There is nothing as sacred as Self-Knowledge or Knowledge of Brahman. Realization
of true self, drives way the ignorance. Self-Awareness frees ‘Self’ from the burden and bondage of illusory
duality. It is the self that is in
illusion. When it becomes aware of its formless non-dual true nature the universe is mere mirage
to the self which is formless and non-dual in its nature. Thus the thoughts and
words are part of the illusory existence.
Many
spiritual masters say that sticking to "I am" is way out from the
physical shackles. But that "I am" itself is creates the prison. The
one, which expresses itself as 'I', is not 'I' but it is formless
consciousness. Therefore the ‘I’ or ‘I AM’ is not the self. Considering the ‘I’
or ‘I AM as self is erroneous. The self,
which is in the form of consciousness cannot be called anything nor approached
because it is prior to anything that exists. When the consciousness is the
substance of the whole universe and its
contents thoughts and words and it is
not a thing or entity or identity within the physical existence but it pervades
the whole physical existence than it is erroneous to limit the ‘I’ to the
physical entity alone.
The existence of the soul, which is the true self
has to be, has to be grasped and assimilated.' I or 'I' am is mere illusory expression.
The
whole physical existence or universe is an illusory expression. Thus physical existence
or universe is mere illusion. The man and his experience of the world and his
belief of god are within the illusory expression. The diversity is created out of single
substance and knowing that single substance brings unity in diversity in
consciousness.
Thus experience of duality is mere illusion. That
is mind is an illusion. The one that has this illusion is the consciousness,
which is the innermost self.
Therefore
it is erroneous to seek truth on the base of 'I' because 'I' is not self. It
very much necessary to rectify the seeking base by proper understanding of the fact that ‘I’ or ‘I AM’ is not the self before indulging in the pursuit of truth.
As long
as a person has a firm conviction that 'I' is self, he will not be able to
understand ,assimilate and realize the non-dual truth, Because whatever
knowledge one assimilate he assimilates as a person, which adds to his existing
accumulated information. Therefore, seeker has to discover the fact that 'I' is
not the self but 'I' is the whole universe, which appears in the form of mind.
Universe is mere mirage. The duality is
experienced only when the universe is present. Thus universe is duality.
Consciousness is formless substance and witness of the universe. Thus
consciousness is the true self and cause of the universe but it itself is
uncaused because no second thing exist other than it.
It is
necessary to have firm conviction 'I' is not self but the formless
consciousness is the true self. To understand, assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.
It
is no use of finding fault with people. They are conditioned to view and judge
the worldview on the base of 'I' as self. They can only understand what they
are thought by their upbringing by parents, religion and society and
circumstances of life. They cannot think beyond. Thinking there are two ‘I’ is
erroneous. Many think there is big ‘I’
and another small ‘I’. Such ideas will not take anyone to the ultimate end of
understanding. And truth pursuit is not
for those who think religion and the yoga are the only means to
Self-Realization. Philosophical discussions, intellectual speculations, logical
conclusions will not lead one to the ultimate destination.
Most
of the saints and sages of the past are mostly social reformers, thus they are
more concerned to the humanism rather than the truth. Their contribution is
very valuable to live in the practical world.
Thus humanism is limited to practical life within the practical
world. The path of love is path for humanity
therefore it is individualized path. Thus path of love is limited to the
physical structure, it cannot transport one to ultimate end. Thus seeker has to understand the fact that
the practical life and practical world are part of the mirage from the ultimate
standpoint.
The
simple reason is that the average person may have desire for knowledge but when
the whole society is immersed in belief system and feeling himself out of place because of societal fear and
surroundings circumstances and he thinks it unfits him to pursue the path of
truth.
The
seeker of truth is one who is ready verify and has courage to accept and reject
the truth when he finds out what is truth and what is untruth. The meek will
stick to their inherited conditioning remain experiencing duality as reality.
Pursuit
of truth or spirituality is not suited for religionists and yogis who believe
in conceptual god. Because religious idea of god, world, heaven, hell, sin
karma ceases to exist as real when one becomes aware of the non-dual truth.
Seekers
who are ready to accept only truth have to indulge in the pursuit of truth. And
people who are satisfied with their faith and belief and accepted truth must
continue without disturbing their present outfit.
