The spiritual quest is basically an
attempt to discover and realize the reality of one’s true existence. One has to
realize the fact that , the mind as a whole, not as a separate thing. Through deeper self-search one has to discover and realize the fact that, the mind is an illusion. In the realm of truth there is no mind. No mind
means no duality.
Consciousness is the
substance and the witness of the duality.
The duality is present in the form of mind. The mind is present in the
form of the universe. The universe appears as waking or dream and diapers as
deep sleep. The one which is aware of the coming and going of the three states
is neither the waking entity nor the dream entity but the formless soul, which
is present in the form of consciousness. When the soul becomes aware of its formless non-dual true nature in the midst of duality it is called self –awareness. It is
foolish to limit the consciousness only to duality because the consciousness
pervades all the three states.
The ignorance is the cause of experiencing the illusory duality as reality. Thus eradicating the
ignorance is very much necessary. And
this is possible only through self-knowledge or Gnana. Thus, there is no other road to freedom
other than Gnana. There is no other
entrance other than except Gnana. The
ignorance will vanish only when the non-dual wisdom dawns.
That
is why Sage Sri Sankara indicated : - [Jnana Viheena
Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena] - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred
births, no matter which religious faith he follows. (Bhaja Govindam)
Then it is no use going roundabout way, trace the
Brahman which is the formless substance and the 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.
Thus, Self-Knowledge is
meant only for those who have intense urge, and courage to accept the truth
with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing with their
scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the
non-dual truth. Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other
than our own-selves to get the firm conviction.
Every religion has its own truth.
This is what makes everyone confused. Dialogue between believers, and
non-believers, whether atheists or agnostics, is an endless pursuit.
Followers of religion are not
prepared to accord an equal status to other faiths and would assert the
superiority of their own. Religion is only a school which teaches the art of
living to live in this world with its code of conduct and in fear of imaginary
concept of God. Thus it is a tool used in the past to condition the mind to be,
to behave, to believe, to live, to love within the cultured society judging
themselves what is right and what is wrong.
The unbelievers say there is no
truth in any religion. This discord between believers and Atheist is never
ending. From the ultimate standpoint there can be no such discord if one
discovers and realizes the true self is consciousness, which is formless
substance and the witness of the universe or mind.
The true Self that is formless consciousness
has no religion. The true Self which is consciousness is the same for all
religionists and Atheists. The question of discord is so swiftly settled if one
sticks to the true Self which is consciousness and learns to view and
judge the worldview on the standpoint of consciousness as self. There is no
doubt the multi religious and atheist conflicts and confusion will see its end
if one learns to view and judge the worldview on the standpoint of
consciousness,which is the ultimate truth.
Religion in theory, whether it is
theology, cosmology or metaphysics could cause confusion not only to the
beginners but also to the advance seekers of the truth. But seekers of the
truth have to understand religion, god glorification, scriptural studies and
yoga is nothing to do with truth seeking or spirituality. Since, the truth lies
beyond them all. The reason is that they are all egocentric. Therefore the
seeker has to know what is ego through deeper self-search.
