The ‘I’ or ‘I AM’ is
intoxication of illusion. Until and unless one comes out of this intoxication
the self-realization is impossible. It is not ‘I AM THAT’ it is ‘SELF IS THAT’
because ‘I’ or ‘I AM’ is not the self.
“I “or “I AM” is not the
true self. “ I” or “I AM” is mere illusion. The self is not “I” or “I AM” but
the self is the formless witness or knower of “I” or “I AM”. Clinging to “I” or
“I AM” as self leads to hallucination.
People are not ready to investigate
and verify deeply to know the facts. They sentimentally involve with the
teacher and teaching and get stuck. They think they are self-realized because
they know “I AM THAT”.
Mind is consciousness, and consciousness is
mind . The three states are absorbed in
the consciousness.
Even
the Vedas indicate that the Self is consciousness:-
v
Tat tvam asi: -Thou art That (Sam Veda). “Self is that”
v
Prajnanam Brahma: - Consciousness is ultimate reality (Rig Veda).
v
Ayam Aatma Brahma: -The Self is ultimate truth (Atharva Veda).
v Aham
Brahma Asmi: -Self is ultimate reality (Yajur
veda).
People have the notion that more and more they gratify their
senses for attaining worldly pleasures, the happier they will be is not true at
all, because they think the physical self is real self, therefore they are
unaware of the fact that the self not physical but formless consciousness. The
consciousness can stay with or without the mind/’I’.
It is the illusory sense-pleasure that is responsible for the
forgetfulness of the Self, which is in the form of consciousness, which result
in one’s sorrows and sufferings.
Suffering is the
reminder to search for the remedy to overcome the suffering caused by the
ignorance of the true self. Pleasure is the cause of ignorance .but if the real
self is realized, and then, illusion will not prevails as reality.
Why do mortals then become attached to worldly pleasures in the
first place?
It is the illusion that allures one to enjoy the mundane objects
in a futile effort of satisfying the unceasing demands of his senses within the
waking or dream. A person within the illusion becomes intoxicated of lust,
greed, anger, attachment, false ego, enviousness, stubborn mindedness, and
their numerous variations within the illusion.
Consequently, the individual self gets caught in the
illusory cycle of birth, old age, disease, and death within the illusion. This
is illusion, by which the consciousness is forgotten; emotional attachment and
love of duality is born.
The ignorance of the true self is cause of duality. The duality
is cause of illusion. The illusion is the cause of experiencing unreality as
reality.
Because of this pluralistic phenomena of illusory -vision,
the material happiness appears to be followed by sorrow. If there is laughter,
there is a cry; if there is a birth, there is a death; if there is a rich,
there is a poor; so on and so forth.
Everything in the waking or dream experience is in the state of
constant flux; there can be found no everlasting happiness. The ego is in the
control of evil passions, evil intent, and duality.
Everyone wishes for happiness, pleasures, joy, peace, etc. and
none asks for suffering, misery, etc. But in the wake of pleasure, there comes
suffering. The pleasure and pain co-exists within the illusion. People do not understand this. Therefore, there is necessary to realize the
fact that mind, which appears as waking or dream is mere illusion.
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 waking entity or 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.
By becoming more and more intellectual one becomes more and more
intoxicated to individuality. The intellectuality is limited to duality. In realm of truth the intellectuality is
replaced by non-dual wisdom. There is
nothing exist other than formless non dual existence. Therefore, there is no individual to become sane or insane.
There is no second thing exists, other than consciousness. Everything is one, that is, unity in
diversity. The curiosity, urge cannot be imposed on others. it has to sprout within. One need not become
holy Shepard because the holy Shepard is within in to guide every seeker. Until
one is aiming to be a master, Guru or teacher, he will never reach his
destination. One has to share his knowledge with the fellow seeker not to make
them his followers but only direct them if they are interested to travel beyond
form, time and space. It is foolish to
impose our idea on others because everyone is not in same level of understanding. Every one's inner work is on. When they are
ripe enough they will understand, assimilate and realize on their own. If they are ready and sharp enough they will
grasp it instantly and they will reach their destination with lesser time and effort.
Thus preaching, teaching is not wisdom, but by very careful reasoning, seeker
has to determine the nature of reality. Thinking in right direction alone helps
seeker determining the nature of reality.
The sugar cannot know itself its sweetness. The true self without
ignorance is without the experience of duality or illusion. Thus one has to
base on the sugar not on its sweetness. Without the sugar there is no
sweetness. Similarly without the consciousness, the three states cease to exist
as reality.
Seeker of truth is in the in the quest of the knowledge of
ever being conscious of
eternality of one self , and understanding, assimilating and
realizing it inextricably linked to the
what constitute bondage and liberation.
Non-attachment for the three states is freedom or liberation from
experiencing the illusory birth, life, death and world as reality. Love for
practical life within the practical world is bondage.
By deeper thinking and realizing the self is not the form but self is formless consciousness and mentally
shifting the attention from the objectified subject to the formless subject
,which is consciousness the inner most self. By realizing the formless
consciousness as the inner most self, one realizes the consciousness alone
exists the three states are mere mirage created out of consciousness. Thus the three states are unreal created out
of consciousness, which alone is real.
The one who discriminates between the Real and the unreal, whose focus
of attention is turned away from the illusory physical existence, who possesses
calmness and who is longing for freedom from experiencing the illusion as
reality, is alone considered qualified to take path of reason.
People who are yearning for spiritual truth will not find it through
intellectual speculation and assumption. Intellectual truth is individual
truth. Love implies duality and love is individual feelings within the
falsehood. Love is necessary and valuable in the stated of ignorance but it is
not the means to acquire wisdom. Love is
religious tool to lead life in practical world.
And Religious truth is individual truth and it is not universal truth
because the religion is based on individuality.
It becomes
difficult for the orthodox cult to accept anything else as truth other than
their accepted belief, which they hold as truth. Although all religious
followers are participants alike in the spiritual endeavour of the world,
overzealous followers of each religion
are not prepared to accord equal status to other faiths and assert the
superiority of their own. Thus universal brother hood is total impossibility
because it is difficult to accept anything other than their inherited belief
system.
Most of the
pundits are egoic and they try to snub others who question them. They think they are unquestionable
authority. They quote the citation from
the scripters as proof without verifying the validity. All punditry is a great obstacle in realizing
the Advaitic truth expounded by the Sri, Sankara and Goudapada.
One finds lots of differences between Advaita preaching and practice.
There is need to bifurcate religion, concept of god and scriptures from
Advaitic philosophy to assimilate the essence of Advaita.
Sri, Sankara says in Brahma Sutras: that Brahman is the cause of the
world, whereas in Mandukya he denies it. This is because he says that at the
lower stage of understanding, the former teaching must be given, for people
will get frightened as they cannot understand how the world can be without a
cause, but to those in a higher stage, the truth of non-causality can be
revealed.
Sri, Sankara himself has warned us not to use ambiguous words, and to
practice semantic analysis in his book "Definition of one's own Self.
[" Page 199, v.24 of "Sankara's Selected Works]
Sri, Sankara founded his Advaita
Vedanta either on reason independent of sruti or on sruti confirmed by
reason." Sri, Sankara's commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad,
II, 1: This [the unreality of duality] is borne out by the Srutis
... But it is possible also to show the unreality of the object world even from
pure reasoning, and this second chapter is undertaken for that purpose.
Sri, Sankara himself had often said that his philosophy was based on Sruti,
or revealed scripture. This may be because Sri, Sankara addressed the
ordinary man, who finds security in the idea of causality and thus in the idea
of God—and Revelation is indispensable to prove the latter. He believed
that those of superior intelligence, have no need of this idea of divine
causality, and can therefore dispense with Sruti and arrive at the
truth of Non-Dualism by pure reason.
Non-duality 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.
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.
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.
Gaudapada says :- the merciful Veda teaches karma and upaasana to
people of lower and middling intellect, while jnana is taught to those of
higher intellect.
So they clearly indicate rituals and
theories are not meant for those who are searching for the higher knowledge or
wisdom.
All the orthodox Advaitins indulge
and immersed themselves in ritualistic oriented life style and preach
theoretical philosophies which are obstacle in realizing the Advaitic
truth. Many chose these orthodox
scholars as their gurus. But these gurus are good to learn the conceptual
Advaita meant for those orthodox who believe their conduct oriented life style
leads to liberation. But those who are
seeking truth have to do their own homework in order to acquire self-knowledge.
That is why in Ish Upanishads declares :-
Vidya and Avidya both are hindrances
to Self-knowledge, but Vidya is even worse than Avidya. The word Vidya is used here in a
special sense; here it means worshipping gods and goddesses. By worshipping
gods and goddesses you will go after death to the world of gods and goddesses.
But will that help you? The time you spend there is wasted, because if you were
not there you could have spent that time moving forward towards Self-knowledge, which is your goal. In
the world of gods and goddesses you cannot do that, and thus you go deeper and
deeper into darkness.
Avidya is Karma and therefore a hindrance. You
perform Avidya - i.e., you perform
Agnihotra and other sacrifices. This is a roundabout way of purifying the mind,
and it is also groping in the dark. But it may not have as heavy a toll on your
time and energy as the other.
Therefore,
self-realization is necessary in order to realize the ultimate truth or
god. Self-realization is real God
realization.
People are ignorant and they are unaware of the reality of their true
existence. Man and his experience of universe is simply a mirage created out
of the consciousness, Consciousness is
the real Self, the real Atman, is the reality.
That is
why in Mundaka Upanishad indicates: - The rituals and the sacrifices
described in the Vedas deal with lower knowledge. The sages ignored these
rituals and went in search of higher knowledge. ... Such rituals are unsafe
rafts for crossing The sea of samsara, of birth and death. Doomed to shipwreck
are those who try to cross The sea of samsara on these poor rafts. Ignorant of
their own ignorance, yet wise In their own esteem, these deluded men Proud of
their vain learning go round and round Like the blind led by the blind.
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/ Atman, which is the
true self. Atman 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 or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana in lesser time and effort. The unity in diversity is possible only
through Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana not by mastering the scriptural knowledge.
One has to bifurcate the physicalized Advaita or orthodoxy 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 non-duality which is based on the formless soul. The path of inquiry,
analysis and reasoning on the true base, leads one towards the non-dual
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.
Even Ramana
Maharishi also 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].
Ramana
Maharishi says:
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].
This surely indicates Sri, Ramana Maharishi’s path is independent path
nothing to with the religion and scriptures.
Even
Upanishad say:
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 Atman 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]
The scriptures indicate that Atman
is Brahman, and Brahman is ultimate truth. Therefore the soul, which is in the
form of consciousness, is ultimate truth. Thus to realize the ultimate
truth is the prime goal. A well-directed inquiry, analysis and
reasoning will lead one to his non-dual destination.
Self-Realization
is direct realization of the ultimate truth or real god, in contrast with
traditional paths, which are indirect. And the other paths cannot lead to the
ultimate destination because they are based on the false self, which they hold
as real self and false experience as reality.
Until and unless
one overcomes physical shackle it is impossible to understand and assimilate
the nondual truth, which is beyond the physical existence or the universe. Consciousness itself is lord of itself though
not of the universe. And having nothing it has all.
Gaudapada quotes from the
Upanishads: "There's no plurality here"; "The Lord [Atman] through
his powers appears to be many"; "those who are attached to creation
or production or origination go to utter darkness"; "the unborn is
never reborn, for who can produce him [Atman]?”
It is only who base on ‘I’ or ‘I AM’ as self, argue and quarrel amongst
themselves. The people who are fully aware of the fact that, the form, time and
space are mere mirage created out of consciousness have no reason to quarrel,
because for them everything is consciousness and no second thing exist other
than consciousness.
2
The one who discriminates between the Real and the unreal, whose focus
of attention is turned away from the illusory physical existence, who possesses
calmness and who is longing for freedom from experiencing the illusion as
reality, is alone considered qualified to take path of reason.
Enumerated
discrimination between the Real and the unreal yearning for freedom . A firm
conviction to the effect that the soul, which is in the form of consciousness,
is real and the mind, which is in the form of universe is unreal, is designated as discrimination
between the Real and the unreal.
The ‘I’ or ‘I Am’ are mere
words. The reality is beyond thoughts
and words. The words have meaning in duality. Duality exists until mind exists.
Mind exists where there is division of form, time and space. If there is no
division of form, time and space, than there is no mind. Words are used as a
tool to name individual objects and feelings within the duality. The words
become meaningless when one becomes aware of the formless substance of the
mind, which is consciousness. Consciousness is our inner most self. From the
standpoint of our inner most self, the mind is mere mirage.
If mind is mere mirage then the form, time and space are mere mirage. If
form, time and space are mere mirage than the thoughts and words which rises
within the scope of form, time and space are also part and parcel of that
mirage. Thus body, ego, words, thoughts, and whatever the contents of the
universe are within the mirage created out of single stuff that is
consciousness. Thus it is necessary to know 'What is mind?' and 'What is the
substance of the mind?' and 'What is the source of the mind?', in order to
realize the words are meaningless in the realm of truth.
Deeper self-search revels the fact that, the ‘I’ is not the self. ‘I’ is in the form of mind. Mind is in the
form of universe. And universe appears as waking or dream and disappears as
deep sleep. The formless substance and
witness of the three states which is formless consciousness is the true self.
If the self is form [I or waking
or dream] than the evolution theory holds water. If the self is formless [soul]
than all the theories based on the form is of no value. Until one thinks 'I' or
I AM' as self all these theories cannot transport anyone beyond form, time and
space. The theory of evolution is based on individuality, whereas the self,
pervades in everything and everywhere in the universe. Individuality is reality
within the falsehood. Thus all the theory based on individuality is bound to be
falsehood. Thus our judgment and reason and conclusion has to be based on
formless self not on the form[I] as self to realize Illusion is where one is
bound to:
Freedom is becoming free from experiencing the illusion or duality as
reality by realizing the fact that, the self is not the form but self is
formless. It is possible to realize this without realizing the fact
that, the individual self or ego is reality within the false experience. Thus all the knowledge accumulated by judging
on the base of false self, is false knowledge.
The ‘I’ or ‘I AM’ is physical prison.
If ‘I’ is not the physical body, what is it?
Since the sense of ‘I’ is present only when the
mind is present and it disappears along with mind. The seeker will come to
conclusion after thoroughly verifying this fact through inquiry, analysis and
reasoning and then come to firm conviction that ‘I’ is mind.
If ‘I’ is mind and mind is universe and universe
appears as waking or dream are one and the same thing.
It is wrong to identify the self as he or she
because it refers to physicality. The self is genderless because it is
formless. Identifying “Self” as he or she, leads to all sorts’ of doubts
and confusion. When the self is identified as he or she it becomes
physical self /ego.
When the ego is not the self, it is erroneous to
judge the truth on the base of ego/physical self and come to some conclusion of
finality on the physical base is erroneous because the truth is prior
appearance of the physical existence. Thus, the truth has to be judged on the
ultimate point of view, not on the base of what appeared later on.
Man has been conditioned to think and be and behave
and believe and live as an individual separate from the world. Therefore, the
self has been identified with physical body with the name within the waking
experience.
The ‘mind’ is the Waking or dream experience. The
Waking or dream is not the experience of the physical body but of the
Soul/Self. The man and his world are within the mind; therefore mind is not
within the brain. This has to be understood to assimilate the self-knowledge.
Without understanding this fact the assimilation is impossibility.
The nature of the Self is formless non-dual.
The nature of the mind is duality or diversity. The self is the formless
substance of the mind /duality /diversity. Therefore, the whole experience of
the diversity created out of single stuff. Therefore, there is no
division in ultimate standpoint is the self, which in the form of
consciousness. Viewing the worldview on the base of the physical self is the
cause of division and separation.
When the seekers become aware of the
fact that the true self is not physical but the soul, he becomes aware of the
fact that the mind is mere illusion. The one who is ignorant of the true
self experiences the duality as reality.
A person perceives the world within the mind.
Absent of mind is absent of waking or dream. Thus waking or dream is
mind.
One thinks he is an individual separate from the
world within the mind. He is unaware of the fact that the mind is not within
his brain, but he and his experience of the world are within the mind.
Thus, he thinks he is born in this world and world existed prior to him.
Thus this conviction makes him believe the birth, life and death as
reality. Until this conviction is thee he will views
and judges the worldview on the physical base, which is the cause of ignorance
of the fact that, the true self is the soul.
This ignorance of the true self is the main hurdle
in pursuit of truth. Therefore, it is very much necessary to rectify the
seeking base from physical [form] to spirit [formless] before proceeding
further in pursuit of truth.
If the seeking base is not rectified it will lead
one towards hallucination. When the mind itself is myth then the man and his
experience of the world is bound to be myth. Therefore perfect understanding of
the mind will help one to unfold the mystery of the mind. It is
impossible to unfold the truth on the base of false self within the false
experience, because the truth is prior to the appearance of the
falsehood. And falsehood creates ignorance.
Seeker has to burn down the ignorance by rectifying
the base of reasoning by realizing the fact that self is not physical but it is
the formless consciousness.
THE ‘I’ OR ‘I AM’ IS CAUSE OF THE IN IGNORANCE.
Thus one has to get rid of the ignorance by overcoming the intoxication of ‘I’
or I AM which intoxication stuff in pursuit of truth is.
That is why Sri, Sankara says in( VC) :-
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.
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 splendor 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.
People who are yearning for spiritual truth will not find it through
intellectual speculation and assumption. Intellectual truth is individual
truth. Love implies duality and love is individual feelings within the
falsehood. Love is necessary and valuable in the stated of ignorance but it is
not the means to acquire wisdom. Love is
religious tool to lead life in practical world.
And Religious truth is individual truth and it is not universal truth
because the religion is based on individuality.
