The Soul is the ultimate truth. The Soul is self-evident. It is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny the soul, because It is the very essence of the one who denies It. The soul is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions and proofs. Soul is the true self . Self is within, Self is without; Self is before, Self is behind; Self is on the right, Self is on the left; Self is above and Self is below.
Soul, the innermost Self is not an object, as It is invisible, beyond the reach of the eyes. the soul is present in the form of consciousness. Soul, the innermost Self is whole , infinite, changeless, self-existent, self-delight, self-knowledge. It is, essence. It is the essence of the knower of the physical existence. It is the formless witness of the three states.
Soul, the innermost Self is supreme and it is impersonal, without attributes, formless, , immutable, eternal and. It is above all needs and desires. It is always the Witnessing Subject. It can never become an object as It is beyond the reach of the physicality because it is prior to physicality . Soul, the innermost Self is non-dual, one without a second. It has no other beside It. It is destitute of difference, either external or internal. Soul, the innermost Self cannot be described, because description implies distinction. Soul, the innermost Self cannot be distinguished from any other than Itself.
The belief system is based on physicality. One has to dismantle physical structure mentally by realizing the fact that, the self is not physical but it is formless spirit, to overcome all conflicts and move towards the universal truth. Until one thinks body is one thing and world is another he will remain in ignorance. Only when he becomes aware of the fact that, the body and the world both are created out of single stuff, then there is unity in diversity in his understanding.
The individual self is not real, is not accepted by many. The non-dual wisdom is based not on the
individual self (ego). Until people hold
the ‘I’ as witness, they will not reach the ultimate understanding.
When
Upanishad itself declares:- sarvam
khalvidam brahma - all this (universe) is verily Brahman. By following back all
of the relative appearances in the world, we eventually return to that from
which it is all manifest – the non-dual reality (Chandogya Upanishad).
Then
it is no use going roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless
substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of mind. By tracing the source of the mind or universe
one will be able to realize the Brahman.
The true Self is not
perceptible to the senses. It is perceived by Reason. It is not perceptible as
a thing with form and attributes. To those whose attention is fixed on the body
and the world, it is very difficult to attain Self-knowledge. It is also very
difficult for them to see the consciousness as self. The attention towards the
universe [mind] should be lessened by realizing the self is not the body. The
attention has to be focused on the formless substance and witness of the
universe [mind] should be increased. So long as the attention is directed
towards the universe, the experience of birth, life and death will prevail as
reality. But when the attention is directed towards the formless witness, the
ignorance vanishes and sense of duality will disappear. Then there is unity in
diversity.
What is the state of the ego or physical self when it has
realized that the self is not the body? Such souls have attained their pristine
condition. “Self” is not visible to the physical eyes. “Self” is not to be
found in the world as a thing, entity or an object. Self is above these, has
neither beginning nor ending.
A visible object has a
beginning and an ending. Since Atman, which is in the form of consciousness is
invisible to the physical eye; Atman or consciousness is without beginning and
ending. Atman is always constant. Just as space is homogeneous everywhere, so
is the Atman the same everywhere.
But he who is truly wise Always sees the absolute Self.
Celebrated, he is not delighted. Spurned, he is not angry. Pure of heart, He
watches his own actions As if they were another's. How can praise or blame
disturb him?
- Ashtavakra
Gita 3:9-10
