CONSCIOUSNESS: THE SPARK OF LIFE

by Sri Chinmoy

Consciousness is the spark of life that unites each one of us with the universal life.  Without consciousness, everything is a barren desert.  When we enter into a dark place, we take a flashlight to see where we are going.  If we want to know about our unlit life, we have to take the help of consciousness.

Consciousness is like a ladder.  You can go up and down the various rungs.  If you can meditate deeply, each plane of consciousness will present itself before you.  The first rung is the physical body.  The second rung is the vital.  The vital is a term used in Indian philosophy.  It embodies emotional, aggressive, and dynamic qualities.  The third rung is the mind.  Above the mind is the spiritual heart.  It is in the spiritual heart that one feels the “quickening” of the soul.  The soul knows no birth, no decay, no death.  It is eternal.  It is immortal.

Before taking human incarnation, the soul gets an inner message about its divine purpose on earth.  It is fully conscious of its mission.  But during our lifetime, the workings of the physical mind may sometimes cover up the divine inspiration of the soul and its true purpose.  Then the mission of the soul cannot come forward.  Only if we aspire with the mind, heart, and soul can we learn the purpose of our existence here on earth.

My soul is in charge of my
glowing deeds.

My heart is in charge of my
soaring feelings.

My mind is in charge of my
transforming thoughts.

My vital is in charge of my
flowing energy.

My body is in charge of my
striving life.