Mahesh Yogi was a genius, who formulated the
Seven States of Consciousness. He founded the rationale and methodology for
generating higher states of Consciousness.
Dr Keith Wallace, ex President of MIU, defined
Enlightenment as the full development of Consciousness, depending on the
harmonious functions of every part of the human body. He said that India is
the home of the most profound knowledge and procedures for the development of
Physiology.
“What the ancients meant by Supreme Knowledge,
Jnana, was that state of perfect order, zero entropy”, he says in his
article ” The Neurophysiology of Enlightenment”. In his PhD Thesis ” The
Physiological Effects of Transcendental Meditation”, he conclusively proved
the existence of a Fourth Major State of Consciousness.
Here is an abstract of a study posted in the
sessions at the Lucidity Association’s Conference on Higher States of
Consciousness in Chicago in 1990.
Vedic psychology, as presented by Maharishi Mahesh
Yogi, delineates seven major states of consciousness (Maharishi, 1972). The
daily cycle of waking, dreaming, and sleeping constitute the three ordinary
changing states of consciousness. In addition, Maharishi’s Vedic psychology
describes an invariant sequence of higher stages of consciousness. The fourth
state of consciousness, termed transcendental consciousness (TC), is
characterized as a content-free state of “restful alertness”, the ultimate
ground state of the mind, pure consciousness (Maharishi, 1969). In this state
“… awareness becomes completely ’self-referral’ — consciousness has
nothing other than itself in its structure” (Maharishi, 1986, p. 27).
Maharishi describes TC as follows:
This is a state of inner wakefulness with no
object of thought or perception, just pure consciousness [TC], aware of its
own unbounded nature. It is wholeness, aware of itself, [Self-awareness]
devoid of differences, beyond the division of subject and object —
transcendental consciousness (Maharishi, 1977, p. 123).
TC is held to be as distinct from the ordinary
waking state as waking is from dreaming or sleeping. Recent research reviews
have identified over twenty physiological correlates distinguishing TC from
simple relaxation, sleeping, dreaming and waking (See Alexander and Boyer,
1989; Alexander, Cranson, Boyer and Orme-Johnson, 1986; Wallace, 1986; for a
complete review).
He had given millions the experience of
Transcendental Consciousness and his contribution to humanity was immense. His
fame as a New Age Guru spread far and wide with the proximity to the Beatles.
TM helped in triggering the relaxation response and gave relaxation and
enlightenment to millions. " Through the window of Science, we see the
Dawn of the Age Of Enlightenment". His seven States of Consciousness has
its parallel with the Seven Stages of Alchemy - Sanctification,
Purification, Fermentation, Putrefaction, Combustion, Regeneration and At-One-Ment.
The Science of Creative Intelligence, which he founded, deals with 200%
Life, 100% materialism and 100% spirituality and represents the Sacred Balance
!
TM is a different system,
different from Kundalini Yoga, Christian Yoga, Namaste Yoga, yoga exercises,
Kriya Yoga, Raja Yoga, Tantra Yoga etc. It is a Relaxation Technique, if
properly practised can take man to Cosmic Consciousness.
He took Indian Philosophy far and wide and made
Geetha one of the most popular books ever ! May his soul rest in Peace !
In 1975, in Seelisberg, Switzerland, he
founded the World Government for the Age of Enlightenment. "In response
to the call of Time, a global organisation has been structured, the non
political, the non religious World Government, which has the knowledge and
expertise to create an ideal society"
He defined the Geetha as the Lamp lit by the Lord
at the altar of humanity, redeeming Man from Ignorance ! He travelled far and
wide with the message of Vedic Wisdom and was adored by Nobel Laureates and
intellectuals. He was one of the greatest sons of India !