Self-realisation Vs God-realisation

This is a direct posting of Prabhu.

We have two aspects of our being - Head and Heart. Head represents the intellect and Heart represents the mind ( manas, chitta etc). Accordingly there are two realizations which can happen.
a). Heart Realization
- Heart includes chitta and manas ( Subconcious). Subconcious is 95% of our personality. It over powers us with memories and concepts. Subconcious purification happens in many ways.
a). Prayer b). Anusthana c). Upasana d). Listening to Stories of Lord ( Harikatha, Purana - designed for direct appeal to Heart). e). Bhajans f). selfless service - Karmayoga/yajna g). Devotion - Bhakti. h). Purification of Chakras - As per Yoga/Tantra.
Impurities or Demons in Subconcious are - Fear, shame, guilt, grief, doership, enjoyership,( Aham Karta, Bhokta, Jnata)Result of Purification of Subconcious are - Reduction of unwanted thoughts, deeper feeling of tranquillity. Result of purification are - Sadhana Sampatthi - Shama, dama, tititksha and Uparati.
Realization of Heart - Deep feeling of oneness of the Universe, Feeling that whole universe is one family ( Vasudaiva kutumbakam), Overflowing joy, tears, elation. I call this as God Realization. (Realization of Ishvara - Saguna Brahman). Realizations include, I am not the doer, I am not the enjoyer ( Naham Karta, Naham Bhokta, Naham Jnata - God alone is - Harireva karta, Harireva Bhokta, Harireva Jnata).
Samadhi - The intellect now is free from clutches of limited ego but still biased by Universal values, feeling of oneness. In yogic terms this can be called Savikalpa Samadhi.
Limitations of this Realization : Heart realization is a beautiful realization. The ego sense expands to fill the whole universe. Still the vritti of mind remains since basic Avidya is not gone.
Mukti or liberation - This falls into category of Krama mukti - gradual liberation. One experiences Salokya, Sameepya and Saroopya state of liberation. After death one goes to Higher Lokas of the deity he has done Upasana.

b). Head Realization
Head means - Intellect and ahamkara (ego sense)
Prequalifications for Head Realization are - purification of Subconcious, Shama, Dama, Titiksha and Uparati - Sadhana Sampatti.
This is the cleaning of the intellect. Intellect is influenced by Ahamkara - ego sense. In Heart Realization, ego sense doesnot disappear. Practices during this stage are :a). Shravana - Listening to Vedanta.b). Manana - Understanding of Vedanta Vakyac). Nidhidhyasana - Contemplation on Vedanta Vakya.
Impurities or Demons in Head are - Ego sense, feeling of seperation from universe, self identity, personality, spiritual identity ( I am devotee, Dwaitin, Advaitin etc). Illusions of perception is affecting the intellect.
Results of Purification of Head are - Clear understanding that I am not - Neti, Neti etc. Disappearance of ego sense - a state of total egolessness. Total freedom from illusion. Establishment in witness conciousness. Realization of Head : I am not the doer, I am not the enjoyer, I am not the knower. ( Naham karta, bhokta, Jnata). I am pure Chaitanya - Pure awareness. I am Brahman ( Aham Brahmasmi).
Samadhi - Intellect becomes totally free from ego. It gets established in Sakshi - Witness. This is called Sama+Dhi - balanced intellect. Such a person becomes - Sthita prajna - one who is established in wisdom. Such a person gets established in Sahaja Samadhi - Natural state. This is also called Nirvikalpa samadhi.
Effect of This realization - There is no limitation. This is final Liberation. Liberation from all bondages. However, body will continue to function according to Prarabhda till the life lasts. A musician will continue to be a musician after liberation. But his music will be divine.A speaker will continue to be a speaker. But his speach will be tinged with deep wisdom which cannot be found in books.
He no longer needs scriptures (Vedanta) for guidance. What he speaks becomes Vedanta - Upanishad.
Mukti or Liberation - Such a person becomes Jivan Mukta one who is liberated while alive. This is called Nirvana. He lives in a state of No mind. Even though mind creates thoughts in him, the key "i" thought due to ego sense is missing. He is not affected by thoughts like a sky which is not affected by clouds.