Atman is the 4th State

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

“The concept of the three states of consciousness namely the wakeful state, the

dream state and the deep sleep state has been clearly explained in lessons 10

and 11. It was also clearly shown that these three states pertain to the

intellect only. By this it can be said with certainty that these three states

do not pertain to the Atma and therefore, the causes responsible for these

states - namely karma and its cause Kama and its cause avidya - do not taint the

Atma. It means that Atman is pure like water and resides within itself. It can

be further said that Atma is of the nature of knowledge itself.

 

This implies that Atman does not have any modifications and thus it remains

uninfluenced by the three states.

 

But our experience tells us that we actually experience these three states. But

it has already been proved that it is merely because of erroneous perception.

Therefore the seeker shoud give up these three states and realise that the Atman

is the fourth (tureeya) state.

 

What is meant by 'giving up'?

 

In dim light, we mistake a rope to be a snake. By this, we superimpose the

snake in a rope. When is this false notion removed? When we see in good light

that it is only a rope and not a snake, the delusion is removed automatically.

In the same way, we attribute the three states to the Atman whereas they

actually pertain to the buddhi. When we realise that 'I' am only a witness to

the three states, the superimposition is eradicated. Being a witness is 'giving

up'. Because the Atman devoid of these three states is pure, it is referred to

as Tureeya- the fourth state."

 

Sri Swamiji

Lessons in Vedanta -12 Part I

 

Sri Guru Datta,

Swamiji Says

 

 

 

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