The Power of Right Reasoning (Vitarka)
Vitarka, or right reasoning, is presented as a crucial element that contributes positively to society and civilization, even within scientific fields. It is characterized by contemplation, bliss (ananda), and pure awareness (asmita), which are hallmarks of the first level of Samadhi, known as Sampragnatha Samadhi. According to the Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, any logic that ultimately helps one realize the absence of logic is, in itself, right reasoning. Conversely, kutarka, or wrong understanding, prevents contribution in any field and creates a significant gap between an individual and spiritual truths.
Three Core Truths for Inner Liberation
To truly grasp the higher states of consciousness, Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam emphasizes three vital “clicks” or truths:
- Having thoughts is not thinking. Thoughts are likened to guests in an “annasatras” (a free food and lodging facility), arriving and departing without inherent reason. True “thinking” only occurs when one’s pure “am-ness” (pure awareness) engages with and experiences a specific thought, actively picking it up. Realizing this can resolve many inner conflicts and self-created sufferings.
- Mind is not a thing; it is an action. Just as walking is an action that can be stopped by sitting, or talking by being silent, “minding” is also an action that can be ceased by simply relaxing. Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam clarifies that one is personally responsible for the action of thinking. Recognizing the mind as an action rather than an object liberates one from the need to constantly fight with it, leading to profound inner freedom. He describes this as constantly “spinning thread out of cotton” or “words out of existence”.
- The cessation of clutching with thoughts (Asampragnatha Samadhi). This is the profound truth described in Patanjali’s 18th Sutra. Asampragnatha Samadhi, the second level of Samadhi, occurs when the mental function of clinging to thoughts ceases, and only samskaras (impressions) that do not cause disturbance in the inner space remain. The first experience of this “unclutching” is considered Asampragnatha Samadhi itself.
Journeys to Asampragnatha Samadhi
The transition from Sampragnata Samadhi to Asampragnata Samadhi involves a deep process of unclutching from mental functions, even those at the highest frequency.
- Ramakrishna’s Experience: Ramakrishna, deeply connected to the deity Kali, lived in a constant state of Sampragnatha Samadhi. He would even physically check if she was breathing, demonstrating his profound connection. To move to the next level, the enlightened monk Totapuri initiated him into Vedanta, instructing him to unclutch completely from all thoughts, including the form of Kali. Ramakrishna initially struggled to unclutch from Kali’s form, but she appeared to him, instructing him to “cut my form with this sword” of knowledge. Upon doing so, he disappeared into Asampragnata Samadhi, experiencing the cessation of clutching with any mental function, including his cherished connection to the form of Kali.
- Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam’s Experience: Swamiji recounts His own powerful experience leading to Asampragnata Samadhi at the age of 11. He developed an intense feeling connection with a young sadhu at the Arunachala temple, a bond so strong it transcended normal logic, akin to “falling in love”. This connection evolved through stages of liberation: from living in the sadhu’s frequency (Salokya Mukti), to nearness (Samipya Mukti), to becoming his form (Sarupya Mukti), and finally realizing that his individual existence was an illusion (Sayujya Mukti). The pivotal moment occurred after nine months of this intense connection. One day, his spiritual mother, whom he confided in, revealed that the “cave” from which the sadhu always emerged was a closed stone slab, the Samadhi (tomb) of a 2,000-year-old enlightened master named Yogi Shara. This revelation transformed his devotion into “jnana vistar bhakti” – devotion based on knowledge. Later, when he rushed to the main shrine of the temple, he perceived the sadhu (Yogi Shara) sitting in place of the Shiva Linga. The moment he spiritually “touched” Yogi Shara, a profound shift occurred: “he was me, I was he”. This moment marked the cessation of the mental activity of clutching with that form, transitioning him from Sampragnatha Samadhi to Asampragnatha Samadhi. After this, he no longer “missed” the form, as he had been elevated to the next level of consciousness.
Beyond Asampragnata Samadhi: Nirvikalpa Samadhi
While Asampragnatha Samadhi involves the cessation of clutching, some samskaras (impressions) that do not disturb the inner space may still remain. The deeper state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi is achieved when even these “seeds” of samskaras are completely burned. This requires residing in Asampragnatha Samadhi for an extended period, allowing the “whole bio-memory needs to be cooked” in that state, as seen in the life of Ramana Maharshi.
The Path of Shraddha
The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism emphasizes that merely listening to these experiences is beneficial, as it can directly lead to powerful transformations. When one is deeply “possessed by the goal” with Shraddha (faith or intense inner integrity towards a goal), whatever actions they undertake naturally become the path to realizing that goal. Even simple actions, performed with profound Shraddha, can lead to enlightenment, as demonstrated by numerous saints.
By understanding these profound truths and embracing the journey of unclutching, individuals can move towards higher states of consciousness, ultimately achieving and radiating living enlightenment (Jeevan Mukthi) and eternal bliss.
In the profound spiritual discourse, the Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism reveals deep truths about consciousness, the nature of the mind, and the elevated states of Samadhi, drawing from ancient wisdom like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and personal experiences. He distinguishes between two fundamental approaches to understanding: vitarka and kutarka.
The Power of Right Reasoning (Vitarka)
Vitarka, or right reasoning, is presented as a crucial element that contributes positively to society and civilization, even within scientific fields. It is characterized by contemplation, bliss (ananda), and pure awareness (asmita), which are hallmarks of the first level of Samadhi, known as Sampragnata Samadhi. According to the Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism, any logic that ultimately helps one realize the absence of logic is, in itself, right reasoning. Conversely, kutarka, or wrong understanding, prevents contribution in any field and creates a significant gap between an individual and spiritual truths.
Three Core Truths for Inner Liberation
To truly grasp the higher states of consciousness, Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam emphasizes three vital “clicks” or truths:
- Having thoughts is not thinking. Thoughts are likened to guests in an “anna satras” (a free food and lodging facility), arriving and departing without inherent reason. True “thinking” only occurs when one’s pure “am-ness” (pure awareness) engages with and experiences a specific thought, actively picking it up. Realizing this can resolve many inner conflicts and self-created sufferings.
- Mind is not a thing; it is an action. Just as walking is an action that can be stopped by sitting, or talking by being silent, “minding” is also an action that can be ceased by simply relaxing. Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam clarifies that one is personally responsible for the action of thinking. Recognizing the mind as an action rather than an object liberates one from the need to constantly fight with it, leading to profound inner freedom. He describes this as constantly “spinning thread out of cotton” or “words out of existence”.
- The cessation of clutching with thoughts (Asampragnata Samadhi). This is the profound truth described in Patanjali’s 18th Sutra. Asampragnata Samadhi, the second level of Samadhi, occurs when the mental function of clinging to thoughts ceases, and only samskaras (impressions) that do not cause disturbance in the inner space remain. The first experience of this “unclutching” is considered Asampragnata Samadhi itself.
Journeys to Asampragnata Samadhi
The transition from Sampragnata Samadhi to Asampragnata Samadhi involves a deep process of unclutching from mental functions, even those at the highest frequency.
- Ramakrishna’s Experience: Ramakrishna, deeply connected to the deity Kali, lived in a constant state of Sampragnata Samadhi. He would even physically check if she was breathing, demonstrating his profound connection. To move to the next level, the enlightened monk Totapuri initiated him into Vedanta, instructing him to unclutch completely from all thoughts, including the form of Kali. Ramakrishna initially struggled to unclutch from Kali’s form, but she appeared to him, instructing him to “cut my form with this sword” of knowledge. Upon doing so, he disappeared into Asampragnata Samadhi, experiencing the cessation of clutching with any mental function, including his cherished connection to the form of Kali.
- Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam’s Experience: Bhagawan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam recounts his own powerful experience leading to Asampragnata Samadhi at the age of 11. He developed an intense feeling connection with a young sadhu at the Arunachala temple, a bond so strong it transcended normal logic, akin to “falling in love”. This connection evolved through stages of liberation: from living in the sadhu’s frequency (Salokya Mukti), to nearness (Samipya Mukti), to becoming his form (Sarupya Mukti), and finally realizing that his individual existence was an illusion (Sayujya Mukti). The pivotal moment occurred after nine months of this intense connection. One day, his spiritual mother, whom he confided in, revealed that the “cave” from which the sadhu always emerged was a closed stone slab, the Samadhi (tomb) of a 2,000-year-old enlightened master named Arunagiri Yogishwara. This revelation transformed his devotion into “jnanavaristha bhakti” – devotion based on knowledge. Later, when he rushed to the main shrine of the temple, he perceived the sadhu (Arunagiri Yogishwara) sitting in place of the Shiva Linga. The moment he spiritually “touched” Arunagiri Yogishwara, a profound shift occurred: “he was me, I was he”. This moment marked the cessation of the mental activity of clutching with that form, transitioning him from Sampragnatha Samadhi to Asampragnatha Samadhi. After this, he no longer “missed” the form, as he had been elevated to the next level of consciousness.
Beyond Asampragnatha Samadhi: Nirvikalpa Samadhi
While Asampragnata Samadhi involves the cessation of clutching, some samskaras (impressions) that do not disturb the inner space may still remain. The deeper state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi is achieved when even these “seeds” of samskaras are completely burned. This requires residing in Asampragnata Samadhi for an extended period, allowing the “whole bio-memory needs to be cooked” in that state, as seen in the life of Ramana Maharshi.
The Path of Shraddha
The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism emphasizes that merely listening to these experiences is beneficial, as it can directly lead to powerful transformations. When one is deeply “possessed by the goal” with Shraddha (faith or intense inner integrity towards a goal), whatever actions they undertake naturally become the path to realizing that goal. Even simple actions, performed with profound Shraddha, can lead to enlightenment, as demonstrated by numerous saints.
By understanding these profound truths and embracing the journey of unclutching, individuals can move towards higher states of consciousness, ultimately achieving and radiating living enlightenment (Jeevan Mukthi) and eternal bliss.
source: Insights into Samadhi and True Awareness from the Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism
KAILASA's Words of Eternal Bliss, Nithyananda! 