there seems to be a controversy over whether when you get complete enlightenment if the world dissappears or not...i think, obviously, the world dissappear...(the world disappears in deep sleep...the mind stops working...but the Self isnt realized in deep sleep.)...similar to nirvikalpa samadhi described by meher baba...enjoy the read...
ramana maharshi
Question: When will the realization of the Self be gained?
Sri Ramana Maharshi: When the world which is what-is-seen has been removed, there will be realization of the Self which is the seer
Question: Will there not be realization of the Self even while the world is there?
Sri Ramana Maharshi: There will not be..
These men do not know the truth of the transcendental state beyond time, in which the world has not yet come into being. Non duality has neither beginning nor an end. Duality within space and time is unreal always..from ramana maharshi paravidyaopanishad verse 534
tom das has done alot of research on the removal of the world to realize the Self...this post even has some upanishads explaining the teaching..thanks tom das!
there are about 12 different pointers to texts about going beyond the body/mind space/time/causation complex on this blog post..click here
Nirvikalpa Samadhi – Two Different Perspectives: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar | Luthar.com
The state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi that Sri Ramakrishna refers to and Kevala Nirvikalpa Samadhi that Ramana Maharshi refers to are two different things. Two different Samadhis.
This is known by the adepts and advanced students who have engaged in long term practice of meditation and actually have experienced both of these states. This cannot be grasped through intellectual discussion as these are matter of practical experiences. This is why words and explanations can only help a little but also succeed in generating controversy.
The Nirvikalpa Samadhi referred to by Sri Ramakrishna involves deep meditation where the Kundalini Shakti moves up from the base of the spine and enlivens the energy centres along the spinal column in a special way. Going all the way up to the Sahasarara chakra (the thousand petalled lotus in the top brain centre) the dynamic Shakti joins the Static energy of Shiva and these two great forces start to fuse together in an unimaginable embrace as that of lost lovers who have finally found each other after an eternity. The mystics know it as the dance of love.
The Samadhi that ensues now involves the whole energy of the mind/body system and body consciousness is totally obliterated. As the union of Shakti and Shiva in Sahasarara leads to such perpetual and dynamic ecstasy, the desire to come out of such a state can quickly disappear. Ancient Yogis typically had their students around so that they were brought back at such times. They brought with them amazing wisdom to share about the universe.
Some Yogis before going into such a Samadhi create a seed of desire in their mind (will power) to come out of such a state after a certain time.
Kevala Nirvikalpa Samadhi that Bhagavan Ramana refers to is different. This Kevala Nirvikalpa samadhi results when the Shakti sometimes even bypassing the energy centers goes straight to the Sahasarara and after reaching the Sahasarara comes down from Sahasarara in the frontal Nadi known as Amrita Nadi or Para Nadi. Bhagavan Ramana has referred to this Nadi in his various “Talks”. This Nadi connects the Sahasarara and the Spiritual Heart referred to in the Upanishads.
This is a static Samadhi of pure stillness and pure being. The mind, with its individuality intact, comes out of it if inherent tendencies (karmas) are still strong. Bhagavan refers to this as having had a glimpse of the Self. This is the Samadhi where the Heart is directly experienced. One becomes the Heart or recognizes that One has always been the Heart.
As Ramana Maharshi has pointed out, the Spiritual Heart is not the physical heart and nor is it the Heart Center of Kundalini Yoga. This Heart is experienced slightly to the right of center in the chest above the rib cage. The Sage of Arunachala has spoken extensively about it.
The Spiritual Heart sucks in the Kundalini Shakti along with the mind (the mind being a manifestation of Shakti). Here everything disappears totally. No Energy, No Ecstasy, No Anything. Only the Pure Self. Self That Is It Self Sat-Chit-Ananda. That You Are!
Some reference to the Spiritual Heart is found in all spiritual traditions. In the Upanishads, the Spiritual Heart is referred to as Hridaya Gufa or Cave of the Heart.
Sri Ramana took great care to distinguish between Nirvikalpa Samadhi and Sahaj Samadhi as indicated in his conversations.
Sahaj Samadhi is different than both of the Nirvikalpa Samadhis mentioned above. It refers to the permanent continuous and the ever awake stage and there can be no rebirth after that.