Page 135 - Journey to Infinity

Existence, consciousness and Bliss
Satchitananda
It is true that in the conscious state existence, knowledge and Bliss — all the three are there; and a feeling of their being interwoven is also there. The reason is that: (a) There is no being, or creature, which is not a combination of the three bodies. The heart, being at the centre, functions absorbing the effects of the higher and lower regions, which is its characteristic, (b) It is observed that breath comes out, goes in and stops. These are Rechak, exhalation, Poorak,inhalation and Kumbhak, suspension, which are going on every moment under all conditions. It is due to the knot of the three bodies being inter-linked. It should not be thought that there is no waking state in the dream state, and that there is no deep-sleep state in the waking state. Nor should it be thought that there is no waking or dream state in the deep-sleep state. But every one cannot know this. Only those who are spiritually advanced can know this. Mind is more often characterised by its thought function, and the soul by its peace and happiness. Otherwise the effect of the three is found in all these three. That is why action, knowledge and bliss (Karma, Jnana, Ananda) go hand in hand in all the spheres, Of course they seem to be different and separate from the point of view of their peculiarity and intensity.
The characteristic of the gross body is that there is action with stupidity. The characteristic of the subtle body is action, ignorance and knowledge (Jnana), anc only knowledge in higher conditions. The characteristic of the causal body is calmness, stability and peace Calmness and peace are nothing but happiness. When the mind settles or dwells on that stage it assumes the same form, and becomes peaceful and happy. This settling of it is calledUpasana. The heart acts (behaves) with the spirit also. That which thinks an attained (obtained) thing as unattained, and is worried about obtaining it, must pass through the stages of practice and action. He who thinks a thing as already obtained does not feel the necessity of obtaining it. As an example: The golden bangles on the wrist slipping upward, and the wearer having the illusion of their being stolen. Such a search is called action and practice which are quite essential for the deluded mind. That which sits near, and sits in a particular posture, is the mind only. The mind quickly assumes the same form of the thing on which it settles.
Mind, hands, legs, eyes, nose, ears — all these are the dwelling places of the mind, not to speak of gross and subtle bodies. It settles on all these and