Harmony of All Religions

Author(s): Parmahans Maharaj, Veena Rani Howard
Publisher: USA Santmat Society of North America

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Then as we become full, there is no more appetite (Experience). Says Sundar, the contentment is the experience of direct experience.
Through this illustration Sant Sundar Das Ji demonstrates the process of knowledge through the analogy of food. The feeling of contentment at the end of the meal corresponds to the stage of direct experience—a state of contentment.
If we think through this metaphorical example, we notice that the body is nourished and satisfied by eating food, but mere talk of food neither satisfies the appetite nor produces nourishment for the body. The appetite is satisfied from the labor of food preparation along with the gradual process of eating and digestion, and the resulting nourishment of the body and
satisfaction of the mind.
In this same manner, through spiritual discipline, we can make progress toward attaining the experience of true knowledge. The first three stages are stepping stones to the final stage of divine experience. However, it must be kept in mind that the realm of the fourth stage is very extensive and requires a long journey.
As aspirants progress on the inner spiritual journey they experience the celestial scenes. The course of this journey involves contemplation and repeated meditation known as
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