क्रम मुक्ति (krama mukti) and जीवन्मुक्ति (jIvanmukti)

क्रम मुक्ति (karma mukti) as the name implies, literally means liberation in sequence (krama means in sequence), and it applies to liberation at the time of disembodiment (death) where the sequence of prArabdha karma has played out in this embodiment. जीवन्मुक्ति (jIvanmukti) on the other hand means liberation while still embodied.

Now the krama mukta has to repeatedly access the 'exit door' to liberation through dhyAnam and samAdhi, where by ascending kuNdalini shakti to the sahasrAra, the mind is brought to rest and reminded of the Absolute, and those samskAras tend to inhibit the other samskAras of avidyA. So the krama mukta daily checks the 'exit door' and reminds himself or herself of the path to liberation. On the other hand, the jIvanmukta has permanently left the 'exit door'. The mind has so completely been extinguished that complete freedom is at hand. However, this state would actually be difficult for the jIvanmukta's near and dear to comprehend and adjust to. To him, everyone appears the same, and there is no attachment to home, body, relations or wearing clothing or not wearing clothing.

But such a person is completely free and immediately and eternally in Bliss. Of course, whether one is granted one or the other is also strictly speaking not in one's hands. For me the daily reminder of sAdhanA is needed to check the path to the 'exit door', and to remove the algae of daily experience that covers up the clear water of discrimination that is so evident in sAdhanA.

Above all in sAdhanA, remember that the path of exit is up the spine through the sushUmna, and so that sushUmna needs to be activated. Both Sri RAmakRshna and SwAmi RAmA (and SwAmiJ) emphasize that this is necessary for the true Light of Knowledge to dawn.

But along the way, reading and karma are useful and necessary as well.