Turiya Awastha or Yog Nidra

Turiya, or the fourth state, is where the soul rests in its true nature, Sat-Chit-Ananda Svarupa, the highest Brahmic consciousness, during Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

In this world, we commonly experience three states: Jagrat (waking), Svapna (dreaming), and Sushupti (deep sleep). Turiya is beyond these states and is not easy to reach. In Turiya Awastha, you are connected with Parmatma or Brahma.

What is Satchidanand Swaroop?

Parmatma or Brahma has no form or Swaroop. Brahman is Sat-Chit-Ananda Vigraha, the symbol of existence, knowledge, and happiness. Without beginning or end, Brahman is the cause of all causes, the shelter, support, and the Lord of all.

Unity Amidst Diversity

Languages are many, but the language of the heart and mental imagery is one. Cows have many colors, but the color of milk is one. Prophets are many, but the essence of their teachings is the same. Philosophical schools are many, but the goal is one. Methods of worship and opinions are many, but Brahman or God is one.

Paths to Realizing the Self

There are two paths in Yoga to realize the Self: the Pipeelika Marga and the Vihanga Marga. The Pipeelika Marga, like the slow march of an ant, involves practicing Karma Yoga to purify the heart, followed by Upasana to steady the mind, and finally Jnana Yoga to reach the ultimate goal. The Vihanga Marga, like a bird soaring in the sky, involves directly practicing Jnana Yoga to attain Self-knowledge.

The Cycle of Karma

Man can be compared to a plant: he grows, flourishes, and dies, leaving behind his Karma, the good and bad actions of his life. The physical body dies, but the impressions of his actions remain, necessitating rebirth to experience their consequences. This cycle of Samsara, or existence, has no beginning or end. However, a Jivanmukta, a liberated sage, who rests in Sat-Chit-Ananda Svarupa, is free from Samsara. By gaining Self-knowledge, man can destroy the Samskaras that bind him to the cycle of rebirth and become free.

The Wisdom of the Upanishads

A deep study of the Upanishads, the ancient texts of wisdom from the Rishis of India, is very inspiring and beneficial. Each Mantra is rich with deep, original, and soul-stirring thoughts, bringing comfort, inner strength, peace, and courage. The Upanishads give hope, strength, joy, and serenity to the reader. Vedanta, which comes from the Upanishads, shows the spiritual heights reached by the ancient Rishis. Western scholars and philosophers admire the greatness and originality of the Upanishads.

Embrace Faith, Avoid Disputes

Avoid arguments and intellectual debates. Faith in the existence of the immortal, all-pervading Brahman, the words of your teacher, and the Srutis is essential. Learn the main ideas of Advaita Vedanta from your teacher. Advaita Vedanta acknowledges six Pramanas, with Srutis being the final authority. Srutis contain the inspired revelations and experiences of realized sages. Understanding and knowing the Truth requires simple meditation, not lots of logic and argument. Intellect, a finite tool, is not self-sustained or self-luminous and can be misleading. Only intuition is infallible.

The Path of Renunciation

Aspirants well-prepared and qualified will benefit from the path of renunciation, Nivrittimarga. Many renounce the world with temporary zeal but fail to progress spiritually due to a lack of preparation and qualifications needed for spiritual life.

The Paradox of Stillness

The person who calms the mind and does nothing physically is the most active in the world, while the one who is always busy does nothing of substance. This paradox is understood by few.

Effort and Enlightenment

Just as husk disappears from rice and rust from copper through effort, Ajnana (ignorance) clinging to the soul can disappear through constant Atmic enquiry. Destroy Avidya (ignorance) and rest firm in your Self.

Deep Meditation

Do not mistake lethargy for Savikalpa Samadhi or deep sleep for Nirvikalpa Samadhi. The glory of Turiya or Bhuma is ineffable, its splendor indescribable. If the body is light and the mind clear, you are meditating. If the body is heavy and the mind dull, you were sleeping while meditating.

Knowledge and Immortality

Ignorance and lust lead to death; knowledge leads to the immortal state of the Atman. Life eternal and death coexist in the body. Life is fleeting like a lightning flash, and time is a thunderclap of death. Live in the Atman to attain immortality and go beyond time to attain eternity.

Atma Santusti in Samadhi

Withdraw the senses, meditate, and live in the Self. Your entire being will be uplifted into a state of rapturous delight or mystic ecstasy. You will experience divine joy, wonderful peace, and be submerged in an ocean of bliss. All desires will dissolve, names and forms will vanish, and you will see the Self everywhere. This indescribable state must be felt to be understood, like the inexpressible joy of tasting sugar-candy for a dumb man. Words are inadequate to describe this experience, which is the language of supreme silence and stillness, the peace that surpasses all understanding. This is Turiya, the fourth state.