Human Consciousness – Summarised
Human consciousness progresses over Five Khands (spheres, stages, plains, levels):
Dharam Khand (Arena of Righteousness): The mortal engages in the ‘battle’ of worldly duties and its ramifications.
Gyan Khand (The Sphere of Knowledge): The impact of divine knowledge and wisdom upon our mind and karma directs us towards piety and humility, facilitating our progression to the next level of consciousness.
Saram Khand (The Realm of Beauty & Humility): Spiritual wisdom enables us to see the beauty of God’s Creation, both tangible (eg, the world as we see around us) and abstract (the human soul and other species of life). The latter, ie, spiritual awareness of the mind and soul are shaped here, developed to a degree of perfection, equivalent to the souls of the highest divinity.
Karam Khand (The Sphere of Grace): Our performance in the earlier battles is rewarded here, and we await Lord’s Grace to take us into His Sanctuary (Sach Khand).
Sach Khand (The Realm of Truth): Absolute Truth reigns supreme here. With God’s Grace, the blessed can see numerous planets, solar systems and galaxies, the scenes are beyond human expression, there is no limit to His Creations.
Sarbat da Bhala
Further reading: (1) Japji Sahib – Pauris 34 – 37, under Gurbani Vichar (2) Five Realms – Articles General.