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(ii) Praśasta Dhyāna : Sukla-Dhyāna
Dharma-dhyāna which has so far been expounded prepares a suitable ground and atmosphere for ascending the loftiest spiritual heights. It claims to have swept away every iota of inauspicious dispositions from the mind of the aspirant. The Yogi has achieved self-mastery to the full, and has developed a unique taste for the accomplishment of that something which is unique. The Yogī, having brushed aside the unsteadiness of his mind now resorts to Sukla Dhyāna (Pure Dhyāna). Not all Yogīs are capable of performing this type of Dhyāna. Only those who are possessing bodies of the best order can have all the four types of Sukla-dhyāna.87 The four types88 of Sukla-dhyāna are 1) Pșthaktva-vitarka-vicāra, 2) Ekatva-vitarka-avicāra, 3). Sūkşmakriyāpratipāti, and 4) Vyuparatakriyānivarti.
The first type (Pșthaktva-vitarka-vicāra) is associated with Pșthaktva, Vitąrka and Vicāra, i.e. with manyness, scriptural knowledge, and transition from one aspect of entity to another, for example, substance to modifications and vice versa, from one verbal symbol to another, and from one kind of Yoga (activity) to another. 89
In the second type (Ekatva-vitarka-avicāra) Vicāra is absent, consequently oneness displace manyness. The mind shortens its field of concentration to the effect that the Yogi meditates upon one substance, an atom, or a modification of substance with the assistance of one kind of Yoga.90 Hence the second type of Dhyāna is associated with Vitarka and Ekatva, i.e. with scriptural knowledge and oneness. In consequence, the Yogi experiences infinite intuition, knowledge, bliss, and energy. Thus the state of Jīvanamukti is attained.
Spiritual Awakening (Samyagdarśana) and Other Essays
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