Jnana is a Sanskrit phrase which means information or knowledge, and bhumikas refers to phases or ranges. Jnana Bhumikas are the degrees of information or phases of knowledge that, when adopted by a jnana yogi or a jnani, can result in liberation (moksha).
There are seven Jnana Bhumikas, which define a path of self-inquiry, internal transformation, and the eventual attainment of superconsciousness.
Every stage deepens your understanding of your true self and divulges the final word actuality. These phases encourage you to stroll the religious path and realise your oneness with the universe.
As well as, the seven Bhumikas additionally act as a information for exploring your persona, ideas, and emotional patterns, serving to you construct more healthy relationships with your self and people round you.
Historic significance of jnana bhumikas
The idea of Jnana Bhumikas is rooted in historic religious texts and holds deep historic significance. These seven phases are first talked about within the Varaha Upanishad and are additional elaborated within the Yoga Vasistha, a philosophical dialogue between Sage Vasistha and Lord Rama.
Seven phases jnana bhumikas
Within the Yoga Vasistha, the Jnana Bhumikas are introduced as important phases of internal growth that assist dissolve confusion and transcend the ego. These phases information the seeker towards the everlasting bliss of their true nature by purifying the thoughts and eliminating false beliefs and psychological disturbances.
The first three phases, sometimes called the jagrat or waking phases, characterize the preliminary awakening. In these phases, the seeker begins to recognise the constraints of worldly information and turns into conscious of the necessity to dispel ignorance and pursue larger knowledge.
The remaining 4 phases are related to jivanmukti, the state of being a liberated being whereas nonetheless alive. At this stage, the seeker attains internal illumination, full detachment from worldly attachments, and realises the supreme consciousness.
Every of the seven phases holds deep religious significance and performs a significant function within the journey of self-realisation and liberation (moksha). They type a transparent and progressive path from mental inquiry to the direct expertise of the final word fact.
Stage 1: Subheccha (good want)
The primary stage is when folks start to ask themselves questions in regards to the which means of life. They start to search for solutions to their aimlessness and want to get out of an ignorant life by religious development.
They’re inspired to learn scriptures, speak to smart folks or saints, and apply vairagya (detachment from worldly pleasures).
Studying scriptures helps us perceive the fundamentals of religious knowledge and open our hearts. That is properly complemented by associating with individuals who can information one on the fitting path. It’s smart to be taught from different folks’s experiences with a purpose to get in contact with your individual internal self.
Additionally, once you apply vairagya, you are likely to naturally suppress any attraction to sensual objects. Cultivating vairagya is crucial as a result of it ensures that you’re not pushed by private acquire and that your morals and ethics are given a robust basis.
At this stage, it’s essential to have a discernible intention and an unquenchable urge to enhance your religious apply.
As we advance to larger ranges of knowledge, this can assist within the growth of consciousness and a transparent, centered thoughts.
Stage: 2 Vicharana (self-inquiry)
Whenever you learn the scriptures, there’s an urge for self-reflection. You’re mechanically pushed to self-exploration as a result of you will have mirrored on the scriptures and the teachings you will have discovered from the saints.
At this stage, you query the character of true actuality and your beliefs and test them towards the information you will have gained from varied sources.
You are attempting to realize readability in regards to the nature of your assumptions, whether or not they’re true or false.
Via meditation and deep introspection, the sources of disturbances and distractions you had earlier than fade away. They won’t trigger a response from you since you now perceive the character of consciousness and the capabilities of the thoughts.
You additionally start to know what your tensions, worries, anger, traumas, and fears are primarily based on and take acceptable steps to eliminate them.
The seeker positive aspects a deeper understanding of the essence of life as he begins to shed the veil of ignorance and misconceptions that hinder his imaginative and prescient.
Merely put, if subheccha is the dedication to understand the true actuality, vicharana is the implementation of that dedication.
Stage: 3 Tanumanasi (refined thoughts)
Within the third stage, your thoughts has turn out to be “skinny as a thread (tanu)”.” Your thoughts can now overcome every kind of distractions and focus solely in your religious path. The seeker can dwell in contemplation for hours with out being disturbed by exterior distractions.
One can attain this stage solely after cultivating vairagya, pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), and internal silence by practising meditation, pranayama, bhakti-yoga, tapas (abstinence), and different yogic practices.
These practices assist the thoughts to turn out to be disciplined, centered, and calm, and to develop the willpower to give attention to the refined parts of the thoughts by turning inward.
Additionally it is stated that an individual who dies at this stage will stay in heaven for a very long time and be reborn as a Jnani (sage).
Stage 4: Sattvapatti (attainment of sunshine)
Within the fourth stage, the seeker has attained religious gentle. They now perceive the distinction between the self and the ego and see all the pieces as one. They’re indifferent from worldly affairs and may really feel the interconnectedness of all issues within the universe. There is no such thing as a struggling and one experiences deep religious peace and tranquility.
Because of this, the world seems like a dream.
Brahmavit (Brahman-knowing) is the identify given to 1 who has efficiently reached this stage. Step one in discovering one’s true self is definitely to have this understanding of the final word fact.
Stage: 5 Asamsakti (internal detachment)
Asamsakti means desirelessness. The seeker is now not drawn to or hooked up to materials possessions or feelings. There are now not dualistic or multi-layered ideas. The seeker has a stronger understanding of the impermanence of all the pieces, and the ego thoughts has been tamed.
This stage of the journey permits the seeker to rid himself of all materials needs and give attention to the seek for religious liberation.
The seeker is now often known as Brahmavidvara (superior knower of Brahman) and performs his important duties with out exhibiting any indicators of attachment. Though the Brahmavidvara is busy with social duties, he understands that the fabric world is an phantasm and may change.
Stage 6: Padartha bhavana (religious imaginative and prescient)
When the seeker reaches this stage, they’ve attained the information of the reality.
That is the stage the place psychological actions have come to a halt and the thoughts can now not distinguish between internal and outer sense experiences.
On this state, transcending all dualisms and limits, the seeker is conscious that all the pieces is interconnected and a part of the identical cosmic consciousness. The seeker is a Brahmavidvariyan, or one who’s larger than Brahmavidvara.
From the understanding of the final word fact comes an incredible sense of peace and contentment.
Stage 7: Turiya (supreme freedom)
The seeker has lastly reached the state of pure consciousness. He’s now utterly indifferent from all needs and free from ideas. That is the stage of experiencing the state of superconsciousness.
On this last stage, the seeker has realized the true self and attained moksha or liberation. The idea of “I” is now not separate from the universe, and the idea of duality has disappeared.
That is the best state of consciousness that may be attained by deep introspection, self-inquiry, and contemplation.
The seeker’s quest for knowledge and enlightenment culminates within the realization of turiya.
The seeker has now turn out to be a Brahmavidvaristha or one of the best among the many knowers of Brahman
Advantages of progressing by the phases
It is very important perceive that the advantages of jnana bhumikas are usually not utterly tangible. As you undergo the phases, the modifications are mirrored in your persona and in your mind-set. As your understanding of the world modifications, you understand that this actuality is barely an phantasm.
Your relationship with your self and others modifications, which can or might not be perceived positively. What issues, nonetheless, is that you’re content material with this realization and got down to know your true self.
With that in thoughts, listed here are some advantages you may discover when going by the 7 steps:
- Promotes self-knowledge and private development by self-inquiry and introspection.
- Deepen your religious understanding by studying scriptures and buying information from saints.
- You’re free of egoic limitations and struggling as you acknowledge the refined nuances of spirit.
- Builds wholesome connections and relationships with others by eliminating unfavorable feelings and thought patterns.
- Guides you thru internal transformation and better states of consciousness by eradicating the veil of phantasm and misunderstanding.
- Cultivates knowledge, readability, and internal peace when your thoughts remains to be and you’re employed with out expectations.
Conclusion
Going by every stage of Jnana Bhumika shouldn’t be one thing that may be accomplished in 7 days (at some point per stage). Quite the opposite, it’s an arduous journey that requires a number of perseverance, willpower, and dedication and may take years, many years, or perhaps a lifetime.
Like an onion, you’ll slowly peel every layer of your true self to find a facet that was hidden by the illusions of the fabric world. This can make it easier to dwell a purposeful life and provide the peace and tranquility you will have all the time strived for.
Even when your purpose is to not obtain religious enlightenment or liberation, the method will make it easier to develop an consciousness of the significance of knowledge and the way necessary it’s to domesticate it in your each day life.
That is additionally why you will need to apply meditation, pranayamas, and yoga asanas recurrently, as they assist put together the thoughts to stay calm and centered.
