Levels and Experiences

I have classified the levels of practice according to certain milestone experiences that one encounters along the path. Information on practices is only provided up to the culmination of the Beginner level on this website. Prior to starting practices at the Intermediate and Advanced levels, the aspirant should check whether they are ready for these levels and then either find a suitable teacher or take necessary precautions to avoid difficulties.

Beyond Advanced: It is a common misconception that either KuNDalini awakening or the first taste of SamAdhi signals that one has reached the ultimate goal. It is a common feature to find people who start teaching once they have had their first spiritual experience, which is perhaps still better than teaching with no experience at all! In fact, as one progresses it becomes clear that KuNDalini awakening is only the Bachelor's degree, samAdhi is the Master's degree and Bindu Vedhana is probably the equivalent of the doctoral degree in spiritual practice. So the real research into spiritual matters begins after the doctoral degree. The ultimate goal is actually sahaja samAdhi. The various levels of Ananda (bliss) leading up to this state are given by Abhinavagupta in his Tantra-Aloka, and as quoted by Georg Feuerstein in his book on Tantra these are: