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127. This is known as the act of Mânas Jap. It consists in chanting internally or mentally the sacred mantra given by the Guru without moving the tongue or lips. This results in concentration of mind preparing it for still finer modes or stages of inner meditation.
128. This is called Mânas Dhyân. Having done the chanting of the gross mantra successfully, this is a succession to a relatively less gross form of meditation wherein it is tried to internally visualise the image of the desired deity or Guru. When this stage is accomplished perfectly, the form of the deity or Guru should appear within in full clarity as it is seen in the outside world.
129. Also known as Til Dwâr or the Dasham Dwâr or the Tenth Gate or the Third Eye or the Single Eye or Sushumnâ or Âjnâ Chakra or Shahrag or the Shiva Netra, it is the meeting point of the gross and astral creations. The one who can still one’s gaze or attention at this bindu or the radiant point moves through this ‘narrow gate’ into the astral world. Hence, it is called as Bindu Dhyân (meditating upon the radiant infinitesimal point) or Shûnya Dhyân (Meditating in Void) or Sushumnâ Dhyân (Meditating upon/ in the Sushumnâ) or Drishtii Yoga (Yoga of Inner Light) or Shâmbhavi Mudrâ (Gazing Posture of Shiva) or Vaishnavî Mudrâ (Gazing Posture of Vishnu).
130. Five main spheres of creation have been described by sants and scriptures – Sthûl (Gross), Sûkshma (Astral), Kâran (Causal), MahâKâran (Supra-causal) and Kaivalya/ Chetan (Conscious) spheres. Each sphere is, sants say, formed by its unique characteristic vibration/sound/word called “Kendrîya Dhwani” or Central Sound or “Naubat”.
131. Upon penetrating the Sushumnâ or Âjnâ Chakra one rises from gross darkness into the realm of light. Within this light innumerable sounds called “anahad dhwani” (unlimited or countless varieties of sound) are heard (“vindupîthham vinirbhidya nâdalingamupasthitam” meaning “Penetrating the seat of Point Sound appears”) the loftiest of which is the “anâhat nâd/ dhwani” (Unstruck Sound), or “Sâr Shabd” (Quintessential Sound) or “Brahma Nâd” (Sound or Word of God), or “OM”, or “Udgîth” (Song of God), or “Pranav”, “Sat Shabd” (the True Word) that originates directly from the Supreme Being or the One Only God.
132. After the realm of Light ends, only zones of Sound lie beyond. It is these sounds only that guide and escort the perceiving soul to its final destination – merger with the Supreme Sovereign Lord, Parmâtmâ, God which is the Ultimate Goal of devotion or meditation or spiritual practice.