Even if we believe that there is a psychic discernment and a mental discernment, the advaitins will say that all discernment comes from the intellectual part of the mind. So I was wondering if they use their mind to bring down intuition and then pole vault into to the Brahman.
Intellectual discernment between what is true and of lasting value and what temporary and transient helps the mind detach from surface appearance. It also develops a sattwic or philosophical vairagya towards the world which is, to the traditional gnana yogi a snare. It helps the consciousness to disentangle from sensory perception which then allows the mind to contemplate upon the Eternal. It helps the mind to engage with the deeper Reality through sravana, manana, and then hold it in a deepest contemplation, nididhyasana. It helps the mind get refined and the mental substance subtler leading at first to a quietening and quickening and a freer play of the intelligence released from the bondage to gross material objects. If deepened then the mind enters into a state of wide impersonality that is often mistaken for the ultimate Reality since the mind can go no further except in trance if it manages to cut off all bonds with the world of name and form. There is no real awakening of intuition though it does open doors to its possibility. The average Vedantin however hardly cares for that. He is satisfied with the impersonality and the sagelike peace and contentment that comes. This is at best a distant mental reflection of Brahman. No mere mental effort can take to the Brahman unless the Brahman itself choses to reveal itself to the ardour of the seeker.
Psychic discernment is different. It is not a distinction between the lasting and the transient but a distinction between the true and the false. It shows us the right value of things in the world of relativities, the presence of the Divine in the creation, the inner guidance, the intuitive perception and understanding of the Divine in the world play. It reveals to us the immanent Divine behind forms and names, the purpose of the play, the work one is here to do, the meaning of our life. It shows us the truth hidden behind the word of the Scripture. By opening to the universal consciousness it reveals the glory and beauty and greatness of God in the Manifestation. The realisations through the psychic door is very different and in certain ways more complete and delightful unraveling all the mysteries of God.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
