The fourth state of consciousness is also known as Samadhi. The benefits of sahaj samadhi practice are life-changing. People have been discovering inner peace and harmony with this technique for centuries. Every spiritual explorer needs to learn the method.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi uses several names to describe Samadhi. He calls it bliss consciousness, pure transcendental consciousness, or the ground state. This is no mind game. There is scientific evidence to verify this partition of consciousness.
The Fourth State of Consciousness
Eastern tradition talks a lot about higher states of consciousness (1). However, this concept is absent from Western spiritual thought. You won’t find it in the Bible. In the 1960s, several Indian gurus began traveling to the West. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was one of the most prominent teachers. He helps to make meditation accepted in mainstream Western culture.
Maharishi introduced the West to The Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique (2). He taught that meditation could be used independently of religious tradition.
The TM technique is the practice of sahaj samadhi yoga meditation. The TM label helps to make it acceptable to Western culture. Discovering inner peace and harmony was a simple, natural process.
Defining Terms
The fourth state of consciousness, Samadhi, is a Sanskrit term. It is two words: sama, meaning together, and dhi, meaning mind. Its most basic definition means a complete state of consciousness. It is complete because it is a pure state of awareness. When you reach this partition of mindfulness, internal dialogue is absent. One only experiences our original state of awareness.
“In Samadhi, that very deep state of meditation, you are given energy and long-lasting bliss. It carries you higher and higher until your very presence radiates love.” — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sahaj is derived from two Sanskrit words: Saha, which means together, and Ja, which means born. So, then, sahaj samadhi means being born together to complete our original state.
“The highest state of meditation is Samadhi. Here, there is no ego anymore, no doubts, no me, no you. These is no notion of time, no eating, no talking, no walking, no working, and not doing anything at all. It is realizing that the Self is action-less.” — Dharma Mittra
Sahaj also refers to a mental state with the least intrusion of ego. It is a partition of awareness where one enters inner peace and serenity. When we go beyond ego, we reach a state of freedom. This is the place where the soul returns.
Yoga means union, and meditation is a process that changes awareness. When we combine all the terms, we have sahaj samadhi yoga meditation. This means a process of union, bringing us back to our original state of tranquility and harmony.
The Benefits of Sahaj Samadhi Practice
The practice of the fourth state of consciousness produces several unique metabolic characteristics. These are the markers of a new, separate state of awareness.
These markers include increased brainwave coherence. Brain frequency in the theta wave is between 4 to 7 Hz. It increases skin resistance while reducing heart rate and respiration. These are some of the markers which prove it is a separate state of awareness. It differs from the default states of waking, dreaming, and sleeping.
Sahaj samadhi yoga meditation is a powerful technique. It is the doorway to the fourth state of consciousness. Here is where you discover a sense of inner calm and tranquility. Meditating each day brings a profound sense of relaxation and inner peace. This tranquility extends beyond the meditation practice.
One of the main health benefits of sahaj samadhi practice is reducing stress and anxiety. Calming the mind releases tension and negative emotions. This state of meditation provides a sense of emotional well-being and mental clarity.
Additionally, regular practice of this technique improves physical health. Studies show that it lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system. It can even reduce the risk of various chronic diseases.
Beyond the health benefits, sahaj samadhi practice also enhances spiritual growth. and personal development. As the first of the higher states, it connects us with our true inner self. It’s a new perspective that allows for a deeper understanding of yourself and the world.
Restful alertness is one of the most interesting characteristics of this partition. The mind remains alert but without any internal chatter. It silences the internal dialogue, yet the mind is aware. At the same time, the body experiences a profound state of rest. Many sages say the fourth state of consciousness is the first step to higher states.
The Social Benefits of The Maharishi Effect
The practice of sahaj samadhi meditation raises the vibration frequencies of the mind. The positive increase in your consciousness affects those around you. This phenomenon is The Maharishi Effect (3). It is named after Maharishi, who brought the knowledge of this effect to light.
The Maharishi Effect occurs when a group of people are in the fourth state of consciousness. The more people, the greater the positive effect. The more experience people have, the greater the effect. When more people meditate, it translates to lower crime rates. That means there are significant social benefits of sahaj samadhi yoga meditation.
“I think the claim can be plausibly made that the potential impact of this research exceeds that of any other ongoing social or psychological research program. It has survived a broader array of statistical tests than most research in the field of conflict resolution. This work and the theory that informs it deserve the most serious consideration by academics and policymakers alike.” — David Edwards, Ph.D., Professor of Government, the University of Texas at Austin
The Observer, the Real You
The regular practice of the fourth state of consciousness expands awareness. This is one of the long-term benefits of sahaj samadhi practice. You will begin to notice transitions between different states of consciousness. It shows us that transcendental consciousness is the foundation of awareness. Japa or TM is the most direct way to reach this state of pure consciousness.
When you reach the transcendent, you experience your true self, the real you. The serenity of the transcendent is an experience of what religions refer to as spirit or soul. This is one of the immediate spiritual benefits of sahaj samadhi practice.
“It is impossible to know who you are until you enter Samadhi. Samadhi is the actual awareness of what you really are.” — Frederick Lindemann, 1st Viscount Cherwell
“In Samadhi, in the highest form of meditation, the same thing happens: the mind stops functioning… but you are conscious. That is the only difference, but the difference that makes the difference. One is fully alert, luminous. One is there witnessing, watching, but there is no cloud of thought. The sky is utterly empty: as far as you can see you cannot see any content.” — Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Osho
The Process of Discovering Inner Peace and Harmony
The process for achieving this state is called dhyāna, which means a profound state of awareness. You can find this process in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Dhyana is the seventh limb of the Eightfold Path of Yoga in this Hindu system. Other Eastern systems teach similar techniques under a variety of names.
“When our mind works freely without any hindrance and is at liberty to ‘come’ or to go, we attain Samadhi of Prajna or liberation. Such a state is called the function of thoughtlessness. But to refrain from thinking of anything, so that all thoughts are suppressed, is to be Dharma-ridden, and this is an erroneous view.” ― Hui-Neng
The easiest way to reach the fourth state of consciousness is with the Japa meditation process. The more widely known form is Transcendental Meditation (TM). (2) This process uses a Mantra from the ancient Indian Sanskrit tradition.
Sanskrit mantras are based on the energetic properties of sound, not meaning, as with other languages. These sounds are often used together in what we know as Mantras. When you use the correct Mantra, it silences the internal chatter. No wonder they call it bliss consciousness. We enter a deep state of rest while the mind remains alert.
It doesn’t matter which technique you used to reach this state. The path to discovering inner peace and harmony is part of our nature. It’s a spiritual technology everyone should learn. When you practice meditation regularly, you build a platform for other higher states of consciousness.
Combining the 4th state of consciousness with the waking state allows you to enter a higher consciousness state. The sixth state of consciousness is what many teachers call Witnessing.
We want everyone to add the practice of sahaj samadhi yoga to their daily routine and experience the bliss of this partition. Here, too, one can experience what Oneness is all about. Don’t leave home without achieving it. Find a Yoga practice that’s right for you. You’ll be glad you did.
The sixth partition of “witnessing” allows you to experience reality differently. You experience everything from two distinct vantage points: life in your body and a second partition outside the body. People describe it as the astral body floating above the physical body. It is an interesting way to live.
We didn’t skip the 5th state. It’s the Shamanic Journey. Michael Harner calls this state of awareness the Shamanic State of Consciousness (SSC). You reach this altered state using a technique combining creative visualization and sound. This process comes from ancient Shamanic traditions all over the world. In this state, the brainwaves are also in the theta-wave area.
Using the Shamanic Journey also prepares you to transition to the 6th state. It gives you experience controlling an altered state for extended periods.
In Conclusion
There are many benefits of sahaj samadhi practice. Dedicating time each day to the TM or Japa meditation technique can change your life. The fourth state of consciousness is the foundation for other higher states of consciousness. While you are expanding awareness, you are quieting the mind and reducing stress. This tool enhances focus, improves emotional well-being, and deepens your spiritual connection.
If you use the TM or Japa techniques in the practice of sahaj samadhi yoga meditation, let us know. We’d like to hear about your experience. If you have questions about the process or other comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
There are introductory processes that prepare you for this process. If you are new to meditation, try the basic two-step method. It’s the foundation for most forms, including Japa and TM. Make discovering inner peace and harmony a part of your daily routine.
References
(1) Proof of Higher States of Consciousness, The fourth state of consciousness. the Thuriya Avastha. National Library of Medicine
(2) Transcendental Meditation. TM.org
(3) The Maharishi Effect. Maharishi International University