Four lateral sublevels

by Marinus Jan Marijs

As shown in the diagrams of the developmental sequences, there are twelve levels of growth (1-12) of which the highest five (8-12) are the mystical levels.

Bhava mysticism

The mysticism of emptiness is sometimes characterized as ‘void’. It is actually the first phase (A) of a developmental mysticism which leads to ‘bhava mysticism’(D). This ‘bhava mysticism’ is a lateral development of subtle energies on each of the five mystical levels mentioned in
five mystical levels. It culminates in an energetic sphere called ‘bhava samadhi’ (see below). The existence of the mysticism of the emptiness on the one hand, and the ‘bhava samadhi’ on the other hand, makes it possible to reconstruct this lateral development into 4 sublevels (A,B,C,D).

Four lateral sublevels

In the diagram here below you will find four lateral sublevels: A, B, C and D.

In the first and second tiers, each sublevel from A to D shows an increase in complexity. Sublevel D is the level of genius. (The term “Tier” indicates a major shift in development)

Above second tier, the sublevels imply:

• Sublevel A: Emptiness;
• Sublevel B: Feeling;
• Sublevel C: Seeing;
• Sublevel D: Energy sphere (bhava samadhi – the body of light).

Sublevel A of the highest five levels (third tier) is emptiness.
Sublevel B involves feeling the concentrations of subtle energies that are formed.
At sublevel C, these energies are not only felt, but also seen as colored energies which are pulsating and have certain movement patterns.
Sublevel D of the four highest levels (not including the level of nature mysticism) is where the subtle energies are activated to their maximum, and this is when the mystic enters a state called bhava samadhi.

Thus, for example, where nirvana of a Buddha is a state of emptiness on a high-causal level, high-causal bhava samadhi is a state of fullness on that same level.

                                                            click on diagram to view larger image 
3 forms of mysticism;

1.  Emptiness        Nirvana                 The void
2.  Non-dual          Turiya(tita)             Post-nirvana enlightenment
3.  Fullness           Bhava Samadhi     Post-enlightenment

Five levels of emptiness (Sublevel A)

Figure 1 shows five levels of emptiness, each implying a different state.

[The terms used here are Buddhist. See five mystical levels for terms used in other religions.]:

1. Sublevel A – the Srotapatti: A state in which thought processes are absent;
2. Sublevel A – the Sakridagamin: A meditative state [As said here below the term meditation is used in this book to mean not a form of active concentration but rather a passive, effortless state.];
3. Sublevel A – the Anagamin: A deep meditative state;
4. Sublevel A – the Arhat: Nirvana;
5. Sublevel A – the Buddha: Supreme nirvana.

This Third tier mysticism (level 8-12) has five levels of emptiness, an elaboration:

1. The level of the Srotapatti: Some degree of clarity in the background of one’s mind, that transcends the rational;
2. The level of the Sakridagamin: The ability to shift into a meditative state in which thinking processes cease. (The word meditation is often used to denote some form of concentration requiring a constant, active effort. Here, however, it is an effortless, passive state);
3. The level of the Anagamin: The meditative state will be deeper and more stable;
4. The Arhat is someone who attains nirvana;
5. The highest level is that of a Buddha – supreme nirvana.

Sublevels B and C: Knowledge aspect of mysticism (William James’ noetic quality)

Subtle energies exist at all twelve levels, from the sensorimotor level, all the way up to the high-causal level see: Nirvana and enlightenment. At the five mystical levels only five main subtle energy groups exist with each different colors (red, yellow, green, blue and violet) with different functional capacities (emotional, cognitive, interpersonal, moral and spiritual; see: Three forms of mysticism. Each of these five subtle energy groups can be felt at sublevel B and seen at sublevel C. The feeling and seeing characteristics will differ with each of the five subtle energy groups.

Intuition

An example of knowledge at nature mysticism sublevel B experience is the trans logical insight (cognitive). A scientist normally functions on the rational level. When he/she tries to develop fundamentally new theories/ concepts, he/she normally collects (a great amount of) relevant information. This is normally rational level 5 sublevel C or D activity. On the rational level however deep insights are not possible. Most of the time, scientists try to find solutions on this level but fail. When normal thought processes are exhausted and fail to deliver a solution, it happens that a very distinctive shift takes place in which the mind becomes completely empty. This shift lifts a person up to the transrational  level 8 at sublevel A. This is followed by a further lateral shift to sublevel 8B and then a sudden insight, by which a solution becomes clear. This insight is then taken up by the scientist with all the relevant information into a theoretical model, which is accessible at a rational, logical level.

Inspiration

If we locate translogical intuition on level 8B in the scheme here above, than inspiration has to be located at level 9B. Intuition normally has a pulse-character while inspiration has more of a wave-character. Inspiration often combines multiple elements. Henri van Praag, a well-known Dutch professor in the field of anthropological parapsychology, noted that in the case of inspiration people have the sense that something “from outside” acts upon their mind. This is often not possible to be perceived with intuition, even if it is the case. Inspiration generates a structuring which is superior to step by step or constructed mental activity. When artists or scientists look for inspiration, as they often have described, they first experience a mental quietness which resides on level 9A of the scheme. Next they sense a shift to level 9B where they experience inspiration.

 Revelation

Revelation can be located- at level 10B of the scheme and is a higher form of inspiration. Revelation is more encompassing as compared to inspiration which only deals with subdivisions. Revelation is concerned with the unlocking of totally new perspectives on a larger scale. Revelation also transcends inspiration because it not only changes one’s worldview, but it has a transformational influence on the human mind as well.

Unity

Intuition, inspiration as well as revelation are clear cognitive capacities at different mystical levels because they generate new insights and knowledge. They are contact-experiences with a Kosmic ‘background’. Unity can be placed on level 11B in the scheme and is an even higher capacity. Unity’s characteristic is that it transcends a contact-experience because one ‘merges’ with a Totality which contains information about Kosmic processes. It is as if one ‘becomes’ what one is investigating.

Identity

There is an even higher form called ‘Identity’ which can be placed on level 12 B in the scheme. In this case no longer two elements (human and Kosmos) are merging, but two elements are being as One. In the mystical literature this is known by the expression ‘Atman = Brahman’ or in the pronouncement of Christ: ‘the Father and I are One’.

Genius

Decades ago term genius (a person with an extraordinarily mental ability), was mainly used in relation to logico-mathematical capabilities like that of a top scientist. It is clear that next to logico-mathematical genius other forms of genius exist, for instance the physical genius of an Olympic top athlete, the genius of a top actor to express a broad range of emotions, the genius of Rembrandt in his representational ability, the linguistic genius of a play writer, the genius of an existentialist to unchain the unconscious human mind from traditions and abstractions, the genius of an integral philosopher to situate the human search for meaning and authenticity as an active participant contributing to a Kosmic evolutionary process.

These forms of genius are placed at sublevel D on the twelve levels. It has to be noted that genius is a combination of maximum developed techniques, permanently accessible at D-level, and insights residing at higher levels. These insights however are not permanent but peak-experiences.

Creativity

Creativity is the ability to create fundamental innovations. Creativity is directly connected to the insights presented above, residing at levels 8 to 12, sublevel B. It finds its expression in science, technology and art. At the higher forms of creativity the human mind itself transforms.

The creative process is not algorithmic, a step by step procedure but contains genuinely new elements which arrive in jumps.

Different forms of mystical ecstasy

Mystical ecstasy is a strong activation of subtle energies at levels 9 to 12. It is an exceptionally intense experience, independent of a material, social or emotional situation. This energy is usually felt at one of the locations of the chakra’s.

Giovanni Battista Piazetta  (1683 – 1754) – Saint Theresa in Ecstasy

Characteristics of mystical ecstasy are:

• A feeling of intense happiness;
• Being conscious of extraordinary mental spaces;
• Dramatic changes in psychological perceptions;
• An extreme intense feeling;
• The absence of desire;
• The absence of self-sense;
• Timelessness;
• Contact with the Transcendental;
• Experiencing the universe as a living entity;
• Effortlessness;
• Being surrounded by a non-physical light.

Sublevels B and C: Energy aspect of mysticism

Subtle non-physical energies exist at all 12 levels. These subtle energies or felt at the mystical levels at sublevel B and seen at sublevel C.

Example level 9:
(At sublevel A:  One experiences a deep meditative stillness of the mind)

At sublevel B:    One feels mystical ecstasy;

At sublevel C:    One requires the ability to see subtle energies and their colours, forms and
                             moving patterns visually.

Mystical ecstasy at the levels 9 till 12 have clearly distinctive characteristics.
Level 9 B/C:       Glow which is ecstatic. Near navel, heart, throat, and head –chakra’s.

Level 10 B/C:     Flame-like, strong ecstatic energy near throat-, heart- and head-chakra’s.

Level 11 B/C:     Nectar-like, very strong ecstatic energy. Taste sensations (nectar) which do
                             not have a sensory equivalent. Flowing stream(s).

Level 12 B/C:     Very highly energetically activated particles in the head at sublevel B, and
                             extending through the whole body at sublevel C. Flowing radiation,
                             non-local aspects.

Examples of a sublevel B and C experiences of subtle energies are the following:
(At sublevel A one will experience a deep stillness of mind).
At sublevel B one will experience mystical ecstasy.
At sublevel C one gains the ability to see subtle energies visually on this level.