GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA
consciousness in ecstasy. First, consciousness of the gross and subtle body. At this Three states of conscious-ness in ecstasy. time he would repeat the Name of the Lord and sing His praises in San-kirtan. Second, consciousness of the causal body alone. In this state he would become intoxicated with ecstatic joy, and re-taining partial consciousness of the external, he would dance in company with other Bhaktas. Third, consciousness of the Absolute. In this state he would enter into the highest realm of Samadhi, and rising above all sense-conscious- ness, his body would remain apparently lifeless. These states correspond to the five sheaths of the soul in Vedanta. According to Vedanta the gross body includes the material form which is the outermost sheath and the sheath of Prana or the sense-organs and sense-powers. The subtle body includes two sheaths, mental and intellectual. The causal body is the sheath of joyfulness. Beyond these five is the true Self, the Absolute. When the mind reaches this state, the highest Samadhi or God-consciousness is the result.
How to pray is the next question. Let us not pray for things of this world, but pray like Narada, Narada said to Rama Chandra; "0
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