nn 1,2

1.4.8 spir. in practice, 1.5.7 spiritual development

Ba'ba' spoke this morning of the stages of sadhana. He said that in the first stage, mind becomes concentrated. The first stage is the development of concentration.

In the second stage, the seeds of devotion begin to be placed and the mind has some direct experience of Is'vara.

In the third stage, mind is more settled and samadhi occurs. Devotion blossoms in the sadhaka's heart.

In the fourth stage, samadhi is not established, but is of a deeper quality and devotion is established. At this stage, a sadhaka has a sincere desire to realize the Parama Purus'a. Nothing is more important.

In the next phase, a sadhaka becomes established in samadhi. The ability to contact the Purus'a becomes constant. The sadhaka is firmly established in sadhana. No thoughts disturb such a sadhaka. Sadhana freely flows without interruption. The mind is relatively clear. The knowledge of the Supreme Entity comes into the mind, and all manner of siddhis begin to find expression.

In the sixth stage, not only is samadhi established, but the sense of dualism begins to shatter. The small self gets established in the Cosmic Entity. The little I gets lost in the Supreme.

In the seventh stage this Cosmic expression becomes lost in the pure effulgence of Parama Purus'a. Not only does the little "I" no longer propagate itself but the Cosmic Entity no longer expresses Himself. Th Cosmic expression surrenders to the Supreme Purus'a, the undifferentiated awareness, the final resting place of all creation.