What are Advaita (Non-Duality), Bhakti (Devotion) & 7 planes of mind? – Ramakrishna


Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Teachings

What are Advaita (Non-Duality), Bhakti (Devotion) & 7 planes of mind?

In the light of Vedantic reasoning, Brahman, the Supreme Reality has no attributes. The real nature of Brahman cannot be described. But so long as your individuality is real, the world also is real, and equally real are the different forms of God and the feeling that God is a Person. 

Vedantic Non-dualism 

The forms and aspects of God disappear when one discriminates in accordance with the Vedanta philosophy. The ultimate conclusion of such discrimination is that Brahman alone is real and this world of names and forms illusory. It is possible for a man to see the forms of God, or to think of Him as a Person, only so long as he is conscious that he is a devotee. From the standpoint of discrimination this ‘ego of a devotee’ keeps him a little away from God. 

Do you know why images of Krishna or Kāli are three and a half cubits high? Because of distance. Again, on account of distance the sun appears to be small. But if you go near it you will find the sun so big that you won’t be able to comprehend it. Why have images of Krishna and Kāli a dark-blue colour? That too is on account of distance, like the water of a lake, which appears green, blue, or black from a distance. Go near, take the water in the palm of your hand, and you will find that it has no colour. The sky also appears blue from a distance. Go near and you will see that it has no colour at all. 

Therefore I say that, in the light of Vedantic reasoning, Brahman, the Supreme Reality has no attributes. The real nature of Brahman cannot be described. But so long as your individuality is real, the world also is real, and equally real are the different forms of God and the feeling that God is a Person. 

If you are a devotee, Yours is the path of bhakti, devotion. That is very good; it is an easy path. Who can fully know the infinite God? and what need is there of knowing the Infinite? Having attained this rare human birth, my supreme need is to develop love for the Lotus Feet of God. 

If a jug of water is enough to remove my thirst, why should I measure the quantity of water in a lake? If I become drunk on even half a bottle of wine, what is the use of my calculating the quantity of liquor in the tavern? Similarly, with devotion, What need is there of knowing the Infinite? 

The various states of mind of the Brahma jnani are described in the Vedas. The path of knowledge is extremely difficult. One cannot obtain jnāna if one has the least trace of worldliness and the slightest attachment to ‘carnal passions and money’. This is not the path for the Kaliyuga. 

Seven planes of the mind 

The Vedas speak of seven planes where the mind dwells. 

When the mind is immersed in worldliness it dwells in the three lower planes- at the naval, the organ of generation, and the organ of evacuation. In that state the mind loses all its higher visions-it broods only on ‘carnal passions and money’. 

The fourth plane of the mind is at the heart. When the mind dwells there, one has the first glimpse of spiritual consciousness. One sees light all around. Such a man, perceiving the divine light, becomes speechless with wonder and says: ‘Ah! What is this? What is this?’ His mind does not go downward to the objects of the world. 

The fifth plane of the mind is at the throat. When the mind reaches this, the aspirant becomes free from all ignorance and illusion. He does not enjoy talking or hearing about anything but God. If people talk about worldly things, he leaves the place at once. 

The sixth plane is at the forehead. When the mind reaches it, the aspirant sees the form of God day and night. But even then a little trace of ego remains. At the sight of that incomparable beauty of God’s form, one becomes intoxicated and rushes forth to touch and embrace it. But one doesn’t succeed. It is like the light inside a lantern. One feels as if one could touch the light, but one cannot on account of the pane of glass. 

In the top of the head is the seventh plane. When the mind rises there, one goes into samādhi. Then the Brahma jnani directly perceives Brahman. But in that state his body does not last many days. He remains unconscious of the outer world. If milk is poured into his mouth, it runs out. Dwelling on this plane of consciousness, he gives up his body in twenty-one days. That is the condition of the Brahmajnani. But yours is the path of devotion. That is a very good and easy path. 

In the light of Vedantic reasoning, Brahman, the Supreme Reality has no attributes. The real nature of Brahman cannot be described. But so long as your individuality is real, the world also is real, and equally real are the different forms of God and the feeling that God is a Person.