The seven bhumikas belong to the path of Jnana Yoga. They describe stages of growing spiritual realization, starting from the mere desire for truth to the final state of superconsciousness, the realization of Brahman.
They are:
- Subheccha (desire for truth)
- Vicharana (investigation, enquiry)
- Tanumanasi (thread-like mind)
- Sattvapatti (attainment of purity)
- Asamsakti (utter detachment)
- Padartha (unbroken awareness of the Absolute Self)
- Turiya (the fourth state beyond waking, dream and sleep, beyond self and non-self)
Subheccha
This first and fundamental state of wisdom is characterised by a strong determination to study spiritual teachings and put them into practice as well as to associate with spiritual minded people and teachers. It is a state of powerful yearning for spiritual realization.
Vicharana
The second stage of vicharana signifies deep inquiry. This is the stage where the teachings are actually being put into practice, for example through the practice of meditation and self-inquiry.
Tanumanasi
By the practice of inquiry and meditation mentioned in the second stage, the mind slowly gets transformed. Self-centred worldly interests and passions decrease, making it easier to concentrate on spiritual practice.
Thus, the mind is not so much following the ups and downs of emotions and desires anymore but can purposefully apply itself to more selfless and spiritual pursuits.
Sattvapatti
In the following state of sattvapatti, the mind has become pure. Through spiritual practice, the lower qualities (or gunas) of dullness (tamas) and passion (rajas) have been transformed into awareness and purity (sattva).
A pure mind acts like a calm surface of a lake: it reflects the higher consciousness. The truth of the Absolute Self is directly perceived. In this state, the vasanas (deep-rooted tendencies) which make up the personality are destroyed, making way for the experience of the Absolute Self. A person in this stage sees the universe as a dream.
Asamsakti
Asamsakti is a state of complete detachment. It is brought about by the practice of the prior four states. This utterly selfless and detached attitude makes a person firmly established in the knowledge of the self. The inward experience is one of complete bliss.
Although completely unaffected by outward circumstances, a person in this stage will still be able to perform voluntary actions.
Asamsakti is regarded as synonymous with jivanmukti, liberation while still in the body.
Padartha
Padartha gets established by practicing the prior five states. In this state, a person is so immersed in the realization of the Absolute that she has no conception of the internals or externals and engages in actions only when impelled to do so by others.
Turiya
Turiya is the final state. It is the state of "superconsciousness," in which a person’s consciousness is completely immersed in Brahman (the Absolute Self) and the world is no longer experienced as separate from Brahman.
Turiya literally means "the fourth," as it is a state of consciousness beyond the fluctuating three states of waking, dream and sleep. Ramana Maharshi described turiya as the real and natural state of the self. Rather than a special state besides the other three, it is their basis. Turiya is regarded as synonymous with videhamukti, liberation without a body.
Conclusion
As a more theoretical concept from the path of Jnana Yoga, the seven bhumikas don't contain any spiritual practices or practical teachings as such. They are more to be seen as a road map for spiritual development. They can give you an idea of the ultimate aim of spiritual evolution and help with classifying and identifying the different stages on the way.
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