Paravastha in kriya yoga, bahirav tantra, the state and an interesting conversation.

Interesting topics:

Anandmaya kosha and paravastha have always fascinated me.

I have experienced paravastha or a little bit of it during kriya yoga practice.

I was wondering if there are other ways to reach the state and keep the state in day to day life, not just while doing kriya yoga.

It's the recent set of experiences that prompted me to explore further and ultimately write this Blog

Paravastha experience:

Went for a few moments in paravastha again today morning, while lying down.

Today was the one of the few paravastha experiences over last few months.

This is a deep meditative state, a direct result of relaxation. Hence lying down. All paravastha experiences have not happened when sitting in meditation, but lying down, relaxed, in between states of waking and sleep.

The paravastha process:

Paravastha is the state after kriya pranayama. One is thoughtless, sensation less, emotionless, absolutely still, and with slow breathing.

Recreating the process:

Based on my experience, I have documented the process, which is different from kriya yoga.

Alakh niranjan:

This step is of alakh niranjan of natha sampradaya. here you move the pranic energy upwards from the heart to the crown with inhale... And move it down from crown to heart in exhale. This logic here seems to be that for an advanced yogi, the energy is not in the lower 3 chakras, it is already in anahata. Hence we start from anahata.

My experience is that chanting om in khechari mudra and changing the frequency of om sound, making it higher and higher and feeling it reverberating from heart chakra to crown chakra and back enhances the energy flow!

Do this a few times.

Then do this: In this process, you inhale from ajna to crown and exhale from crown to ajna. This is like the energy movement of kriya yoga and alakh niranjan. But instead of multiple chakras, do it only for one. And then take the point far above the crown chakra. Be aware of the anahata naada at this time.

While doing this, recall the most happy memory like those of deep spiritual moments, intimate moments or songs and dance. It all depends on your personality. Something that you really enjoy and are happy about. This takes the mind into a blissful state.

One of the techniques to fall asleep instantly is also based on recalling a happy memory. Sleep is a state of relaxation. Here the objective is to relax and stay alert. Not to relax and sleep. Awareness of anahata naada and khechari mudra play a key role in keeping the awareness.

Examples of moments that gave you extreme happiness. These are of 2 types. Material experiences like:

1. Kids being born.

2. Time spent with loved ones.

3. Intimate moments.

4. A Great achievement.

and Spiritual experiences like ( I have given a list of my experiences below)

Kumbh snan 2025

Shivratri at mankameshwar 2025

Kriya at chinmaya aashram Powai 2025

Amarnath darshan 2024

Glacier in Alaska 2024

Meditation inside ganga with sudarshan 2024. 

Paravastha during kriya yoga 2024

Meher Baba Ashram Dharshan 2024

Dyneshwar samadhi Dharshan Many times, last in 2024

Bhimashankar mahadev 2024

Maha rudra at kashi 2023.

Bath at katyayani utsav at Amravati in 1992

Making a list of happy moments, and rating them 1 to 10 and identifying that one which gives the highest level of happiness will help. You need only one memory for this activity.

For me the most amazing spiritual experience is the Amarnath Yatra. The cold, the air, the freezing water on the steps, as the lingam melts, the long ride in the mountains, the drizzle, the amazing views, all added to an expreince of a lifetime. The glacier in alaksa comes a close second.

You need the event to recall the emotion of happiness. Then when the emotion is set, leave the memory. The memory/ chitta is disconnected and Manas remains. As chitta is closely associated with identity/ahamkara, identity also is gone now. There is nothing to think of when you are in the moment, so the intellect has no role to play as there is no decision to be taken. Only the Manas remains, in the present moment, in the feeling of happiness. This is itself being into the anandmaya kosha.

This is the transition step from vigyanmaya kosha to anandmaya kosha. Hence the ajna and crown movement, which symbolises the movement from the domain of knowledge to being blissful, a movement upwards.

As you inhale, each time make the emotion become stronger and stronger with the memory. When you exhale, leave the memory out. What will remain is only the emotion.

Move your gaze to the fontanelle region. And keep it there.

As the blissful mind meets the high state in fontanelle, paravastha is easily achieved.

In this state, there is only bliss. There are no thoughts. No memories, no mind. It's the pure soul, enjoying itself in its own company. That's all.

Paravastha is also the state between waking and dreaming or dreaming and deep sleep. Only difference is that you are consciously doing it, rather than letting it happen on its own.

As you slip into paravastha. The bliss here is more than any other pleasure the mind has ever experienced.

It is an amazing experience. Very blissful. The state stayed for a few seconds... Then silence.

Once you get out of the state, practise the steps again and again and again, until you feel completely fulfilled and satisfied.

I did not realise how an hour had passed.

Everytime you may not get the same level of bliss. It may be different. Keep experiencing and keep experimenting.

Paravastha in the sleep transition stage:

I recalled hearing from my mentor, Ambrishji, that Einstein held a object in hand and had a metal plate below it. and used to do the steps given below. Key is to be In half sleep state, without falling asleep.

To ensure this, hold an object in your hand and half sleep state, if you fall asleep , the object will fall, creating a sound means you have fallen asleep, wakeup and start the process again. This is something i have to try.

This is in the transition state where the different state of bliss is experienced. My yoga guru yogesh has also confirmed this. He is a master of yoga nidra, where you go in a half asleep state.

Deep sleep is samadhi state, which can be also achieved. here even the blissful feeling is not there, as there is no self to feel anything here.

Benefits of paravastha:

Result of being in paravastha is the mind is very very fresh, active and alert after experiencing paravastha.

Once you taste the happiness of paravastha, then the worldly objects and subjects and their pleasures will not tempt you, Just as you no longer play with the toys you played with when you were a kid! you have something better now.

In fact when you have shining diamonds of inner bliss within your reach at any times, why will you seek black rocks of worldly pleasures? You will not!

Try this and you will get out of any attraction in the material world, as no material object or feeling related to a material object will ever get you in paravastha.

Needless to stay, addictions to substances like tea, coffee, alchohol, spicy food, loud music, flashy clothes, desire to look beautiful, will slowly fade away. You will do what is needed for the role. Thats all.

Extending the state

The goal is now to extend the paravastha state slowly and be in paravastha like state at all times. This is similar to the kriya state.

The goal is to do nothing and still be in the state!

1. In anahata naada constant sound for ears

2. Raising eyebrows and Seeing constant inner jyoti sight

3. Tounge in khechari for no taste

4. Conscious breathing with awareness for no Smell.

5. Divine vibration in fontanelle for Touch.

Engage all five senses, giving no input to the mind, hence no process, hence thoughtless, hence blissful state.

Always being in a blissful state... This too shall happen, when it happens!

Paravastha and concentration:

Witnessing is being inclusive of everything. Unlike concentration, which is exclusive.

This is a deep insight...

Inclusion is watching everything that comes in life. A sound, someone talking etc, while you watch the breath!

Concentration is focusing and shutting down everything, which takes effort.

And meditation is effortless!

When you engage all senses into observation and relax, you are not concentrating on anything. No wonder paravastha follows the kriya pranayama, (which is energized box breathing!)

Paravastha and breathing

Memories are linked to ego. Ego is linked to a changing state. In a constant state, there is no ego. Hence in a kumbhak, there is no ego, hence no memory bubbles, hence no thoughts!

Being in paravastha without effort:

The attempt of being in paravastha itself is a issue.

Any ritual stops you from being constantly in paravastha:

People think that taking sanyas is the solution to solve the problem of material world issues. taking sanyas is a binding too. You are expected to follow the the path of a sanyasi when you are a sanyasi. Dress in a particular way, follow a certain routine and so on.

All religions and sects are also a binding.

However it's binding is better than the binding with the material world. But it's still a binding.

All processes are meant to be stepping stones in the path. For example we don't recite abcd everyday. It's not needed. Similarly rituals like chanting with mala of beads, is not needed, when one advances to ajapajapa.

The aim is to be in a state of paravastha naturally, without doing anything. to reach here, obviously a path must be followed, till you reach a point where you realize that just by doing nothing you have reached the state!

The usual journey is from tamas, rajas then satvik and then finally leaving satva itself!

This is a very subtle insight, only for the one who is free from bias and attachment even to doing good.

Loka kalyanam actions:

Doing good is usually seen from a lens of positive actions. However, ravana was killed by Lord Rama for his liberation. So instead of doing what is perceived as good, in general , do what is needed for the role! Like Lord Rama did. To the world it looked like killing Ravana. But for Ravana, it was liberation. This is true loka kalyanam. The second propose of life, the first one being jeevan mukti.

Bhairav tantra and paravastha:

The true meditation happens when there is nothing to do. Only relaxation. Rest are all methods.

Once you reach a destination, you don't need a method. But to reach, you can use any of the 112 methods of bhairav tantra!

Here is a list that is categorised by type.

https://yogitonics.com/shivas-112-ways-to-attain-enlightenment/

What is common in all the methods that you are essentially a witness, moving your attention as directed in the sutras. There is minimum action.

The one i read today, is a tool for manifestation, which i have experienced. Being a potent tool, a restrained mind is a must. A mind tuned to sarva loka kalyanam, i have discovered, will rarely misuse this technique.

In this link, scroll up to the top to start reading.

https://www.meditationiseasy.com/meditation-techniques/fifth-technique/#google_vignette

The focus on the third eye or being kutastha is similar to the teachings in kriya yoga. The focus on the fontanelle is also covered in kriya yoga.

There are 112 methods, each fascinating, in it's own way. Kriya yoga encapsulates some of them, beautifully in a sequence, the game changer being the blessings of the masters, residing in your chakras in the energy form, blessing you during and after the practice.

Paravastha in painting mandala art:

Here is a conversation with my friend P and me (D). As given below, from our chats.

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P shared a couple of Mandal art drawings on WhatsApp and this image that she recently created. And this conversation followed.

D: This is a profound realisation... Thank you so much for sharing... This is what sakshi bhav or a witness is. Observing, enjoying, participating in everything, in life, death and beyond!!

P: It’s an illusion that we are the thinkers and doers. If we can just observe from a distance and yet fully participate, then we are truly one with Consciousness (the first and ultimate creator and observer) itself

D: I recently experienced a few seconds of paravastha multiple times in the last few months. It is wonderful... Blissful, beyond being thoughtless.

P: If only we can put in the effort to try and make it a constant state

And if not constant, then atleast more often than not. Then we may have more of the peace we’re all yearning for

D: I am writing a blog on this as we exchange messages. (This one)

A method which i discovered, open to change,

Till reaching a point of being without doing anything.

Just a state. No process needed.

Just like anahata naada, this too shall become a state soon.

Blissful. That's all. No judgements. No bias. Observing, acting without attachment.. Living in the moment. Ready to let go anytime.

P: For us humans first step is to do that with our “feelings” and “thoughts”. Not to label them, not to judge them. Just look at them. They want to come, and go. Our labelling and obsessing makes them stuck. If we just observe, we’ll not suffer them, they’ll come, they’ll go

D:That's being free of maya, the illusion of being sad and happy

D: Abundance of being

Awareness of doing

Acceptance of having

P: Sad is just a word. Happy is just a word. What’s more important is the feeling, the experience. And allowing it to come and go. Not controlling it or craving it or obsessing over it

P: How that profound moment began..

(Honest confession: I had seen Mandala art several times before and never knew what the “fuss” was about. I knew there had to be something wonderful to it, but I trusted I’d discover it in my own time)

When I began painting these two Mandala arts in particular, I would choose the colours and style I wanted to use in each artwork. And yet, the colours that wanted to be on it, would find their way. The stroke and style that wanted to be on it, would find a way. I would think no, this is how it would look better. And yet, It would find its way to be on the sheet. Through me. Not from me. Not at me. Through me. And.. no doubt.. it would be more beautiful than I had planned or envisioned.

And then it dawned on me. It, is painting itself.

Something bigger than me and beyond me, has already chosen how it wants to express itself on this sheet of paper wherein a divine artform has been drawn. I was merely a channel, putting the colours and strokes that It has already Willed.

Almost immediately, I went into a deep meditative state with my eyes open but everything blurring around me except the space between me and the next object. And I saw it. It was everywhere. Flowing through and between all things.

Pure Consciousness is the first, the foremost, all encompassing. We’re all but pawns through which it is expressing and experiencing its own creations.

P: It happened very organically, without any chants in the background or any prescribed process/steps.. I suppose each devotee has their own unique experience of it, in their own time/lifetime. May even be safe to say that it probably occurs when one is least expecting it..

D: Initially it's the process.

Then it becomes spontaneous!

On its own. In the being, than in the doing!

P: Sure, I understand.

Funnily enough our being already knows all of this. It’s just the stronghold of the veil that makes us think we are only just discovering!

D: Whatever is not constant is a illusion, which is unreal! This is the core of inquiry by Ramana maharishi, who am I ! Nirvanashatakam! Neti neti

By shankaracharya

P: To go further

The soul came from the creator of all souls And the creator of all souls came from pure consciousness itself And pure consciousness came from Nothingness.

So who am I? I am the same as everything. And thus, like everything, I come from Nothing.

P: In a very positive way, whenever it’s time, intrigued to find out if we really learnt what it really is.. or if we’ll all meet there in good time and have a hearty laugh about how naive we were over thousands of lifetimes 😀😀🙏🏻🙏🏻✨

P: Meanwhile, the endeavour to be fully present and yet only be an observer continues…. 🙌🏻

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This particular chat is so valuable that i decided to preserve it in the blog, as it is. I have read it again and again to grasp the underlined portion, which is truly profound. Heartfelt gratitude to P, for this profound insight.

Paravastha is moving towards light:

In the chakras, the lowest chakras are highest in density. Which reduces as you go higher. Ultimately only space remains in the 5th chakra. Above that it the light in the third eye. And then energy in the sahastrar chakra.

I recalled reading about a recent experiment that shows that light can be "created" in space! On its own. Light itself is the most magical phenomenon! As the creation started with light!

Here is more information from AI.

Yes, light can be created in space. While it might seem counterintuitive, light isn't solely produced by stars or other luminous objects. In the quantum realm, light can be created from "nothing" through a process involving virtual particles and energy fluctuations in the vacuum. Additionally, gravity itself can, under certain conditions, create light.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

1. Quantum Vacuum:

Quantum field theory suggests that even a perfect vacuum isn't truly empty. It's filled with virtual particles and electromagnetic waves that constantly flicker in and out of existence. Simulations have shown that by manipulating these virtual particles with extremely powerful lasers, it's possible to rearrange them into a beam of light. This process essentially converts the energy inherent in the quantum vacuum into visible light.

2. Gravity's Role:

Some theories propose that gravity, particularly in the early universe during expansion, can create light. Gravitational waves, building on each other, could generate energy that excites electromagnetic fields, causing them to emit light.

3. Light from Stars:

While the quantum vacuum and gravity can produce light, stars remain the most prominent source of light in space. Stars generate light through nuclear fusion, where atomic nuclei combine to release energy in the form of photons (light particles).

4. Not All Space is Dark:

Even though space appears dark to the human eye, it is filled with light from various sources, including stars and other celestial objects. Light from distant stars can take billions of years to reach Earth, but it still illuminates the universe

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Chidananda rupa shivoham shivoham.

Shiva here does not mean saguna shankara. It means the nothing formless nature of shiva. Paravastha is your true nature. In nirvanashatakam, Acharya says, aham nirvikalpo. Nirakar rupo. Vibhutvach sarvatra sarvendriyayam. This means the consciousness is formless, all prevading, it is the only one and as p says, it is in between the object and the doer. It occupies the entire space, the space between atoms!

Coming up think of it, universe is actually a very vast space. Only a few objects of energy and matter exist. Think of body as matter and chakras as energy. Rest everything around them, within them, is only space. This space is the subtle representation of consciousness.

As the consciousness has the dream of having an experience, it needs a body to do so. It's only in the body, that the karmendriyas are present. Without karmendriyas, there can not be any experience. For example your hands, feet, anus, genitals and mouth are your experience drivers. On the other hand the 5 sense organs give inputs to the mind. To have a complete experience, you need both gyanendriyas and karmendriyas. This is also explained in the mandukya upanishad as the vaishwanar with 19 heads, the experiencer.

Freedom from karma in an instant:

Karma bandhana. If karmas are over lifetime of birth taken by bodies, the removal of such karma will also take many lifetimes and in those lifetimes, new karmas will be created. The best way to be free from karma bandhana is to realise that you are already free as the consciousness.

All the karmas were attached to the body, energy and mind domains. There are your domains. These are not you. These are like sheaths. Not the self. These are like lotus petals. Covering the real bud inside.

As you move from the triade to the duet of vigyanamaya kosha and ananadmaya kosha, these are still in the domain of knowledge of the past in oneness and love of the duo.

Consciousness is beyond it. As one passes through the duet stages, one meets the true self, which is only A witness, an observer, unattached. Beyond knowledge and love.

Mini paravastha state.

An interesting conversation with G.

G: i feel dull in the morning. Earlier my mind used to be racing with thoughts. Now it's not. Why?

D: It is not dull. It is thoughtlessness. Your mind is not engaged in thoughts at all times. Like when you are cooking in the morning, there is no need to think. You are doing it for many years, so it's on autopilot. When you are thoughtless, you are not dull. You are in mini paravastha state.

Catching mini paravastha state and extending it

In fact, when you think, at work or otherwise, the mind, being at rest at other times, is sharper.

You have two modes. Silence and thinking. Usually silent. Sometimes thinking when needed.

When you don't think, you are like a cheeta, taking rest.

When you think, no one can beat you, you are that fast!

It is nothing to do with your lifestyle! Enjoy the new state, as you practise kriya yoga!

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Paravastha in walking

Paravastha experience while taking a walk was a new one:

Being a witness you realise that whatever you are observing is cyclic. It's a repetition of the same set of actions, that can be breathing, thoughts, emotions, triggers, rhythmic motion, etc. So many of them given in bhairav tantra.

While taking a walk, usually which is a very boring activity for me, as i don't listen to music or learn anything new during the walk, which my friends do, suddenly became interesting.

I just put my attention to observing the rhythmic nature of my own walk. The observance of breath, the motion of hands and feet, the movement of muscles. And the best thing was the walking is not a conscious activity. You just walk. You don't command your leg to move forward etc. This is just muscle memory. So there is no thinking in the mind, when one walks, which directs the legs. Just the observance of this rhythmic motion kept the mind free of any thoughts and associated thinking. A thought when arising appear to be at a far distance very faint and almost non existent. I decided to count the times when I went into a thinking mode. I was surprise to notice check for minutes together there was no thinking at all. Just being a witness. Just observing.

Walking alone will be more enjoyable from now on.

Paravastha in routine activities:

I intend to do the same, which i am eating, or listening to music, anything which is an activity that does not need thinking, so as the maximize the paravastha state.

Paravastha in someone's company:

There are a few souls, who's mere presence creates a paravastha state. Usually these are realised masters and gurus. But rarely, you will come across a seemingly normal person, who instantly puts you at ease, relaxed and thoughtless, non judgemental. You are lucky if you find a few in this lifetime. In their company, there is no need to speak, to do anything together. Just the presence is enough.

Paravastha in a place:

Yesterday, i was at trimbakeshwar, taking darshan of jyotirlingam.

Here, i was in an observing state. No thoughts, inspite of the crowd, the noise, which all appeared to be coming from far away. Meditation in this place is different as even the anahata sound goes silent completely. After the abhishekh was over, the next few minutes went into paravastha, just being a witness

Blessings:

May you eternally be in paravastha state, doing all your roles and actions associates with the sole objective of loka kalyanam, being in jeevanmuktah state, observing your mind, not being the mind, energy and body triade, but the one with wisdom, always blissful.