Like I stated yesterday, the lowest form of Sakshi Bhava is where you split different parts of the mind into 2.
Based on this there are four different types of Yogas and four different types of Sadhaks
1) Mantra Yoga. Those sadhaks who cannot split their mind (either intellect or emotions) into two and silently observe the thoughts with one part of their mind should get the Mantra Diksha. For them, in time they will be able to watch their thoughts. At this point, inorder to progress further they will need another step the Laya Yoga.
2) Laya Yoga. With success of concentration of the Mantra Yoga, in time, we can silently divide our thoughts and mind and almost feel that the thoughts are external or superficial or foreign to us. Swami Shivomtirthji calls this Vichar darshan and some people erroneously think this is the Sakshi Bhava. There are some Sadhaks who make the mistake of thinking that the thoughts they are observing is the Sukshma or Astral body! The truth is the person observing the thoughts, is a little closer to the real consciousness.
However, inspite of being able to observe the thoughts, the Sadhak quickly realises that the thoughts are quickly taken over by emotions. Here, Laya yoga is helpful in stopping the emotions. In Laya Yoga, the mind is encouraged not to use mantra but to get absorbed in the divine sounds. With success of Laya Yoga, the sadhak will be able to observe his thoughts and emotions.
3) Hatha Yoga : One the Sadhak is able to watch the thoughts and he has success in Laya Yoga, he will be able to observe his own emotions. This is called Bhava darshana according to Swami Shivomtirthji.
At this point, inspite of being able to observe the thoughts and emotions, the Sadhaka is often overpowered by external forces. All of a sudden, inspite of having success, there is sudden loss in the power of observation. Not only that, he is unable to overcome some feelings like feeling tired, attacks of lack of concentration or comprehension, sexual desires, panic etc. The success of observing emotions and thoughts is merely restricted to the short duration of meditation. In order to have more lasting success and vanquish the 5 basic Kleshas (faults) as described by Patanajali, Hatha Yoga is important. The only branch of hatha yoga that I am eluding to is the Pranayama.
When I talk about Pranayama, I am not talking about holding the breath but I am talking of being able to hold the prana. This does not come overnight but comes slowly. In time, with practice, one is gradually able to clean some very basic source of all flaws. The reason why we have to constantly make an effort to watch the thoughts and emotions is because they have not been cleaned. With Pranayama, we are able to, with deep concentration, see the source where all the flaws of the emotions and thoughts arise from. There is a vast reservoir which is constantly feeding our emotions. This vast reservoir is the subconscient according to Sri Aurobindo. Patanjali called it the chitta. When we are finally at grips with the chitta, it no longer is an abstract thing. It has its own existence which can be seen, felt and observed.
Once, we are able to observe the chitta, finally, we have the ability to clean it! It is a long and slow process. This process occurs in the Muladhar! Once perfected, there are 3 things that we get. 1) Trikala drishti. The ability to see the past, present or future at will
2) Sayama prapti. The ability to seperate out from the emotions, thoughts and the chitta in a fraction of a second. This helps us achieve samadhi
3) Thought reading. The ability to read other peoples thoughts.
Finally, when pranayama is siddha, we are ready for Rajyoga
4) Rajyoga. This is the classic yoga which has been referred to in all the text books. In this part of the yoga, the sadhaka has perfected the above step. Now, he is ready for Samadhi. His prana is now able to ascend from the muladhar and then go to the Sahastrar and he is ready for freedom. Here, since the sadhaka already has Sayama, all he has to do, is focus his attention above and Shakti will automatically take his prana up. This is the way for all Siddhis!
Most disciples do not belong to any of these categories. A sadhaka ready for Rajyoga is extremely rare to find. A teacher is lucky if he finds more than 3 disciples ready for it! If the Sadhaka is ready for any given stage, as described in the books, the time for the sadhaka to go up each step is 3 years. Thus, success in Mantra yoga takes 12 years, Laya yoga takes 9 years, Hatha yoga takes 6 years and Raja yoga takes 3 years.
I myself have been struggling for 25 years. I have finally come into grapples with the chitta. It can be felt and seen. It feels like a thorn or an ugly seed haunting us! One must be very patient in cleaning this part. It took Sri Aurobindo more than 2 years of constant effort to clean it.
In between, I have had several experiences. One can have experiences like Samadhi in between, but it will not be constant, till the chitta is fully cleaned.
Om Shanti, Om Shanti, Om Shanti
Bhavin