Levels of Consciousness

States of experiencing

Universe is a series of experiences that comes one after another. If we cannot experience anything then there is no universe. The existence of universe happens because of the capability to experience universe. How we become capable of experiencing everything? It is because of consciousness. It is the ultimate center of knowing. Without consciousness the budhi or mind or senses cannot function. Without consciousness there will not be any experience for us. There are different levels of consciousness or experiencing. Our states of experience or levels of consciousness starts from the level of senses. We experience the outer world through senses. Behind senses there are  sense matters(vishayas). Beyond this, is the mind. Then the budhi. Beyond the budhi is prana. When prana is crossed there is the vague state. When this state is crossed there is the pure consciousness. Beyond this there is no states. This is the ultimate level of consciousness or the superior state of experience or existence.

First level of consciousness - The level of Senses

The experience starts from senses. We experience every thing in this universe, including our own body, through five senses(eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue). Senses are the tools that happen the experiences of matter or things. This is true not only for humans but also for all living beings. Without senses there cannot be any experience of things and without it there cannot be any experience of universe.

Second level of consciousness - The level of Vishaya

Experience of five basic substances(vishaya- subtle form of sound, touch, taste, form and smell) are happened because of the five senses. The experience of physical world happens when five senses start experiencing the vishayas from subtle level to  physical level. In the physical level the senses experience different things as 'names and forms'. When sense-experiences in physical level are turned inward, then experience goes to subtle level.

Third level of consciousness - The level of Mind

The experience that is seen behind vishaya is mind. When senses create the experiences of vishayas, this in turn create different imaginations, thoughts, feelings and emotions. Mind is the totality of such emotions. Mind field has no stability, it changes from time to time. Humans, most of the time, stay in the superficial level of senses, vishaya and mind. They come very rarely even in the level of budhi.

Fourth level of consciousness - The level of Budhi

Budhi is the state of experience behind mind. The filed of budhi becomes obvious only when vibration of mind becomes less. When mind becomes quiet there the budhi starts to function. Happiness lies in this state by stilling the mind. But humans cannot go into the state naturally. Their mind becomes still and goes into the field of budhi and enjoys when they connect with some pleasureful experiences of senses.There, they find happiness or joy in sensual pleasures.

Fifth level of consciousness - The level of Prana

This level of prana(energy) is beyond budhi. At the peak level of Budhi, it withdraws from mind level and turns inward. When budhi becomes detached from the state of experiencing happiness, it crosses that level. There is the level of prana or energy. When budhi merges into prana, all experiences, including the experience of own body, are seen emerging from a singular consciouss point.

Sixth level of consciousness - The Vague level

In all the above levels there is an 'aham' or the feeling of "I" who experiences those states. When prana spandana(vibration of energy) also becomes quiet then the 'aham' also vanishes. It resembles the deep sleep state. Here in this state, all vibrations and all scenes of things totally vanishes. All perception of senses and mind become totally destroyed in this stage. Here is no experience of 'names and forms'. But there starts an indirect shine of pure consciousness. Totally is a vague experience.

Seventh level of consciousness - The level of Bodha or Pure Consciousness

By the disappearance of the last trace of 'aham', the vague veil that covered the truth is destroyed. Then here the ultimate truth shines and becomes unveiled. The aham and the consciousness becomes one and merges here. So there is no further way to proceed and it demarcates the final and ultimate state of experience that one can proceed. This is the stage where all happiness become condensed. Here lies the non-dual state of consciousness. It is having no vibration, no karma, no feelings. Sat-Chit-Ananda.