(29) Superiority of Sound practice over external religious observances
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43. It is evident from the above that all external works of charity, worship, pilgrimage, or mere reading of holy books, unless accompanied by internal practice of Surat Shabd Yoga (or the union of spirit and Holy Word) do not lead to true salvation which can only be attained by raising the spirit to the First Degree or pure spiritual regions. One may reap the fruit of such acts by obtaining happiness in the same or a new body or re-birth, in the same or a higher sphere. But to approach the Supreme Being, there is absolutely no other means except the practice of ,em>Surat Shabd Yoga under the guidance of a Sant Sat Guru or a Sadh Guru, or a sincere lover of the Supreme Being who has received instructions from, and is helped in his practice by one of those Superior and Holy Spirits.
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(30) Description of three natural states -- wakefulness, dream, and sound sleep
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44. It is necessary to remark here that every human being passes through three states of life in every twenty four hours, viz. :--
- The wakeful state in which he works with his senses and limbs, feels pleasure and pain, and comes in contact with other creatures and objects in this world. In this state the principal seat of the spirit is in the pupil of the eye.
- The dreamy state in which his connection with the corporeal body (or outer covering) and the senses as well as the external world ceases or is slackening. He has no sensation of bodily pleasure and pain, and all anxiety about worldly affairs in a manner disappears. In this state the spirit is drawn within and upwards to the astral sphere where it dreams and comes in contact with astral creation, and works by means of internal mind and senses.
- The state of deep and sound sleep when all action of mind and sense ceases and the spirit is drawn further inwards and its connection with both the corporeal and astral bodies temporarily ceases. Breathing and motion of the heart and pulse continue, but in certain diseases such as catalepsy as well as in the state of deep trance, etc., the motion of the heart and lungs also ceases owing to the spirit being withdrawn inner most.
45. It would thus appear that the connection of the spirit with the corporeal body and senses as well as the objects of this world is established during the wakeful state only, when the spirit current returns to its seat in the pupil of the eye where the sensation of worldly pleasure and pain is experienced, and the mind, the senses and the limbs perform their respective functions. This connection is temporarily severed when the spirit withdraws itself from its seat and all sensations and functions cease simultaneously. A similar change begins to appear when a man is dying, that is to say, his spirit current is gradually withdrawn from the extremities and when the pupil of the eye is turned upwards and inwards, the spirit flies and its connection with the body ceases for ever.
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