In the Yoga Vasishta, Guru Vasishta Muni exhorts Lord Rama to be in a 'Jnana state' at all the times, while at the same time carrying out his Karma (responsibilities) as per the Dharma and his Asrama. This Jnana (knowledge) state is when the person understands the knowledge about the oneness of all worlds and lives in a quiescent state of Brahmic bliss all the time, considering all manifestations to be from that Unique Supreme Power (USP) or energy. Those Jnana-muktis who have reached that state live and work in the world as normal human beings, but their outlook and approach is not dependent on their state of mind. They have gone beyond the pull of their body, mind and intellect (BMI). They always live in the Jnana state. Sw. Chinmayananda wonderfully describes it as 'meditation-less' meditation where the jnanis live in a meditative state all the time, even though externally they do look and work normal.
I think all those people striving in the spiritual paths should live in their state all the time for that to be effective and for the faster progression to the next higher state. In the initial stages of spiritual growth, Vedanta provides three paths (yoga) of development - Karma (physical activities), Bhakti (Mental alignment and dedication) and Jnana (knowledge). Initially all should start this as a regular activity of the day (like prayer time). However, as they progress, these are not just periodic activities to be done as prayer or meditation only. It should be a permanent state at all the 'avasthas' or phase of the day. As a first step, the states of Karma, Bhakti or Jnana can be retained in 'jagratha' or awakened phase where we do all the day to day activities. If that is successful that state slowly extends into the 'swapna' or dream phase and even possibly in the deep -sleep or 'sushupti' phase. For instance, a person who is aligned to Bhakti path can be thinking, humming and mentally chanting on his/her favorite object of GOD at all the time, even when performing the daily work. We have seen this in earlier generation when our grandpa or grandma always seem to be chanting mantras at all times, even while bathing, cooking, serving etc. Similarly Karma yogis can think of self-less service in all work that they are involved with.
In short, it is not just a one time activity in a day or week - if these are to be ingrained in the personality and life of the individual, these states have to be retained at all the times for the successful evolution to higher levels of spirituality.
Hari Om.
I think all those people striving in the spiritual paths should live in their state all the time for that to be effective and for the faster progression to the next higher state. In the initial stages of spiritual growth, Vedanta provides three paths (yoga) of development - Karma (physical activities), Bhakti (Mental alignment and dedication) and Jnana (knowledge). Initially all should start this as a regular activity of the day (like prayer time). However, as they progress, these are not just periodic activities to be done as prayer or meditation only. It should be a permanent state at all the 'avasthas' or phase of the day. As a first step, the states of Karma, Bhakti or Jnana can be retained in 'jagratha' or awakened phase where we do all the day to day activities. If that is successful that state slowly extends into the 'swapna' or dream phase and even possibly in the deep -sleep or 'sushupti' phase. For instance, a person who is aligned to Bhakti path can be thinking, humming and mentally chanting on his/her favorite object of GOD at all the time, even when performing the daily work. We have seen this in earlier generation when our grandpa or grandma always seem to be chanting mantras at all times, even while bathing, cooking, serving etc. Similarly Karma yogis can think of self-less service in all work that they are involved with.
In short, it is not just a one time activity in a day or week - if these are to be ingrained in the personality and life of the individual, these states have to be retained at all the times for the successful evolution to higher levels of spirituality.
Hari Om.