Visions in Meditation

The visions can be divided into four major categories :

1- Visions coming from purification of Chitta. These visions aremostly seen in the beginning days of sadhna. A Sadhaka normally seeshimself with giants, serpents, evil spirits or sees himself in veryshabby and poor condition . Often one is afraid and the concentrationbreaks ..but these should be seen bravely as when these type ofvisions are seen, it indicates some very bad karma or our own evildesires are dying . These type of visions denote progress in Sadhana.

2- Visions showing future - These visions are like his Kripa to tellus forehand that we should be ready for some bad times. Though somepeople, without any sadhana also see visions about future, but theseare more common with sadhkas. One should not feel distressed to seethe future, as God wishes to warn us and to be ready for this.

3- Visions guiding in sadhana - Once we have made little advancementon the path of sadhana, our burden of Yoga is taken over by HIM (Asshri Krishna has beautifully explained in Gita). These type ofvisions are seen by those sadhaka who do not have a guru, or theirguru is not available to help him. These visions give clear guidanceon sadhana. I myself had this great vision when I was experimentingwith Om sadhana and was chanting OM in a wrong way. I saw SwamiParmananda taking OM classes and rebuking a child for not chanting OMin a proper way. I got the message and changed my way of chanting and thespeed of progress was doubled.

4- Visions showing the mysteries of the Universe - These type ofvisions are seen by advanced sadhaka (or by a novice if God sowishes). In this one may see sky, stars, kundalini or his bodyfunctions, or may see different energies working in the universe. Thevision had by Swami Yogananda falls under this category. So bycareful analysis of the vision, we may categorise it and find outwhether it indicates Chittashudhhi, warning, guiding or showing greatmystery and use its results in our sadhana.

STRANGE LIGHTS : Seeing strange lights by closed eyes is a verycommon phenomenon. these are seen even by new sadhakas. There aredifferent explanations for seeing the lights, but we will not go intodry intellectualism. These lights may be seen as a dot against theblack back ground as seen by closed eyes or we may see a fog/mist ofcolours, or the light may be seen as a thunderbolt. How we see thelights is not important. The importance of light lies in its color.We should carefully note the color of the light seen which may give

us an insight into its significance. I am giving below some examplesgathered from new and advanced sadhakas :-

(The colours may be common colours, but they tend to change in suchwavelengths as are never seen in practical. Seeing a colour instrange wavelengths denotes higher stage of concentration)

1- A less black dot seen in the darker background :- It denotes thesadhana is on right path. The dot represents wavering but settlingManas as seen by the Agya Chakra.

2- A bright dot (color milky white) : denotes progress in sadhana. Ifpossible we should concentrate on this dot, though in the beginning it sparks and fades in seconds, but becomes stable with progress in concentration.

3- Self-illuminating cob-webs or strange shapes : These may denotevisualizing one of our chakra, or a complex system of our Nadis.Instead of wasting our time as to what it is, we should continue withour sadhna and He will reveal slowly what He wishes to show.

4- Color Pink : denotes higher stage of purified chitta

5- Color Green : denotes peace attained by Manas

 6- Color Yellow or golden : denotes Ishwar Kripa coming to us

7- Color Orange : denotes lust and Kama under control

8- Color Violet : denotes higher stage of sadhna. It signifiesactivation of Agya Chakra.

9- Color Blue : denotes feeling of Vairagya becoming stronger.

These were some common colors seen by sadhakas. If You see someother color, try to find its nearer color and deduce your result.

The following symptom, if felt during meditation , prove theadvancement of sadhna :-

1- Sudden jerk in limbs - this happens due to Prana suddenly rushingaway from the limb to the Sushumna. This sign denotes higher stage ofconcentration and advancement in sadhana.

2- Cool air felt on eyelids / forehead :- another very good sign ofprogress. This normally happens in deep concentration. One feels asif super cooled air is being blown gently over one's eyelids,

forehead, throat, nose or any other part. This happens due to inflowof prana from the supreme power (Mother Nature/Durga). After somemore practice, one may feel this cool air any time even while notmeditating.

3- Throbbing/pulsing - sometimes sadhaka feels throbbing in the end of spinalregion, or on genitals, or on the forehead. This sensation denotesactivation of concerned chakra.

4- Tingling in the spinal column :- One may feel tingling in thespinal column, or upper tips of genitals , or on lips. This happensdue to Prana opening the fine nadis and is a good sign, but oneshould be careful during this sensation as Sexual desires may flareup suddenly. One has to control his sex-needs during this sensation,then it becomes very helpful in sadhana.

5- Sudden jerks in the body :- some sadhaka may feel sudden jerksduring mediation. This is most common in sadhakas doing TM, RajYoga,or Vipasana. These jerks are sometimes so violent that they break theconcentration. These jerks happen due to Prana suddenly flowing intoSushumna Nadi. It is a very good sign and should be taken as aprogress on the path. If they disturb the concentration, one shouldnot lose heart because by the passage of time, and advancement ofsadhana this break in concentration will stop.

6- Feeling of lightness/floating : Many sadhakas feel that their bodyhas become light like feather or some may feel they are in the air inan unbalanced position, or some just feel blown in the air. Thissensation is felt when the astral body detaches itself from thephysical body, and starts floating in the air. This is a very goodsign, provided one does not get disturbed out of fear or any suchthing. If one continues he may start having the astral visions afterthis sensation.

7- Listening strange sounds :- Though listening astral sounds is apart of Anahat Naad Sadhana, but any sadhaka can listen the astralsounds. Some sadhaka listen the sound of a flute, or sound of conch,or sound of rain, or sound of thunderbolt, or sound of river flowing.All these sounds are normally heard in the upper region of brain.This sensation is felt due to activation of astral ears. These soundsare in fact the sounds of the astral world. One may continue with hissadhana without giving much importance to these sound. If weconcentrate on these sounds, our path will change and we will startNaad Anusandhan which is another powerful path for salvation. Thelast sound heard in this case will be of OM.