Upanishads declare:- the
human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge and they indicate the personal gods,
scriptures, worship and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana, then why
anyone should indulge in it. The religion, concept of individualized god and
scriptures are greatest obstacle to realize non-dual truth or self-realization,
because they are based on false self. Therefore, one has to search
the ultimate truth without losing himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, he
should indulge in deeper self-search and assimilate and realize it.
Seekers goal is towards
Self-knowledge and noting other then it. Therefore, guru is needed in religious
and yogic paths which are meant for the people who are not searching for truth
but they are searching for worldly comforts and temporary peace in this
physical existence. They fear of losing their physical identity and
all that is connected to the physical identity. When one realizes the physical
identity [ego] is false self and the true identity is the soul, which is in the
form consciousness, then he realizes that the fear factor is limited to the
false self within the false experience. When the self is not form but formless
consciousness all the burden and bondage of the duality is mere mirage created
out of consciousness.
How does one get this self-knowledge?
What is meant by self- knowledge? These are the questions which seeker has to
find answer for.
Merely logical methods are insufficient
for inquiry because they will not yield absolute certainty. One needs to
indulge in deeper self-search.
If one thinks authoritarianism as a
source of knowledge means he is in the grip of orthodox slavery. People who
compile philosophical books on a basis of quoting from others as authorities
are compiling useless venture, from ultimate standpoint. But in practical life
in practical world, for empirical purposes authorities are acceptable, because
they are experts in such specialized knowledge.
It is possible to get some knowledge
through intuition, as we do through various other sources, as the senses, etc.
but the question will still arise, “Is this true knowledge?” Even sense
observation must be checked for truth because one has to get intuition based on
nonduality not the dualistic based intuition.
In deeper self-search arise from doubts.
Inquiry implies doubt, proof, evidence, so that even if God were to come and
say that He is God, one would inquire into the truth of the statement.
People are overawed by doctrines
enunciated upon authority of some sage or saint or institution or scripture. But
one has to verify all the facts from every point of view: How does he or it
know? Truth must be tested. If it is true, it will survive the test and will
bear proof, but everything else must inevitably find the props of priest-
crafted authority to support it.
How is one to know that this is Truth? The
test has to be universally applicable, which means--will it be true in every
other part of the universe, will it be true in until form, time and space
exists.
Will it be true for all people who
pursue deeper self-search to the utmost extent? An idea often appears to be a
reality when it is not properly inquired into. Even if whole population of the universe
declare that this world is the ultimate reality, their assertion is of less
value than the assertions of a Gnani who have inquired into the nature and
reality of the universe and found it to be mere mirage created out of
consciousness.
Ultimate Truth takes things as they are.
If there is any uncertainty it is not truth. It does not deal with speculations
and imaginations, such as “this universe is illusion,” "the next world is
around us” etc. one has not the scientific attitude because they take things as
presented to them. They have rather the emotional and sentimental attitude. The
right attitude is to verify all the facts, to see a problem in them, something
to investigate deeply and inquire into them.
Truth must be verifiable; it is no use
saying "the truth has intuitively reveled to me." It must be possible
for everyone to see also. Unless it is verifiable it is of no value. Those who lack the capacity to doubt are not
fit for pursuit of truth.
The reason has to be based on the
formless self not on the ego, which is false self, within the false experience.
Analogical, inductive and deductive reasoning are good only within limitation
of duality; none are absolutely and universally infallible because they must
work under certain conditions. The orthodox
says: Believe! and one will be saved. The Gnani says: Doubt! and one will be saved.
Many people have the desire to know the truth but the capacity to understand is limited. The result is that people
resolve the conflict by jumping to the first and simplest and easiest
conclusion as the correct one, and smugly but unjustifiably thinking “They know”:
Thus they commit the fallacy of primitivity.
Seeker of truth should always need proof
of every teacher, pundit or yogi for their declaration. He has to verify on his
own without indulging in pursuit of argument whether they are based on
dualistic view point or whether they are based on non-dualistic view
point. Accept only non-dualistic
viewpoint which is based on the formless self by accepting dualistic vie point,
which is based on the form as self.
If the mystics says that one can know spirit, ultimate truth, nondual reality, etc. only by intuition and not by
intellect the reply is : one can
one know everything in duality alone;
when one is asleep he cannot know
anything by intuition, because there is no duality there.
This proves that if
there be such a faculty as intuition is operative within the realm of duality , and when yogis talks of discovering the supra-mental
consciousness, who or what is there, to discover it because the mind or duality
is not there? It is an absurd statement.
The psychological writings of mystics
and the pseudo-scientific explanations of yogis are not inferences from the
facts of their mystic experiences but mere imaginations because any such
experience is possible only within the duality, which is mere illusion.
Only the ignorant mystic claims he has
cosmic consciousness implies that he has gone to the other planet and seen that
this consciousness was also there; he has gone to the galaxy seen it there, such
claims are mere hallucination based on the false self.
Even to this day many people believe in
the mythological stories to be true; that is because they have not got perfect
reasoning faculty.
Until a doctrine or claim is proved to
be to be true it is of no value. Until then one must not accept it. Most of the
people are ignorant and trust the people who claim to know God. They are
deceived by the fallacy of authority, whether it be outer or inner, and do not
judge for themselves as to what is true or not. Mentality of people is still
primitive or infancy stages. They are unable to think beyond form, time and
space.
Logic leads to practical truth; it
cannot lead one to ultimate truth because logic is based on physicality. Here
reason alone can guide one to ultimate end. When logic is applied beyond its
proper limits, i.e. practical life within the practical world, it becomes
absurd.
The
dualists are examples of this absurdity, when they say one cannot have a watch
without a watchmaker and hence a world without a creator. It is a
misapplication of such logic to apply it to matters outside its proper sphere
of use.
It is impossible to have a mind which is
non-logical, i.e. without some kind of logic. Even mentally challenged people
try to draw inferences, only they are illogical, i.e. draw them wrongly. Everyone
thinks logically or illogically, never non-logically. But the intellectual
often confounds logic with reason.
Most people have inherited inborn tendency
to believe in the supernatural, belongs to its weaknesses.
Nobody denies that mystics have their
mystical experiences. But the question of their validity then arises because
they have such mystical experiences within the waking experience but waking
experience itself is mere illusion from ultimate stand point.
Every man says “I know?” What does he know?
This ‘I’ know business is most
dangerous. Pursuit of truth deals with
fact, truth and reality, not with religion, poetry and imagination. Hence it
does not trouble itself with unseen heavens beyond this world but rather with
this seen world and everything that is in it. Dualistic cults ask one believe
in their theories and imagine, but in pursuit of truth the onus is on the
propagator to prove such claims.
One who goes on telling of unseen planes
which he has never seen, who goes on merely imagining and is unable to prove it
when questioned, is really laying or hallucinating. .
In pursuit of truth one has to appeal to
reason, and not to intuition, belief, authority etc. Because of its universality, because all over
the world and in all times there is only a single rational truth, because
reason is the only way to obtain worldwide agreement amongst all peoples, races
,religion, cult and creed nations, groups etc. Faith, intuition etc.
varies tremendously in its imagined doctrines, scripture is interpreted by every
man as he likes, but reason cannot vary in its truth.
One has to verify his own understanding
and views are true by deeper self-search. Intuition when used by mystics and yogis
means mere blah, blah based on the physical self or ego.
The Yogic exercises are useful in
particle life within the practical world. If done in the proper way they have
their own value for those whose, grasping faculty is not sharp enough. If yoga
is considered as tool to Self-Realization, then they are being misled. Yoga is helpful
only in preparatory stages. When yoga regarded as an end, not a means then they
become hindrances and errors for they cannot give truth.
Sri, Sankara says in VivekaChudamani :-
56. Neither by
Yoga, nor by Sankhya, nor by work, nor by learning, but by the realisation 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 realisation one cannot be liberated by the mere
utterance of the word Brahman.
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.
64. Without
killing one’s enemies, and possessing oneself of the splendour of the entire
surrounding region, one cannot claim to be an emperor by merely saying, ‘I am
an emperor’.
65. As a treasure
hidden underground requires (for its extraction) competent instruction,
excavation, the removal of stones and other such things lying above it and
(finally) grasping, but never comes out by being (merely) called out by name,
so the transparent Truth of the self, which is hidden by Maya and its effects,
is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman, followed by
reflection, meditation and so forth, but not through perverted arguments.
66. Therefore the
wise should, as in the case of disease and the like, personally strive by all
the means in their power to be free from the bondage of repeated births and
deaths.
67. The question
that thou hast asked today is excellent, approved by those versed in the
Scriptures, aphoristic, pregnant with meaning and fit to be known by the
seekers after Liberation.
Pursuit of argument is not pursuit of
truth. Agreeing and disagreeing with each other’s views will not yield nondual
wisdom. Healthy discussion on the subject and humility and patience and
friendly interaction will only help seeker in his inner journey. Just by criticizing any masters or teachers
of the past, the wisdom will not dawn. Many masters and their teaching of the past
have contributed to seeking world in their own way. Some may find some teachers view or teaching
are inadequate and useless in quenching the spiritual thirst. It is for the
seeker to highlight on what standpoint they are inadequate and useless and how
they are blocking his realization. Mutual
respect to each other is necessary in spiritual interaction.
The path of religion, path of yoga
and the path of wisdom were intended for different classes of people. The
wisdom is for the advanced seekers of truth. It deals with the nature of the
ultimate Truth and Reality. It is meant for superior aspirants who have inner
urge to know the truth and it is not for those who are immersed in earthly
desires.
To understand, assimilate the nondual
truth needs a totally different kind of approach. There is no need to
convince others but one has to get firm conviction of the truth for himself. If
one is receptive and sharp he will be able to grasp it. Even Upanishads clearly declares:-
Mediocre minds waste their time on
arguing about unimportant matters. Accumulation of scriptural knowledge is
dangerous in pursuit of truth. Seeker has to establish in the truth of
Non-duality by sheer reasoning alone. Seeker has to begin by defining
"What is real?" "What is unreal?" etc, because that is the
right way to discuss, understand and assimilate self-knowledge. Thus seeker has to remove all the blockades which
are blocking his realization.
Katha Upanishad:
This Ataman cannot be attained by the study of the
Vedas, or by intelligence, or
by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Ataman
reveals Its own form. [Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20]
Mundaka Upanishad :-
This Ataman cannot be attained through study of the
Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses
Ataman—by him alone is Ataman attained. It is Ataman that reveals to the seeker
Its true nature. [ 3 –page-70 Mundaka Upanishad Upanishads by Nikilanada]
Sri, Ramana Maharishi said: scriptural
knowledge is conceptual divisions invented by teachers of philosophy by their
excessive analysis. Where do all these concepts end? Why should confusion
created and then explained away? Fortunate is the man who does not lose himself
in the labyrinths of philosophy, but goes straight to the source from which
they all arise.
Ramana Maharishi
indicated the direct path to the truth, is the source from which the false
arises. Thus the source is the soul/ Ataman, which is the true self. Ataman
itself is Brahman. Thus it is necessary
to view the worldview on the base of the source, which the true self, and
formless substance and witness of the experience of diversity. Thus deeper
inquiry, analysis and reasoning on the true base, one can acquire the self
–knowledge in lesser time and effort.
The unity in diversity is possible only through self-knowledge not by
mastering the scriptural knowledge.
One has to
bifurcate the physicalized Advitha [religious add-ons] which is meant for the mass mind set, who
are incapable inquire to verifying their inherited beliefs. But for the seekers truth, to get the pure
essence of nonduality which is based on the formless soul. The path of inquiry,
analysis and reasoning on the true base, leads one towards the nondual
destination. Therefore, there is need to
rectify the seeking base from ego base to soul base to understand, assimilate
and realize the non-dual truth.
Ramana Maharishi says: this self –inquiry is not the critical study of the
scriptures. When the source is reached the ego gets merged into it. The result
of self-inquiry is the cure for all the sorrows. It is the highest of all the
results. There is nothing greater then it.
It only indicates there is no necessity to study the scriptures to
acquire self-knowledge. [Page-66-practicle guide to know yourself c/e by A.R.N].
Q by D:- Is not
necessary to study the Vedas or at least the Prasthanatraya [the Bhagavad
Gita,Dasopanishad and Brahma Sutras, all with commentaries]to ensure firm
realization?
Ramana Maharishi:-No. Do you need all that to see yourself? All that is
intellectual wealth, useful in explain doubts and difficulties if others rise
them or if you yourself encounter them in the course of thinking. But to attain
realization, all that is not necessary. You want fresh water to drink, but you
do not require all the water of the river Ganges to quench your thirst. [Page 111/112 of Practical guide to know yourself c/e by A.R.N].
Nonduality does not need the support of any Scripture or Revelation like
the Veda. For it is based, not upon the varying theological fancies, which are
as numerous as the sands of the sea, but upon reason, the common heritage of
all mankind, irrespective of colour or creed or clime.
Seeker of truth has to know that something is inadequate in Buddhist or
Advaitic teachings to reach the nondual destination because of the add-ons and
adulteration. Thus it becomes difficult to reach destination directed by the
Buddha, Sri, Sankara and Sri,Goudapada.
It is for the seeker to go on
his own and remove the obstacle. The greatest hindrance is mixing
religion, god, scriptures, and yogic theories. Moreover, attachment to
scriptures, personal god and religious code of conduct keeps one permanently in
the grip of duality.
For the same reason Raman Maharshi said: fortunate are the one who
do not lose themselves in the labyrinths of philosophy. Bhagwan says: Take
Vedanta, for instance: it speaks of 15 pranas the names and functions of
it which the student is asked to commit memory. Will it not be
sufficient if he thought, only one prana does the whole work of maintaining the
body? Again the antakaran is said to think, to desire, to will, to reason etc.
Why all these details? Has anyone seen antakarana, or all these pranas? Do they
really exist? They are conceptual divisions invented by teachers of philosophy
by their excessive analysis. Where do all these concepts end? Why should
confusion created and then explained away? Fortunate is the man who does not
lose himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, but goes straight to the source from
which they all arise. (GURU RAMANA .By S.S Cohen -vii Danger of philosophy-Page -58-59)
One is seeking truth for himself, thus it is very personal journey of
verification. Truth has to be ascertained and proved for his own
realization. Path of wisdom path is
independent path nothing to do with the religion and scriptures. Thus seeker has to indulge in deeper
self-search to understand assimilate and realize non-dual truth by avoiding the
path of argument and perversion, which leads nowhere. Share each other’s view with respecting each
other and inspiring everyone. Thus let us use the precious time to know our
true identity which is beyond form, time and space.
