Experience / Anubhava - Ramanan

Chapter III
Experience (Anubhava)
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1. What is the light of consciousness?

It is the self-luminous existence-consciousness which reveals to the seer the world of names and forms both inside and outside. The existence of this existence- consciousness can be inferred by the objects illuminated by it. It does not become the object of consciousness.

2. What is knowledge (vijnana)?

It is that tranquil state of existence-consciousness which is experienced by the aspirant and which is like the waveless ocean or the motionless ether.

3. What is bliss?

It is the experience of joy (or peace) in the state of vijnana free of all activities and
similar to deep sleep. This is also called the state of kevala nirvikalpa (remaining
without concepts).

4. What is the state beyond bliss?

It is the state of unceasing peace of mind which is found in the state of absolute
quiescence, jagrat-sushupti (lit. sleep with awareness) which resembles inactive deep sleep. 

In this state, in spite of the activity of the body and the senses, there is no
external awareness, like a child immersed in sleep* (who is not conscious of the food given to him by his mother). 

A yogi who is in this state is inactive even while engaged in activity. This is also called sahaja nirvikalpa samadhi (natural state of absorption in oneself without concepts).

* The acts of sleeping children like eating and drinking are acts only in the eyes of
others and not in their own. They do not therefore really do those acts in spite of their appearing to do them.

~ Spiritual Instruction
of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi