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integration is achieved. In fact, once vijnanamaya kosha is unlocked, the sadhana requires maximum effort and attention on the part of the aspirant, as it is possible to wander endlessly in its realms, so vast is its scope and so fascinating and absorbing its stuff.
As vijnanamaya kosha becomes progressively cleared through the sustained practices, one may get glimpses of anandamaya kosha moments when everything appears luminous. One may be suffused with visions of a luminous Shivalingam or such like. However, this too is a relative experience, for one truly abides in ananda only when the entire mind-stuff has been purged. The aim of the practices at this level is to clean the slate completely. Swami Satyananda once said: "A yoga practitioner may have a developed vijnanamaya kosha, but one who has achieved the result of yoga rests in anandamaya kosha."
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The enlightened yogi is, in fact, able to experience a sixth kosha the atmamaya kosha. This is the state where complete union with the higher Self is lived and one begins to perceive the entire world as an emanation of beauty, contentment, joy and truth. One who abides in atmamaya kosha is recognized as a siddha, a perfected being.
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