Meditation alone can unravel a new state of being, besides the states that are cyclically passed through, namely wakeful, sleep and dream states. Indeed, the purpose of meditation is to secure a grounding outside of the three natural states. The newly discovered state eventually obviates the need for all other states to remain as mutually exclusive. Ramana's inquiry teachings tells us to turn the mind inwards by holding on to the subjective personal "I", the "me" thought or tracing mind to the source wherefrom it rises and sets. Practicing  in this manner creates the Self inquiry state. Names and forms are first dissolved from perception in inward meditation, other sensory perceptions follow suit. After years of practice, the moment the seeker drops the eyelids, the phenomenal world including the body perception disappears, an irreversible shift. To intellectually grasp this subtle change, close your eyes and see! Even with closed eyes one continues to perceive the location, things, people and the contours of the physical body. All these are wiped out clean for good, if this  spiritual practice of introversion is undertaken for sufficiently long periods, as suggested by Ramana. The Self inquiry state gradually dawns, and the seeker is established in mind space, all alone, nothing to distract except thoughts and the intellect. Avesam and sphurana are the catalyst in bringing about the Self inquiry state. In Naan Yaar, Ramana declares at the very outset that the gross phenomenal space will disappear through inquiry to reveal the substratum, the Self. This shift to Self is unlikely for seekers, instead they have the mind space to continue inquiry. Once the Self inquiry state is established in pure mind space, Ramana tells you to continue inquiry with eyes open, for fifteen minutes a day. This advice was given to Frank Humphreys who must have reached this stage in inquiry. Having transcended the gross plane through Self inquiry, the stage is set in the mind space to eventually transcend the same and enter spiritual space. The last leap can not be through efforts, surrender is the way. It is easy to surrender in Self inquiry state, the seeker willingly gives up efforts. After all, the seeker is spent at this stage, heaves a sigh of relief and settles down in the the eye brows lock in total surrender. Meditation began in wakeful state takes the seeker to the Self inquiry state discarding the gross elements including the physical body. However efforts are needed to arrive at the Self inquiry state. My book details the whole process, beginning with the method suggested by Ramana in his own words.