"The
observer is the observed" It is difficult to understand it on the base of
ego, which is the false self within false experience because the egocentricity is
dualistic. The observer is the formless
subject and observed is an object to the formless subject. The object is the mind. Mind is in the form
of universe. Universe appears as waking or dream [duality] and disappears as
deep sleep [non-duality]. The
intellectuals only accept the subject as subject and object as object, because
they take ego as subject and world as an object. Therefore they are unaware of
the formless subject. Man and the world exist within the universe, which is an
object to the formless subject. The mind or universe is subject and object
together. The formless subject is hidden
within the universe as its formless substance and witness.
Witness and the witnessed
or observer and the observed are one in essence. Man and his experience of the world exists within
the witnessed or observed but man is unaware of the formless witness or observer because he belongs to witnessed or observed.
The judgment on
the false self within the false experience leads to hallucination based on
intellectuality. On the base of the soul[consciousness] as self, there is neither witness nor
witnessed and there is neither observer nor the
observed.
The intellectual
approach towards reality is that of division: the witness and the witnessed
have to be separate. Only then is there a possibility of knowledge between the
two. The scientist cannot become science; the scientist has to remain separate
from his invention based on the form, because the truth is beyond form, time and
space. The experimenter is not allowed to become the experiment itself because
all the experimenter and experiment are part of the duality or illusion. The
logic based intellectuality cannot transport the seeker to ultimate end because
intellectuality is based on individuality whereas the self is not an individual
because it pervades in everything and everywhere in all the three state. There is a knowing that goes beyond form, time
and space.
Self-knowledge is
knowledge beyond form, time and space; it is possible to acquire the self
–knowledge only when the seeker is able to think from a right direction.
Science divides
the whole of human experience and existence into two parts: the known and the
unknown. That which is known now was unknown in the past that which is unknown
today may become known in the future, but the knowledge of the true existence, which
is beyond form, time and space is impossible through laboratory conditions
because no scientific instrument reaches the inner core because the science,
scientists and scientific inventions cannot go beyond form, time and space
because science needs physical proof based on the physical self, whereas the
truth is beyond physicality. Until
science base itself on physical self or ego so the realization of ultimate
truth or Brahman is impossible. As the inner conviction starts growing and one
realizes the fact that the ‘self’ is not the form but formless consciousness,
than the truth starts revealing on its own. And as his knowledge grows the
inborn ignorance diminishes.
As he knows more
about the consciousness, which is inner most self, one starts becoming aware of
the reality of his true existence and unreal nature of the three states are
exposed.
If one follows the
right path, which is the path of the consciousness, which is the ultimate truth
or Brahman, the ultimate result will be that, when the reality appears this ignorance which one thinks as reality
becomes unreal.
For a Gnani there is be nothing left as unreality because everything is consciousness. As seekers understanding grows slowly, slowly, the unreality will change into the reality, and the moment will come when there is nothing left as unreality. That is the goal of pursuit of truth, to destroy ignorance -- but to destroy ignorance means to destroy all the obstacles which are blocking the realization of truth and move forward in mental or inner journey.
The destruction
of ignorance means the death of all intelligence which is based on
individuality, because there will be no need for egocentric intelligence because
it is replaced by the non-dual wisdom. The egocentric intelligence is useful
in the practical life within the practical world.
The consciousness
is the innermost self or God. It is possible everyone to realize consciousness,
which is ultimate truth or Brahman or God. In deed it is the goal of every seeker of
truth. The mind or universe sprung of from consciousness,
which the shore-less ocean of infinite power, knowledge.
In practical
world very few people care to think deeply of this vital question ‘what is
ultimate truth or Brahman or God. Only few feel the urge to know ‘what ultimate
truth is’. And still fewer have realized the truth with deeper self-search.
But ultimate truth is realized by only few. And Buddha
was right in saying: - There are only two mistakes one can
make along the road to truth: not going all the way... and not starting.
And people are stuck with their accumulated egocentric knowledge and also inherited samskara or conditioning without verifying their validity. And Buddha was right in his advice: - Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.
The soul centric inquiry goes beyond
form, time and space. Until one inquiry into the world which
confronts him it is impossible to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman.
That is why Sri, Sankara says in Viveka
Chudamani:-
63.
Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth
of the Self, how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word
Brahman ? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.
The orthodoxy scholars are stuck
with the scriptures holding the scriptures as yardstick the secondhand
knowledge inherited from one generation to the next.
That is why Sri, Sankara says in Viveka
Chudamani:-
56.
Neither by Yoga, nor by Sankhya, nor by work, nor by learning, but by the realization
of one's identity with Brahman is Liberation possible, and by no other means.
58.
Loud speech consisting of a shower of words, the skill in expounding the
Scriptures, and likewise erudition - these merely bring on a little personal
enjoyment to the scholar, but are no good for Liberation.
59. The
study of the Scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and
it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.
60. The
Scriptures consisting of many words are a dense forest which merely causes the
mind to ramble. Hence men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true
nature of the Self.
61. For
one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the
knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures,
Mantras (sacred formulae) and medicines to such a one?
62. A
disease does not leave off if one simply utter the name of the medicine,
without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be
liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.
That is
why In Mundaka Upanishad 1:2:8
“Remaining in the fold of ignorance
and thinking “we are extremely wise and learned,” the fools with boastful
nature ramble about like the blind led by the blind alone.”
The people who follow religion
think that by following their inherited religion is their duty. And questioning the guru or scholars is irreligious.
Thus they indulge in rituals and hearing
of religious discourses. They are weak and timid.
That is why Katha
Upanishad 1:2:23 The Soul cannot be
realized through hearing scholarly explanation of the discourses, not even by
the intellect.
Mundaka Upanishad 3:2:3
The Soul cannot be realized by the weak and timid.
Mundaka Upanishad:-
The study of the Vedas, linguistics, Rituals, astronomy and all the arts
Can be called lower knowledge. The higher Is that which leads to
Self-realization. The eye cannot see it; mind cannot grasp it. The deathless
Self has neither caste nor race, Neither eyes not ears nor hands nor feet.
Sages say this Self is infinite in the great And in the small, everlasting and
changeless, The source of life. .
In pursuit of truth the ultimate truth
has to be proved, not assumed. Pundits who take scriptures for granted are not
Gnanis.
When Advaita declares Atman and Brahman then direct realization of truth
is possible without the scriptures. Know
the soul to be the true self. And true self is in the form of consciousness and
realize consciousness as ultimate truth or Brahman.
Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the aim of every
human being. Since everyone thinks the physical body is the self their aim is
misdirected and they focus their attention on materiality which makes one feel
the duality [waking] as reality.
Therefore there is no need to study
scriptures, or indulge in god and guru glorification or performing religious
rituals. Since, they are not the means
to acquire non-dual wisdom. It is only waste of time and effort to indulge in
those things.
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’ [ego] 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
