention: A state where our attention is drawn to external stimuli or internal thoughts and emotions.

State of Directed Attention: A state where we consciously focus our attention on a specific task or object.

State of Divided or Double-Arrowed Attention: This is the key to self-consciousness, as it allows us to observe our thoughts and actions from a detached perspective.

Habits and the "I"

Habits and Mechanicalness

Humans are largely defined by their habits – habits in thinking, feeling, movement, eating, and sleeping. These habits increase our mechanicalness and reduce our self-awareness. The journey of self-consciousness involves replacing mechanical habits with conscious habits through the practice of self-work or sadhana.

The Nature of "I"

Our being is composed of three parts: the Real (Essence), the Acquired (Personality), and the Imaginary (False Personality). The journey of self-consciousness is to reclaim the feeling of "I" and bring it back to the Real (Essence) before we were named. This self-study (Swadhyay) involves understanding the nature of our Essence, Personality, and False Personality.

Mind, Psychic Nature, and Functions

The mind is an "apartment with 4 rooms": the Thinking Mind, the Feeling Mind, the Sensing Mind, and the Moving Mind. People often have their center of gravity in one of these four minds, which can lead to imbalances and limitations in their overall functioning.

The psychic structure of the human being is composed of these four centers, which only come with the physical body. The art of rising in consciousness is to separate our consciousness from these functions and connect with the higher part of our psychic nature, which includes the higher Thinking and higher Feeling centers.

Thought Formation and Food

Our thinking instrument or inner monkey is constantly chattering, and this chatter is often mechanical and unconscious. To understand and overcome this, we need to grasp the science of thought formation and the different types of food that nourish our consciousness.

There are three types of food that we take in: physical food, air food, and impression food. The energy we need to maintain higher states of self-consciousness does not come from physical food alone; it also requires the nourishment of impressions and experiences that we take in.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explored the four states of human consciousness as taught by the spiritual teacher Rajen Vakil. Understanding these states, as well as the concepts of identification, attention, habits, the "I," mind, psychic nature, and thought formation, is crucial for personal growth, self-awareness, and spiritual development.

By cultivating self-consciousness and the ability to separate our awareness from the mechanical functioning of our minds and bodies, we can unlock the true potential of our being and experience the profound depths of the Turiya or fourth state of consciousness. This journey of self-discovery and transcendence is a lifelong process, but one that holds the promise of greater clarity, wisdom, and connection with the universal truth.