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Michael
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Dillbeck
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received
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1972.
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University Fellow,
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theoretical
Psychology
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coherence,
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Dr.
foundations
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University.
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1976
of Psychology
Maharishi
in
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1973
testing
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of crime
of life
in
society.
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Research
on
Maharishi's
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its predictions
perceptual
reduction
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Transcendental
Abstract
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has described the many narrative accounts contained in the
Vedic literature as case studies in his Vedic Psychology. This article describes the purpose of the Vedic case studies and it analyzes the Bhagavad-Gita as a model case study
from the Vedic literature.
This case study provides knowledge of the full range of
human developmentfrom a state of complete ignorance characterized by mistakes and
suffering to the state of complete enlightenment characterized by unrestricted success
and fulfillment. The case study is expressed in the form of an interaction between Lord
Krishn and the warrior Arjun who is seeking wisdom. The Bhagavad-Gita points out
that all forms of problems and suffering are due to lack of full integration of life, which
in turn is due to individual consciousness not being fully established in the field of pure
consciousness, identified by Maharishi as the unified field of natural law. The importance of both direct experience and intellectual understanding of the field of pure consciousness is emphasized by the Bhagavad-Gita; the experience of pure consciousness
is described as effortless and blissful.
The Bhagavad-Gita describes the experience of
higher states of consciousnessstages of enlightenmentand identifies the quality of
experience of these states. A description of the self-interacting dynamics of consciousness, at the basis of the creative process in nature, is also found in the Bhagavad-Gita.
The Bhagavad-Gita thus contains the essence of Maharishi
Vedic Psychology,
expressed in a form that can be appreciated and applied by people of all walks of life.
Note: This article is the seventh in a series on Maharishi Vedic Psychology. In his Vedic Psychology, Maharishi Mahesh
Yogi brings to light a complete understanding of individual and collective consciousness, its expression in mental processes
and behavior, and its application for the enrichment of all aspects of human life. The foundation of this approach is the experience of the field of pure consciousness, which is the most fundamental level of consciousness, the basis of all mental activity.
As Maharishi explains, this field is the unified source of subjective and objective existence, the unified field of natural law
glimpsed by modern physics, which through its self-interacting dynamics gives rise to all the laws of nature. It is the field of
cosmic intelligence in nature, referred to in Maharishi Vedic Science and Technology as the Ved and in Maharishi Vedic
Psychology as the cosmic psyche. Through the Maharishi Transcendental Meditation technique, one systematically and repeatedly experiences transcendental or pure consciousness; on this basis, as pure consciousness becomes more and more established as the
basis for all thinking and activity, the individual naturally and effortlessly develops higher states of consciousness.
the Maharishi TM-Sidhi program accelerates this development by training the individual to think and act from the level of pure
consciousness. With the complete development of human consciousnessunity consciousnessone becomes fully awake to
the field of pure consciousness interacting within itself at the basis of the whole creative process in nature. The practical benefit of developing higher states of consciousness is that thought and action become spontaneously in accord with natural law,
free from mistakes and suffering, so that one enjoys more and more success and fulfillment in life. The practical application
of Maharishi Vedic Psychology to enrich all aspects of individual and collective life is the topic of subsequent articles on
Maharishi Vedic Psychology.
97
Contents
T h e R o l e o f C a s e Studies i n M a h a r i s h i
V e d i c Psychology
The Bhagavad-Gita
98
102
T h e Story of the B h a g a v a d - G i t a
103
106
T h e T e a c h i n g s of the B h a g a v a d - G i t a
108
109
112
119
Cosmic Consciousness
119
C o s m i c C o n s c i o u s n e s s and Skill in A c t i o n
121
Unity Consciousness
126
127
Conclusion
129
T h e R o l e o f C a s e Studies i n M a h a r i s h i
Vedic Psychology
98
R o l e o f t h e C a s e S t u d i e s i n the V e d i c L i t e r a t u r e
Expressed in
Individual Situations
Figure 1. The case studies of the Vedic literature describe in the form of stories how the field of
pure intelligence, the cosmic psyche, functions in specific situations to resolve problems facing
individual life.
s u p p o r t e d b y the theoretical p r i n c i p l e s f o u n d i n M a h a r i s h i
Maharishi
99
A s Maharishi ( 1 9 8 6 a ) e x p l a i n s , the V e d i c literature, i n w h i c h the V e d i c c a s e s t u d ies are expressed, has its s o u r c e in the s e l f - i n t e r a c t i n g d y n a m i c s of the field of p u r e
c o n s c i o u s n e s s (please refer to Dillbeck, 1988). T h e V e d i c literature is the literature of
c o n s c i o u s n e s s and natural law, expressing all the qualities of consciousness and all the
d y n a m i c s of natural law (Maharishi M a h e s h Y o g i , 1986a). T h e V e d i c case studies h a v e
b e e n articulated by individuals w h o directly c o g n i z e d these d y n a m i c s of natural law in
the h i g h e s t level of c o n s c i o u s n e s s , a n d the c a s e s t u d i e s are therefore e v o l u t i o n a r y ,
inspiring, and life-supporting for e v e r y o n e , no matter w h a t the individual's level of c o n s c i o u s n e s s . Maharishi (1982) has noted that the V e d i c records have a m e a n i n g at every
level of evolution of the individual. T h e s a m e account will therefore be c o m p r e h e n d e d
on increasingly profound levels as o n e g r o w s in c o n s c i o u s n e s s , until one c o m p r e h e n d s
its significance on the level from w h i c h it w a s originally expressed, unity c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h u s , the Vedic case studies provide g u i d e s to life throughout the entire range of
s e v e n states of consciousness outlined by M a h a r i s h i
V e d i c P s y c h o l o g y (please refer
100
e x p l a i n s that the U p a n i s h a d s are that part of the B r a h m a n aspect of the Ved that deals
w i t h the holistic structure of the Self from the angle of the k n o w e r (Rishi). The Puranas
are an aspect of the V e d i c literature w h i c h describes all the m e c h a n i c s of transformation
of the Self from the angle of the process of k n o w i n g ( D e v a t a ) .
In an e x a m p l e of a case study from the Puranas, the total potential of natural law is
e m b o d i e d in the dwarf L o r d V a m a n a i n f i n i t y is expressed in its point value. T h e term
" L o r d " is used b e c a u s e Lord V a m a n a fully e m b o d i e s the field of pure consciousness.
K i n g Bali, w h o has m a s t e r e d all the l a w s of nature t h r o u g h the d e v e l o p m e n t of his
a w a r e n e s s , grants Lord V a m a n a anything he w i s h e s , all the riches of the world. V a m a n a
replies that his needs are few and that he only wishes as m u c h of the k i n g ' s land as he
c a n m e a s u r e with three steps. T h e k i n g ' s advisor w a r n s him that Lord V a m a n a is no
o r d i n a r y individual. T h e king replies that no greater g o o d fortune can befall him than to
fulfill Lord V a m a n a ' s request, w h e r e u p o n he grants V a m a n a his wish.
L o r d V a m a n a then begins to g r o w from point to infinity; he covers all of manifest
e x i s t e n c e in his first step, the unmanifest in his second step, and w h e n he has n o w h e r e
to place his foot for the third step, the king fulfills Lord V a m a n a ' s wish by offering him
his o w n head for his third step, indicating that the king has attained the w h o l e n e s s of
life that is greater than the manifest and unmanifest together. This is fully developed
unity c o n s c i o u s n e s s , or B r a h m a n , w h i c h c o m p r e h e n d s at all times the unity (Samhita)
of k n o w e r (Rishi), process of k n o w i n g ( D e v a t a ) , and k n o w n ( C h h a n d a s ) . (Please refer
to A l e x a n d e r & Boyer, 1989.) T h e extent of K i n g B a l i ' s " l a n d " is the w h o l e n e s s of
e x i s t e n c e on the level of h u m a n c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h e story thus displays for the reader
the goal of c o m p l e t e enlightenment.
A n o t h e r e x a m p l e of a c a s e s t u d y is d r a w n from the U p a n i s h a d s . In this s t o r y ,
Vajasravasa sends his son Nachiketa to gain k n o w l e d g e from Y a m a , w h o governs the
w h o l e continuum of change in nature and thus rules over death. In order to m a k e a m e n d s
for k e e p i n g the y o u n g Nachiketa waiting three days while he w a s absent, Y a m a grants
the boy three wishes. N a c h i k e t a ' s wishes express great w i s d o m , and his final wish is for
k n o w l e d g e of immortality. Y a m a is portrayed as capable of giving the k n o w l e d g e of
i m m o r t a l i t y , since c h a n g e ultimately takes place on the basis of n o n - c h a n g e ; relative
existence has its basis in the absolute field of pure consciousness. T h e full potential of
the relative, the field of change or death, is thus found in the field of pure consciousness,
the field of immortality.
A n o t h e r e x a m p l e of a case study from the Puranas is the story of Lord D h a n w a n t a r i .
In this narrative, the positive and negative forces of nature are represented at each end
of a giant snake that encircles a mountain s u s p e n d e d in the ocean; they are s h o w n both
as b e i n g together and yet t u g g i n g against each other. Their tugging spins the m o u n t a i n
b a c k and forth, and this churns the ocean. After repeated c h u r n i n g of the ocean. Lord
D h a n w a n t a r i e m e r g e d from the ocean, holding a vessel filled with amrit, the elixir of
immortality. In his c o m m e n t a r y on this narrative, Maharishi ( 1 9 8 6 b ) points out that the
o c e a n described in this story is the u n b o u n d e d ocean of c o n s c i o u s n e s s , the field of pure
c o n s c i o u s n e s s . It is a field of perfect s y m m e t r y and balance; the self-interacting d y n a m ics of this field give rise to all the laws of nature that uphold the processes of creation,
evolution, and dissolution in the universe. Enlivening the infinite silence and d y n a m i s m
101
biological a g i n g and p r o -
The Bhagavad-Gita
M a h a r i s h i ( 1 9 8 2 ) explains that the B h a g a v a d - G i t a displays the practical application
of the k n o w l e d g e and e x p e r i e n c e of b r i n g i n g the individual into contact with the field of
c o s m i c intelligence, the unified field of natural law. T h e B h a g a v a d - G i t a describes w h a t
c o u l d be u n d e r s t o o d as a " V e d i c psychological s e s s i o n " of approximately t w o h o u r s ,
w h i c h is sufficient for Lord Krishn to raise Arjun, w h o has sought his guidance, from a
state of suffering to the state of e n l i g h t e n m e n t . Lord Krishn is called " L o r d " b e c a u s e he
is u n d e r s t o o d in the V e d i c tradition to m o s t fully e m b o d y the totality of natural law, the
totality of c o n s c i o u s n e s s .
'The theoretical and practical knowledge of maintaining physiological balance and health is found in the discipline of the
Vedic literature known as Ayur-Ved (one of four aspects of the Upa Ved). This knowledge has been brought to light by
Maharishi in its completenessin relation to consciousnessand is termed Maharishi Ayur-Ved.
102
In the c o u r s e of this session, Lord K r i s h n a ' s dialogue with Arjun unfolds the s y s t e m atic structure of Maharishi
Vedic Psychology,
this article first briefly describes the general story of this work, and c o m m e n t s on the
interaction b e t w e e n its two major characters. T h e remainder of this article describes in
detail the full range of Maharishi
103
104
10.
every individual on earth can succeed in it, and in this way make unnecessary all the petty
complexities and innumerable sufferings in life (pp. 263-264).
After a p p r o x i m a t e l y t w o hours of interaction, Arjun is ready to r e s u m e his role as the
l e a d i n g warrior of his a r m y . Maharishi notes that during this period of time Arjun has
g a i n e d from L o r d K r i s h n the k n o w l e d g e a n d direct e x p e r i e n c e of Yog"union" or
enlightenment.
Arjun learns from Lord Krishn that before enlightenment one is never able to determ i n e all of the rights and w r o n g s of action; and that the key to performing right action
is to establish o n e ' s a w a r e n e s s in the field of pure consciousness, in the state of y o g or
u n i o n , and then act. (Please refer to the following article in this series on Maharishi
V e d i c P s y c h o l o g y for a detailed discussion of this principle.) Only action from the level
of the unified field of natural law is c a p a b l e of creating the most evolutionary effect for
the actor and the w h o l e e n v i r o n m e n t .
T h e Interaction B e t w e e n L o r d K r i s h n a n d A r j u n
As analyzed by M a h a r i s h i , the interaction b e t w e e n L o r d Krishn and Arjun, and L o r d
K r i s h n a ' s m e t h o d of c o u n s e l i n g Arjun, illustrate three important characteristics of L o r d
K r i s h n a ' s skill in b r i n g i n g Arjun directly to e n l i g h t e n m e n t . T h e s e points in this case
study illustrate profound and practical principles of Maharishi
Vedic Psychology.
106
107
A f t e r a n u m b e r of v e r s e s in L o r d K r i s h n a ' s r e s p o n s e to Arjun, M a h a r i s h i ( 1 9 6 7 )
comments:
Intellectual understanding of Reality convinces a man of the existence of a nobler and more
permanent field of life that lies beyond and underlies the ordinary level of phenomenal
existence. That has been the purpose of the discourse up to this point. Now Lord Krishn
wishes to introduce Arjun to the practice whereby his intellect will become established in
Reality. This is to give him that positive experience of the truth of existence which will
bring him to a state where he is unaffected by the binding influence of a c t i o n . . . . just as a
contented business man, having achieved great wealth, is not affected by small losses or
gains. (pp. 116-117)
L o r d K r i s h n a ' s teaching e m p h a s i z e s that enlightenment is a matter of direct e x p e r i e n c e rather than just an intellectual attitude towards life. T h i s point is also evident from
the fact that Lord Krishn tells Arjun that the thought and behavior of the enlightened
p e r s o n are c o m p l e t e l y natural and s p o n t a n e o u s l y right. Yet at the s a m e t i m e , L o r d
K r i s h n a ' s detailed explanations indicate that intellectual u n d e r s t a n d i n g is also necessary
to c o m p l e t e the e x p e r i e n c e of e n l i g h t e n m e n t .
L o r d K r i s h n a ' s display of the p o w e r of V e d i c P s y c h o l o g y to lead the individual to
the full d e v e l o p m e n t of c o n s c i o u s n e s s is so effective, Maharishi o b s e r v e s , that at the
end of this session of t w o hours, Arjun declares, Smritir labdha, "I have regained m e m o r y . " Maharishi (1980) notes that the w o r d " m e m o r y " (smriti) refers to the lively c o n nection with the totality of natural law: " W h e n the totality of natural law does not d i s a p p e a r from m e m o r y t h e n the i n d i v i d u a l i s e s t a b l i s h e d i n e n l i g h t e n m e n t " ( p . 16). A s
p o i n t e d out in a p r e v i o u s article in this s e r i e s ( D i l l b e c k , 1 9 8 8 ) , M a h a r i s h i
Vedic
P s y c h o l o g y states that the unified field of natural law, the Self of each individual, is
a l w a y s c o n n e c t e d with each of its expressions through a lively self-referral relationship.
(In his c o m m e n t a r y , Maharishi distinguishes b e t w e e n individual a w a r e n e s s t h e self
and the field of pure u n b o u n d e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h e universal Self.) T h u s , the c o m p l e t e
a w a k e n i n g of the i n d i v i d u a l ' s a w a r e n e s s to the unified field of natural law c a n be
u n d e r s t o o d as regaining the m e m o r y of its unified source and of the d y n a m i c s of transformation t h r o u g h w h i c h the field of pure c o n s c i o u s n e s s expresses itself
108
be e x a m i n e d in t e r m s of the t h e m e s of the nature of suffering, the experience of transcendental c o n s c i o u s n e s s , and the d e v e l o p m e n t of e n l i g h t e n m e n t . T h e essence of L o r d
K r i s h n a ' s m e s s a g e to Arjun, as elaborated by Maharishi, is that suffering results from
lack of p e r m a n e n t inner fulfillment, w h i c h in turn leads to u n d u e attachment to (or identification w i t h ) the diverse and c h a n g i n g aspects of life. Lord Krishn states that there is
a transcendental field of life w h i c h is unified, n o n - c h a n g i n g , and the source of inner
c o n t e n t m e n t , a n d that this field c a n b e e x p e r i e n c e d a s o n e ' s o w n c o n s c i o u s n e s s o r
"Self." W h e n this e x p e r i e n c e of the Self as n o n - c h a n g i n g b e c o m e s p e r m a n e n t , L o r d
K r i s h n s a y s , o n e b e g i n s to live a state of e n l i g h t e n m e n t , in w h i c h the p r o b l e m s and
c h a n g i n g situations of life do not result in suffering. O n e rises to the unrestricted bliss
of a unified state of life in the midst of all diversity and c h a n g e .
T h e B h a g a v a d - G i t a o n the C a u s e a n d R e m o v a l o f Suffering
M a h a r i s h i ( 1 9 6 7 , p. 50) points out that the B h a g a v a d - G i t a addresses the question of
suffering in a w a y that is intended to apply to all forms of suffering and p r o b l e m s . It
a c c o m p l i s h e s this by presenting suffering in a most noble man, caused by a m o s t difficult situation. Arjun is not only one of the greatest warriors of his time, but is also a m a n
of personal integrity w h o has a clear m i n d and a full heart. He had c o m m i t t e d himself to
battle b e c a u s e he saw the need to prevent further oppression of his brothers and their
p e o p l e . Yet, at the s a m e time, he feels such c o m p a s s i o n for his k i n s m e n in the o p p o s i n g
a r m y that he questions w h e t h e r any g o o d could c o m e from the i m p e n d i n g destruction. In
spite of the w r o n g - d o i n g of his cousin D u r y o d h a n and others, he feels he could not enjoy
a k i n g d o m g a i n e d at the price of such conflict. As a result, he is unable to act at all.
A r j u n a ' s suffering is b r o u g h t on by an apparent conflict b e t w e e n his honorable qualities, his great sense of duty a n d his c o m p a s s i o n . Maharishi notes that by portraying this
particular d i l e m m a in such a highly d e v e l o p e d m a n , the B h a g a v a d - G i t a a d d r e s s e s its
s o l u t i o n to all f o r m s of suffering, e v e n in the " m o s t n o b l e , sinless and m o s t highly
d e v e l o p e d in both heart and m i n d " (Maharishi M a h e s h Yogi, 1967, p p . 5 1 - 5 2 ) .
Arjun, w a n t i n g only to do w h a t is g o o d , suffers b e c a u s e there is a conflict b e t w e e n
d u t y to society and love of family. In M a h a r i s h i ' s c o m m e n t a r y , the cause of suffering
w h i c h e m e r g e s from this e x a m i n a t i o n of A r j u n a ' s situation is A r j u n a ' s inability to integ r a t e the c o n f l i c t i n g d e m a n d s w h i c h arise from the diversity of life. T h e s o u r c e of
A r j u n a ' s d i l e m m a , in M a h a r i s h i ' s analysis ( 1 9 6 7 , p p . 7 6 - 7 7 ) , is the conflict b e t w e e n
the dictates of A r j u n a ' s m i n d (the v a l u e of duty) and heart (the value of c o m p a s s i o n ) .
Arjun is naturally attached not only to his brothers and their cause but to his relatives in
the o p p o s i n g a r m y . As a result he feels divided in himself and in this lack of integration
he is unable to act. M a h a r i s h i states:
Within man there is mind and there is heart. These, by their very existence as two, hold the
possibility of suffering. When they are united, when there is harmony between a heart and
mind full of righteousness and noble inspiration, suffering cannot arise. But when there is a
lack of coordination or a conflict between them, suffering automatically results. (p. 50)
109
The solution lies in the infusion into the field of duality of a non-dual element which
blesses man's life with a status unaffected by suffering, even while he remains in the field
where suffering is possible. (p. 52)
L o r d K r i s h n r e s p o n d s t o this situation b y g i v i n g Arjun the k n o w l e d g e a n d e x p e r i e n c e
of t h e field of p u r e intelligence w h i c h i n t e g r a t e s all the manifest diversity of life. T h i s
field, d e s c r i b e d by L o r d K r i s h n as the field of B e i n g , is identified by M a h a r i s h i
Vedic
Vedic
P s y c h o l o g y a n d the p r i n c i p l e s of m o d e r n s c i e n c e ( A l e x a n d e r & B o y e r , 1 9 8 9 ) . In t h e
B h a g a v a d - G i t a , L o r d K r i s h n e l a b o r a t e s this s a m e t h e m e i n t e r m s w h i c h are c o n c r e t e l y
p s y c h o l o g i c a l in n a t u r e , c o n c e r n e d w i t h the p r o c e s s of e x p e r i e n c e .
L o r d K r i s h n states that suffering arises from the lack of the stable inner e x p e r i e n c e
of fulfillment, w h i c h results in u n d u e a t t a c h m e n t to u n s t a b l e external s o u r c e s of satis
faction. H e states:
110
Vedic
111
112
He is declared to be unmanifest,
unthinkable, unchangeable; therefore
knowing him as such you should not
grieve.
(II. 25)
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d f H I d H f f u i W r f a ^ T ^ f ^^^^
ll^oll
1111
113
V e d i c S c i e n c e , S a n k h y a i s o n e section o f the U p a n g a s p e c t o f t h e
114
115
machinery that creates desiresenses, mind, and intellectso that even while remaining
in the field of desire, it remains free from the impact of d e s i r e . . . .
Having thus far explained that the loss of wisdom is due mainly to the mind's incessant
engagement in the field of activity, to desire, the Lord now begins to describe a way
whereby the subjective aspect of one's life, which is responsible for all desire and activity,
can be influenced in such a manner that, on the one hand, it does not permit desires to over
shadow Being and, on the other, it brings fulfillment to t h e m . . . . (pp. 239-241)
Lord Krishn continues:
116
117
TM-
Vedic Psychology.
118
T h e B h a g a v a d - G i t a o n the D e v e l o p m e n t o f E n l i g h t e n m e n t
T h e B h a g a v a d - G i t a describes each of the three stable states of enlightenment identified b y M a h a r i s h i
V e d i c P s y c h o l o g y as c o s m i c
consciousness.
L o r d Krishn describes the p e r m a n e n c e of the Self characteristic of the first state of
e n l i g h t e n m e n t as follows:
119
11*'| M | :
Mfu^d ^-
120
The question may then be asked: What is responsible for initiating action in such a
man?
The answer is the almighty power of Nature, which is the cause of the vast and inces
sant activity of creation and evolution throughout the cosmos.
Being forms the basis of nature. When the mind comes into full unison with Being, it
gains the very status of Being and thus itself becomes the basis of all activity in nature.
Natural laws begin to support the impulses of such a mind: it becomes as if one with all the
laws of nature. The desire of such a mind is then the need of nature, or, to put it in another
way, the needs of nature are the motive of such activity. The Self has nothing to do with
"desire and the incentive thereof." This is how it becomes possible for "every undertaking"
to be naturally "free from desire and the incentive thereof." (pp. 281-286)
A s M a h a r i s h i c o m m e n t s , L o r d K r i s h n e m p h a s i z e s that e a c h state o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s
h a s its o w n integrity, and that c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s , in w h i c h the Self is p e r m a n e n t l y
m a i n t a i n e d w i t h d y n a m i c activity, is a h i g h e r state of c o n s c i o u s n e s s , d e s c r i b e d as a state
of w i s d o m .
C o s m i c C o n s c i o u s n e s s a n d Skill i n A c t i o n
M a h a r i s h i p o i n t s o u t that L o r d K r i s h n e x p l a i n s t o Arjun c o n c r e t e l y and practically
that the state of c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s is a higher state of c o n s c i o u s n e s s b e c a u s e it leads
to ideal b e h a v i o r . He states that " Y o g is skill in a c t i o n " ( I I . 5 0 ) a n d d e s c r i b e s t w o cen
tral q u a l i t i e s , b a l a n c e a n d f r e e d o m , that result from e s t a b l i s h i n g the m i n d in the field of
p u r e c o n s c i o u s n e s s , the unified field o f n a t u r a l law. T h e s e t w o qualities c h a r a c t e r i z e
" s k i l l in a c t i o n " in the state of c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s (please refer to F i g u r e 2 ) .
T h e first quality, b a l a n c e , is d e s c r i b e d by L o r d K r i s h n as an attribute of the state of
established Being:
Vedic Psychology.
M a h a r i s h i ( 1 9 8 5 b , 1 9 8 6 a ) h a s c o m m e n t e d that b a l a n c e is i n h e r e n t in t h e field of p u r e
c o n s c i o u s n e s s , or Being, because it is the completely balanced or unified state
( S a m h i t a ) o f k n o w e r ( R i s h i ) , p r o c e s s o f k n o w i n g ( D e v a t a ) , and k n o w n ( C h h a n d a s ) . ( F o r
f u r t h e r d i s c u s s i o n o f t h i s self-referral t h r e e - i n - o n e s t r u c t u r e o f p u r e c o n s c i o u s n e s s ,
p l e a s e refer to D i l l b e c k , 1989.)
L o r d K r i s h n g o e s on to d e s c r i b e h o w t h e quality of b a l a n c e is b a s i c to skill in a c t i o n .
121
T h e D e v e l o p m e n t of Skill in A c t i o n in C o s m i c C o n s c i o u s n e s s
as Described by the Bhagavad-Gita
122
The s a g e . . .
from whom desire, fear, and anger have
departed, is indeed forever free.
(V. 28)
T h u s , M a h a r i s h i explains, in c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s o n e e x p e r i e n c e s an inner fulfillm e n t i n d e p e n d e n t of external situations, and this is described as a quality of p e r m a n e n t
inner freedom irrespective of the b o u n d a r i e s of any specific situation in w h i c h o n e acts,
no matter h o w d e m a n d i n g the situation.
M a h a r i s h i t e a c h e s that a critical part of the " f r e e d o m " of the person in c o s m i c cons c i o u s n e s s is that in this state all actions are s p o n t a n e o u s l y right for the n e e d of the
t i m e . B e c a u s e in c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s the a w a r e n e s s is established in the unified field
of natural law, all thought and action are in tune with the total potential of natural law
123
a n d h a v e o n l y a positive effect for the e n v i r o n m e n t . T h i s s p o n t a n e o u s right action a s s o ciated w i t h freedom in c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s is further elaborated by Lord Krishn as an
aspect of "skill in action."
124
terizes this state as o n e in w h i c h inner b a l a n c e and freedom are maintained amidst the
diversity of d e m a n d s of daily life, resulting in behavior w h i c h is spontaneously a p p r o priate for the need of the time. B a l a n c e a n d freedom result from the natural state of life
in c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s , in w h i c h inner bliss is the p e r m a n e n t inner w e l l s p r i n g of
affective life, and in w h i c h , on the c o g n i t i v e level, one is established in the u n b o u n d e d
c o m p r e h e n s i o n of the field of pure c o n s c i o u s n e s s , the unified field of natural law, so
that all activity is spontaneously right. T a b l e 1 indicates s o m e of the results of scientific
research on the Maharishi Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs demonstrating
the g r o w t h of the characteristics associated with balance and freedom in the lives of indiv i d u a l s d e v e l o p i n g towards c o s m i c c o n s c i o u s n e s s .
TABLE 1
R E S U L T S O F S C I E N T I F I C R E S E A R C H INDICATING I N C R E A S E D
BALANCE AND F R E E D O M W I T H T H E D E V E L O P M E N T
T O W A R D S C O S M I C CONSCIOUSNESS
Balance
Freedom
2. Orme-Johnson, 1973
3. Dillbeck, 1982
5. Kember, 1985
7. Orme-Johnson, 1987
125
Unity Consciousness
T h e state o f c o m p l e t e e n l i g h t e n m e n t i d e n t i f i e d b y M a h a r i s h i
Vedic Psychology
as u n i t y c o n s c i o u s n e s s is a l s o d e s c r i b e d in t h e B h a g a v a d - G i t a . ( P l e a s e refer to a previ
o u s a r t i c l e i n t h i s series o n M a h a r i s h i
V e d i c P s y c h o l o g y as
126
Vedic
T h e B h a g a v a d - G i t a o n the
Self-Interacting D y n a m i c s o f C o n s c i o u s n e s s
M a h a r i s h i has p o i n t e d out that the B h a g a v a d - G i t a , as a c o m p l e t e case study of his
V e d i c P s y c h o l o g y , contains within it the full range of k n o w l e d g e of his V e d i c S c i e n c e
a n d T e c h n o l o g y . T h i s includes a description of the self-interacting d y n a m i c s of cons c i o u s n e s s , the S a m h i t a (unified state or w h o l e n e s s ) of the V e d lively within the selfreferral state of p u r e c o n s c i o u s n e s s . As n o t e d in a p r e v i o u s article in this series on
Maharishi
127
128
Vedic
V e d i c S c i e n c e h i s T r a n s c e n d e n t a l Meditation and T M -
Conclusion
T h e B h a g a v a d - G i t a is a c o m p l e t e a n d powerful c a s e s t u d y of M a h a r i s h i
Vedic
129
Table 2. The knowledge of the self-interacting dynamics of consciousness, expressed by the Richo Akshare verse
of Rik Ved and elaborated in the whole Vedic literature, is found in a concentrated form in the Bhagavad-Gita.
130
131
As a specific case study, the B h a g a v a d - G i t a illustrates h o w the V e d i c literature c o n tains all aspects of Maharishi
V e d i c P s y c h o l o g y . T h e ability of Maharishi
Vedic Psychology
to identify individual a w a r e n e s s with the totality of natural law in the field of pure c o n s c i o u s n e s s is said by Maharishi to b e s t o w on the individual the c o m p l e t e o r g a n i z i n g
p o w e r of natural law for the fulfillment of his or her o w n desires and for the benefit of
all others. It is the remarkable fortune of this time in history that Maharishi has m a d e
the V e d i c w i s d o m available to all in a s y s t e m a t i c and accessible form, capable of b o t h
scientific evaluation and personal confirmation by each individual. This is the basis of
t h e e n l i g h t e n m e n t o f i n d i v i d u a l a n d c o l l e c t i v e life s o t h a t t h e w o r l d e n j o y s , i n
M a h a r i s h i ' s words, H e a v e n on Earth.
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