The Foundations of Maharishi's Science of Creative Intelligence—Chapter Four: The Fifth State of Consciousness, Cosmic Consciousness

Regular practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique, performed twice daily, is said to systematically lead to a predictable sequence of higher states of consciousness: Cosmic Consciousness, Refined Cosmic Consciousness or God Consciousness, and Unity Consciousness. The last represents the full development of human potential. This claim, attributed to Maharishi, is presented as central to understanding individual and collective human life.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We have emphasised Maharishi’s description of Transcendental Meditation as a technique. In this context, we have described some of the remarkable and beneficial changes it brings to both mind and body during the period of practice. Maharishi also, however, speaks of his. Transcendental Meditation program. This refers to the fact that Transcendental Meditation is practiced twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. The question which naturally arises is: what are the cumulative effects of this daily practice? Maharishi’s answer is of the greatest significance to our understanding of human life, both individual and collective. It is that the regular practice of Transcendental Meditation and its associated programs (particularly, as we shall see, the Transcendental Meditation-Sidhi program, including Yogic Flying) systematically gives rise to a predictable sequence of higher states of consciousness—the fifth, sixth, and seventh states of consciousness—of which the last represents the full development of human potential. These states of consciousness, with Maharishi’s English and Sanskrit names for them, are as follows: Cosmic Consciousness: Turiyateet Avastha or Turiyateet Chetna Refined Cosmic Consciousness or God Consciousness: Bhagavat Chetna Unity Consciousness: Brahmi Sthithi or Brahmi Chetna. The significance of these names will become apparent in our discussion of the characteristics Maharishi ascribes to them in this and later chapters of the book.