Happy Tears - Ananda Ashru - Anandha kanneer (ஆனந்தக் கண்ணீர்)

Happy Tears - Ananda Ashru - Anandha kanneer (ஆனந்தக் கண்ணீர்)

Tears flowing during deep meditation is a profoundly beautiful and very common phenomenon. When it happens, it usually catches people by surprise because it occurs without the usual triggers—there is often no active feeling of sadness, grief, or pain.

Instead, these tears are widely understood across both modern psychology and spiritual traditions as a sign of profound movement within your inner landscape.

 

Here is a breakdown of what those tears generally signify, looking at it through both a physiological and a deeper spiritual lens.

1. The Spiritual and Energetic Perspective

In Indian philosophical and meditative traditions, these are often referred to as Ananda Ashru (tears of bliss or divine love). They signify that your meditation is deepening and touching layers beyond the ordinary thinking mind.

• The Melting of the Ego-Mind: When you touch states of deep stillness—moving closer to the silent witness (Turiya)—the rigid boundaries of the ego begin to soften. This sudden expansion of awareness, or the subtle touch of the boundless expanse (Akash), can cause a profound sense of awe and surrender. The mind simply doesn't know how to process this vastness, so the body translates it into tears.

• The Movement of Prana (Life Force): During deep meditation, blockages in your energetic body begin to clear. As Prana flows freely through channels that were previously constricted by stress or old mental impressions (Samskaras), it can trigger a sudden physical release.

• Bhakti (Devotion and Surrender): Even for those on a path of knowledge or stillness, a deep meditative state can evoke an overwhelming sense of gratitude, universal love, or a feeling of "coming home." The tears are an effortless, wordless expression of that ultimate surrender.

   

2. The Physiological and Emotional Lens

From a psychological and physiological standpoint, meditation alters your nervous system's state radically, which directly impacts the body.

• Autonomic Nervous System Shift: Meditation triggers a profound shift from the sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight") to the parasympathetic nervous system ("rest and digest"). When the body enters an ultra-deep state of relaxation, the lacrimal glands (tear ducts) can activate automatically as a physical sign of tension being completely discharged.

• The Catharsis of Subconscious Storage: The body stores unexpressed emotions, stress, and micro-traumas in its tissues and subconscious layers. In the silence of meditation, when you stop distracting yourself and just witness, the psychological guard drops. Emotional energy that you might not even remember holding onto is allowed to bubble up and dissolve. The tears are literally a purification process, washing away residual stress.

• Physical Eye Relaxation: On a simpler note, during prolonged, focused meditation, your blink reflex slows down, or the micro-muscles around the eyes completely relax. This change in physical tension and focus can naturally cause the eyes to water.

   

How to Approach It

The best approach when this happens is pure, detached observation (Sakshi Bhava).

• Do not try to analyze why they are falling while you are meditating.

• Do not attach a story to them ("I must be sad" or "I am becoming highly evolved").

• Simply allow the tears to roll down your face without wiping them away immediately, if possible. Treat them exactly like thoughts or breath—observe them, let them flow, and let them pass on their own.

   

It is a sign that your practice is working like an austerity (Tapasya), gently cleansing the mirror of your consciousness so it can reflect the light of the Self more clearly.

Sushupti, Turiya and Turiyateeth

Spiritual evolution through Heartfulness

Hearfulness meditation is an method for inner focus, calmness and peace. Their meditation process includes, Relaxation, Cleaning and Prayer. 

  

Movie-Screen-Infinite

Jagruta - Awake - Action movie
Svapna - Dreaming - Fantasy movie
Sushupti - Deep sleep - Blank Screen
Turiya - You are the screen where action/fantasy/blank is shown
Turiyateeth - Realize that there is no screen and see the infinite

 

Sushupti - Dark room
Turiya - You are watching the room with a torch light
Turiyateeth - Realizing that the room, the light and you are one

 

In the cartography of consciousness mapped out by Indian philosophy—particularly in Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism—the transition from the mundane to the absolute is explained through distinct avasthas (states).

While we readily recognize the shifting states of our daily lives, moving from deep sleep to the absolute reality requires a subtle shift in understanding. The progression from Sushupti to Turiya and ultimately Turiyateeta represents the journey from personal ignorance to universal, non-dual realization.

 

1. Sushupti (The Deep, Dreamless Sleep State)

Sushupti is the third of the standard relative states of consciousness (following Jagrat / waking and Svapna / dreaming).

• The Experience: It is a state of dense, peaceful, dreamless sleep. There is no subject-object duality, no thoughts, and no movement of the mind. When you wake up, you remember: "I slept soundly; I knew nothing."

• The Catch: While it feels peaceful and unified, it is not liberation. Sushupti is characterized by Agyana (veiled ignorance) or Laya (dissolution). The ego-mind has not vanished; it has simply folded back into a causal seed state (karana sharira), waiting to sprout again the moment you wake up. 

2. Turiya (The "Fourth" — Pure Consciousness)

The word Turiya literally means "the fourth." However, it is not simply a fourth state stacked on top of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. It is the underlying fabric or background of all three.

• The Analogy: If the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states are movies playing on a screen, Turiya is the screen itself. The screen is present when the action movie is playing (waking), when the fantasy movie is playing (dreaming), and when the screen goes completely blank (Sushupti). The movie cannot exist without the screen, but the screen is entirely untainted by what is projected onto it.

• The Realization: Turiya is Atman or Pure Awareness. It is the silent, detached Witness (Sakshi) that observes the coming and going of the other three states without being modified by them. It is called the "fourth" only from our relative perspective because we count the first three first.

3. Turiyateeta (Beyond the Fourth — The Stateless State)

Turiyateeta (or Turiyatita) literally translates to "that which transcends the fourth." It is the ultimate apex of non-dual realization, prominently emphasized in texts like the Avadhuta Gita and Kashmir Shaivism.

• The Shift: In Turiya, there is still a subtle, conceptual trace of a boundary—a distinction between the "Witness" and the "witnessed worlds." You are looking at the three states from the perspective of the background.

• Absolute Non-Duality: Turiyateeta collapses even that final, subtle distinction. The label "fourth" drops away entirely because the first three states are realized to be completely unreal (Mithya). There is no longer a "background screen" separate from the "movie"; everything is recognized as one seamless, uninterrupted mass of absolute reality (Brahman or Parashiva). It is the state of a Jivanmukta (one liberated while alive), acting in the world in permanent, effortless Sahaja Samadhi. 

   

Quick Comparison at a Glance

Attribute	Sushupti (Deep Sleep)	Turiya (The Witness)	Turiyateeta (The Absolute)
Nature	Ignorance / Dormancy	Pure Awareness / Witness	Absolute Non-Duality
The Ego Mind	Present as a seed (Seed of potential)	Transcended (Observed from above)	Utterly dissolved (Unbroken oneness)
Analogy	A dark room where you cannot see the furniture.	Turning on the flashlight to realize you are the watcher in the room.	Realizing the room, the watcher, and the light are all a single, indivisible space.
Experience	Total blankness/unconsciousness.	Conscious stillness; the backdrop of existence.	The "stateless state"—total absorption where inside and outside merge.

The Essential Difference: In Sushupti, you are asleep to the world and asleep to the Self. In Turiya, you are awake to the Self as the silent background of all changing states. In Turiyateeta, the changing states lose their independent reality entirely, leaving only the seamless, eternal expanse of the Absolute.

 

 

Yogeshwaraya Mahadevaya

The "Yogeshwaraya Mahadevaya" stotra is a beautiful chant offered in reverence to Lord Shiva, recognizing him as the Lord of Yoga (Yogeshwara) and the Great God (Mahadeva). This stotra invokes his attributes—detachment, silence, fierce compassion, and transcendence.

 

It is a popular version of the "Yogeshwaraya Mahadevaya" chant as taught by Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation.

🕉 Yogeshwaraya Mahadevaya Stotram

Yogeshwaraya Mahadevaya  
Trayambakaya Tripurantakaya  
Kaalakaalaya Kalpantaaya  
Kaalabhairavaya Namaha

Gangadharaaya Shooline  
Ardhanarishwaraya Namaha  
Ashutoshaya Digambaraaya  
Panchavaktraaya Namaha

Sadashivaya Namaha  
Shambhave Namaha  
Shankaraaya Namaha  
Shivaya Namaha

 

Meaning

• Yogeshwaraya Mahadevaya – To the Lord of Yoga, the Great God

• Trayambakaya Tripurantakaya – The three-eyed one, destroyer of Tripura (three cities of ego)

• Kaalakaalaya Kalpantaaya – Lord of Time, who ends all eras

• Kaalabhairavaya Namaha – Salutations to Kaalabhairava, fierce form of Shiva

• Gangadharaaya Shooline – Bearer of the Ganga and the Trishula (trident)

• Ardhanarishwaraya Namaha – Who is half man, half woman—union of Shiva and Shakti

• Ashutoshaya Digambaraaya – The easily pleased one, clothed in the directions (sky-clad)

• Panchavaktraaya Namaha – The five-faced one, representing five aspects of Shiva

• Sadashivaya – The eternal benevolent Shiva

• Shambhave – Source of bliss

• Shankaraaya – The one who brings auspiciousness

• Shivaya – To Shiva, the Supreme 

   

When & Where?

• Can be chanted during meditation, Shivaratri, or daily worship.

• Brings a deep sense of reverence, groundedness, and inner stillness.

• Often used by sadhakas (spiritual seekers) walking the yogic path.

Shiva Dhyana Mantra

Shiva Dhyana Mantra

 Gogarbha Shiva Cave

The "Karacharana Krtam Vaa" shloka is a prayer of repentance and surrender to Lord Shiva. It is traditionally recited at the end of Shiva worship or meditation to seek forgiveness for any known or unknown mistakes. 

Shri Mahabaleshwar Atmalinga, Gokarna 

|| Karacharana Kritam Vaa Kaayajam Karmajam Vaa

 Shravana Nayanjam Vaa Maanasam Vaaparadham

Vihitam Avihitam Vaa Sarva Me Tat Kshamasva

Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe Shree Mahadeva Shambho ||

करचरण कृतं वाऽकायजं कर्मजं वा
श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वाऽपराधम्।
विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व
जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो॥ 

 Atmalinga

 

Atmalinga 

Meaning:

“O compassionate ocean of mercy, Mahadeva Shambhu!

Whatever sins I have committed — 

through my hands and feet, body and actions, ears and eyes, or mind — 

knowingly or unknowingly, rightfully or wrongfully — please forgive them all.

Victory to You, O Lord of compassion!” 

 

Mahadev Khola Dham, Shillong, Meghalaya 

I seek your blessings, Lord Shiva, 

May I be forgiven for the sins of my hands, feet, speech, actions, ears, eyes, or mind.

May my body, mind, and spirit be cleansed, 

O merciful Lord Shiva.

 

Shri Murdeshwar Atmalinga, Karnataka 

 

For a more thorough explanation of the mantra, look below:

Karacharana Kritam Vaa : Whatever Sins have been Committed by Actions Performed by my Hands and Feet

Kaayajam Karmajam Vaa : Produced by my Speech and Body, Or my Works

Shravana Nayanjam Vaa : Produced by my Ears and Eyes

Maanasam Vaaparadham : Sins Committed by my Mind

Vihitam Avihitam Vaa : While performing actions that are Prescribed (i.e. duties prescribed by tradition or allotted duties in one's station of life), as well as all other actions that are not explicitly prescribed (i.e. actions done by self-judgment, by mere habit, without much thinking, unknowingly etc.)

Sarva Me Tat Kshamasva : Please Forgive Them All

Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe : Victory, Victory to You Ocean of Compassion.

Shree Mahadeva Shambho : O Sri Mahadeva Shambho

 

 

Surathkal Atmalinga, Karnataka 

 

A heartfelt surrender seeking total forgiveness for all conscious and unconscious wrongs, placing complete trust in Lord Shiva's boundless compassion. 

Seeking a Daily Connection with the Divine

Seeking a daily connection with the Divine is a deeply personal and transformative journey. 

 

Here are some meaningful ways you can build and maintain that sacred connection every day:

1. Begin the Day with Intention

Start each morning with a few moments of stillness. Before picking up your phone or jumping into tasks, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and set an intention to stay connected with the Divine throughout the day. A simple prayer like,

“Guide me today. Let me walk in your light and purpose,” can open your heart to divine presence.

2. Daily Prayer or Meditation

Take dedicated time—morning or evening—for prayer, meditation, or reflection. This can be:

• Speaking from your heart

• Repeating sacred names or mantras

• Silent listening for divine guidance

• Reading sacred texts and contemplating their meaning

Consistency matters more than length. Even 10 minutes can make a huge difference.

 

3. Engage with Sacred Writings

Spend a few minutes each day reading from spiritual or sacred texts that resonate with your beliefs—whether that’s the Bible, Bhagavad Gita, Quran, Guru Grant Sahib, or writings from saints, sages, or mystics. 

Reflect on how the message applies to your life.

4. Create a Sacred Space

Have a corner in your home with a candle, image, or object that symbolizes the Divine for you. 

Let it be a visual reminder of your connection and a space to return to in moments of silence or prayer.

5. Serve Others with Love

One of the most powerful ways to experience the Divine is through acts of kindness and compassion. Serve someone each day, even in small ways, with a conscious heart. Say:

“Let this act be my offering.”

6. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude opens the heart and aligns you with the Divine flow. End your day by naming three things you’re grateful for. 

It’s a way of saying,

“I see your hand in my life.”

7. Speak and Live with Awareness

The Divine often speaks through our conscience. Pay attention to the quiet nudges that guide you toward love, patience, honesty, or courage. Make space throughout the day for brief pauses—a deep breath, a whispered prayer, or just awareness of the sacred in the ordinary.

8. Trust the Silence

Sometimes you may not feel anything. That’s okay. Keep showing up. 

Faith deepens in the silence, too.  

Connection with the Divine is not always emotional—it’s about presence, trust, and consistency.

 

"I Am That" (Tat Tvam Asi)

Realization: "I Am That" (Tat Tvam Asi)

 

When you fully realize that you are not the body, not the mind, but pure consciousness, Jivan Mukti happens effortlessly. 

There is no fear, no suffering, only infinite peace and bliss. Even while living in the world, you are free—nothing binds you anymore.

Abide in Inner Silence (Mouna and Meditation) - Silence the mental chatter and rest in the peace of pure awareness. The more you rest in silence, the closer you come to Jivan Mukti.

Dissolve the Ego (Ahamkara-Nasha) - Recognize that the ego is an illusion—it is not your true self. Avoid pride, possessiveness, and the idea that "I am separate from others." Experience oneness with everything.

Live with Compassion and Selfless Service (Karma Yoga) - Realize that "I am not the doer", the Divine is acting through you.

Practice Equanimity (Samabhava) - Accept joy and sorrow with the same attitude. See all beings as equal and divine. Stay centered, whether praised or criticized, whether in comfort or hardship.

Master the Mind (Manonasha – Dissolution of the Mind) - Train the mind to stay in the present moment.

Detachment (Vairagya) - Understand that all things are impermanent and true joy comes from within. Live in the world but remain unaffected by its ups and downs (like a lotus in water).

Surrender to the Higher Reality (Ishwara Pranidhana) - Cultivate total acceptance of life’s happenings as divine will. 

Develop humility and devotion, knowing that the individual ego is an illusion.

Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara) - Follow Ramana Maharshi’s method of self-inquiry: 

Ask yourself, "Who am I?" Realize that you are not the body, mind, or emotions, but the eternal consciousness (Atman). Drop attachment to false identities (name, role, ego).