Jnana is a Sanskrit phrase that means data 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, inside 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 non secular 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 historical non secular 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 offered as important phases of inside 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, also known as the jagrat or waking phases, characterize the preliminary awakening. In these phases, the seeker begins to recognise the restrictions of worldly data and turns into conscious of the necessity to dispel ignorance and pursue greater 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 inside illumination, full detachment from worldly attachments, and realises the supreme consciousness.
Every of the seven phases holds deep non secular significance and performs a significant position 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 need)
The primary stage is when individuals start to ask themselves questions concerning the that means of life. They start to search for solutions to their aimlessness and need to get out of an ignorant life by non secular progress.
They’re inspired to learn scriptures, discuss to smart individuals or saints, and apply vairagya (detachment from worldly pleasures).
Studying scriptures helps us perceive the fundamentals of non secular knowledge and open our hearts. That is properly complemented by associating with individuals who can information one on the proper path. It’s smart to be taught from different individuals’s experiences to be able to get in contact with your individual inside self.
Additionally, once you apply vairagya, you are inclined to naturally suppress any attraction to sensual objects. Cultivating vairagya is important as a result of it ensures that you’re not pushed by private acquire and that your morals and ethics are given a powerful basis.
At this stage, it’s essential to have a discernible intention and an unquenchable urge to enhance your non secular apply.
As we advance to greater ranges of knowledge, this can help within the growth of consciousness and a transparent, centered thoughts.
Stage: 2 Vicharana (self-inquiry)
Once you learn the scriptures, there may be an urge for self-reflection. You might be routinely 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 examine them in opposition to the data you will have gained from varied sources.
You are attempting to realize readability concerning 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 features 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 do away with them.
The seeker positive factors 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 willpower to understand the true actuality, vicharana is the implementation of that willpower.
Stage: 3 Tanumanasi (delicate thoughts)
Within the third stage, your thoughts has turn out to be “skinny as a thread (tanu)”.” Your thoughts can now overcome all types of distractions and focus solely in your non secular 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 inside 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 deal with the delicate elements 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 non secular mild. They now perceive the distinction between the self and the ego and see the whole lot as one. They’re indifferent from worldly affairs and might really feel the interconnectedness of all issues within the universe. There isn’t a struggling and one experiences deep non secular peace and tranquility.
Because of this, the world seems like a dream.
Brahmavit (Brahman-knowing) is the title 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 (inside 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 the whole lot, and the ego thoughts has been tamed.
This stage of the journey permits the seeker to rid himself of all materials needs and deal with the seek for non secular liberation.
The seeker is now generally known as Brahmavidvara (superior knower of Brahman) and performs his important duties with out displaying any indicators of attachment. Though the Brahmavidvara is busy with social duties, he understands that the fabric world is an phantasm and might change.
Stage 6: Padartha bhavana (non secular imaginative and prescient)
When the seeker reaches this stage, they’ve attained the data of the reality.
That is the stage the place psychological actions have come to a halt and the thoughts can now not distinguish between inside and outer sense experiences.
On this state, transcending all dualisms and bounds, the seeker is conscious that the whole lot is interconnected and a part of the identical cosmic consciousness. The seeker is a Brahmavidvariyan, or one who’s greater than Brahmavidvara.
From the understanding of the final word fact comes an amazing sense of peace and contentment.
Stage 7: Turiya (supreme freedom)
The seeker has lastly reached the state of pure consciousness. He’s now fully 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 very 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 the most effective among the many knowers of Brahman
Advantages of progressing by the phases
It is very important perceive that the advantages of jnana bhumikas should not fully 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 simply an phantasm.
Your relationship with your self and others modifications, which can or will not be perceived positively. What issues, nevertheless, is that you’re content material with this realization and got down to know your true self.
With that in thoughts, listed below are some advantages you would possibly discover when going by the 7 steps:
- Promotes self-knowledge and private progress by self-inquiry and introspection.
- Deepen your non secular understanding by studying scriptures and buying data from saints.
- You might be free of egoic limitations and struggling as you acknowledge the delicate nuances of spirit.
- Builds wholesome connections and relationships with others by eliminating adverse feelings and thought patterns.
- Guides you thru inside transformation and better states of consciousness by eradicating the veil of phantasm and misunderstanding.
- Cultivates knowledge, readability, and inside peace when your thoughts continues 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 (someday per stage). Quite the opposite, it’s an arduous journey that requires lots of perseverance, willpower, and dedication and might take years, a long time, or perhaps a lifetime.
Like an onion, you’ll slowly peel every layer of your true self to find a aspect that was hidden by the illusions of the fabric world. This may allow you to reside a purposeful life and provide the peace and tranquility you will have at all times strived for.
Even when your purpose is to not obtain non secular enlightenment or liberation, the method will allow you to develop an consciousness of the significance of knowledge and the way necessary it’s to domesticate it in your day by 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.
