Views on Visions

[Guest guest]

Dear friends

 

VISIONS

 

During the course of regular spiritual practice, when the mind stuff is

focused on one thought, or an idea or a form of God, some exceptional

visions may come to the consciousness of the sadhaka. Such a state of

mind is known to be in a state of meditation with form: the savikalpa

samadhi. All other modifications of the mind stuff are temporarily

subdued and the person experiences a state wherein he is oblivious to

the external stimuli, happenings, and reality. His mind dwells on one

reality of internal nature, which other person cannot fathom. In this

state, however, the ego persists, and is in a concentrated form. The

mind takes the form of that vision and becomes one with that internal

reality. This is very subtle experience and cannot be labeled as disease

of the mind or psychiatric illness. On the contrary, " It is through

these visions, etc., that the special spiritual experiences have always

been gained. "

 

Visions of Sri Ramakrishna

(1)

" A terrible frenzy seized me at the thought that I might never be

blessed with the divine vision. I thought that if that were so then

enough of this life! A sword was hanging in the sanctuary of Kali. My

eyes seized upon it and thought ran through my brain like a flash of

lightening - 'The sword it will help me put an end to it.' I rushed up

to it and seized it like a madman ... And lo! The whole scene, doors,

windows, the temple itself simply vanished. It seemed as if nothing

existed anymore. Instead I saw the ocean of the spirit, boundless,

dazzling. In whatever direction I turned, great luminous waves were

rising. They bore down upon me with a loud roar, as if to swallow me up

…. I lost all normal consciousness and fell to the ground... How I

passed that day and the next I know not, round me rolled an ocean of

unspeakable joy such as I had never experienced before. "

(2)

Master (Sri Ramakrishna) said: 'God talked to me. It was not merely His

vision. Yes, He talked to me. Under the Banyan-tree I saw Him coming

from the Ganges. Then we laughed so much! By way of playing with me He

cracked my fingers. Then He talked. Yes, He talked to me.'

(3)

" When I sat and meditated, I had, in the beginning, the vision of

particles of light like group of fire-flies, I saw sometimes all

quarters covered with masses of mist-like light, and at other times I

perceived that all things were pervaded by bright waves of light like

molten silver. I saw these things sometimes with my eyes shut and

sometimes with my eyes open. I did not understand what I saw nor did I

know whether it was good or bad to have such visions. "

 

Significance of Visions

 

Visions are short lived experiences of divinity. These visions give one

the confidence of presence of Reality, something different and more

pleasant than the body-mind sense perceptions. Visions are the

milestones on the path of spirituality.

 

Sri Ramakrishna used to say that one should not be satisfied with these

visions, but should try to go beyond them so that still higher

experiences can be possible. Secondly, it is not necessary that everyone

will have the same visions, or everyone will have the frequent visions.

A few persons get one or two visions and then these visions do not come

to him for a pretty long period of time, although the person is

progressing on the path of spirituality. And most importantly, such

visions are not possible unless one undertakes the spiritual practices

sincerely and with a deep yearning.

 

" Visions are not whole religion. Spiritual visions and experiences may

indicate how far the aspirant has gone forward towards the goal, the

goal of attaining non-dual state by transcending the mind and human

consciousness. It is also not true that the person who has had no such

experiences of vision is not spiritual. Spirituality and

miracle-mongering are not the same thing. Trying to work miracles and

making use of the powers bestowed on the path of spirituality makes the

person basically weak.

That which increases renunciation, discrimination, strength of

character, that which enables the person to take side of purity and

truth against all odds, that which frees the person from the bondage of

desires, that is whole realm of spirituality. These are the criteria to

judge whether the person is proceeding on the right path or not. "

 

dr c s shah

 

 

--

====================================

E-magazine on science and spirituality. Visit:

http://members.xoom.com/drcsshah/neovedanta/index.html

http://members.xoom.com/drcsshah/neovedanta/details.html

====================================