- Layavastha – state of merging. Merging really refers to a state of settledness in the condition at a certain point, or knot, arrived at by the Abhyasi. When after sufficient practice an Abhyasi is able to secure his entry into a certain knot or Granthi, he goes round in it for some time touring the place in order to acquire a thorough experience of it, By this process he begins to absorb in him the state prevailing at the place. When he becomes saturated with it, his merging has then come into effect. This is known as Layavastha (Merging). But the consciousness of the condition we have by now arrived at also exists, and so long as it does, the state of merging cannot be said to have matured to fullness. For this we have to proceed on further to acquire the state of settledness which is termed as identicality or Sarupyata. This again is not to the final phase, till it has developed into s still finer state of Sayujyata, where the impressions of the state of merging and identicality also become extinct. The attainment of Laya – Avastha is purely abhyasi’s job and not of the Master, although His help is there. TI P 6-7
- The experience of the ultimate begins when every other experience dies out. Those who have acquired Laya Avastha in Brahman, as much as is possible for the human being , remain in it some times with the full depth, and some times a little shallow. A man fully absorbed in Brahman all the time can do any work but will look like a statue. VR II 227