1. Have an Interesting Snippet to Share : Click Here
    Dismiss Notice

Discovering Self

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by Viswamitra, May 1, 2015.

  1. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    13,370
    Likes Received:
    24,115
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Male
    How does one acquire the Supreme Knowledge that all are one and every being that is created have come from the same source? How does one move away from Satwic, Rajasic and Satwic guna into the fourth stage called Turya state? What is the difference between liberation and Self-realization? How does building one’s character helps the process of discovering Self? How does one feel so elevated at some rare moments and feel togetherness while most other times we feel deeply involved in the quagmire of daily life completely separated from the Truth? Is it just a moment of serendipity or a longing of Self to be liberated? What is the difference between awareness and consciousness?

    These questions keep cropping up every single day in my mind but without any clear answer. I am always in pursuit of answers to this questions and I search for answers from the teachings of divine beings and religion is no bar for me. Even if the answer comes from someone who does not believe in religion, it is perfectly acceptable to me. I have come to the conclusion that human mind can learn only through one or other ways among the four options i.e. a) Direct perception (Pratyaksha) or Inference (Anumana), or Comparison (Upamana) or Agama (Tradition). Direct perception can happen only as a result of constant Self-inquiry through what Ramana Maharishi suggested. For that one does not have to be a Recluse but needs to pursue Supreme Knowledge through constant persuasion of mind. One can attempt inference but the human mind that is perfectly capable of confusing us, does everything to pose more questions than answers. One can derive answers from comparison but what do we compare the Supreme Knowledge with? The only option that is open and available to us is reading the Scriptures and learning from them. Unfortunately, most Scriptures are in a language that is not spoken by us and we have to rely on interpretations made by others. Even if we learn the language in which Scriptures are written, we are limited by our own mind in grasping the traditional Teachings.

    The other option available to us is to do it on a trial and error basis with the help of a Spiritual Teacher (Guru). But a Guru only can find whether we are ready to receive Supreme Knowledge and can persuade us to learn the Supreme Knowledge but it is us who should seek the Supreme Knowledge with all of our heart. In fact, one should pose questions as in the first paragraph and find answers with the help of the Guru and through Self-inquiry. The attitude of becoming an instrument of the Lord through control of body and mind and building great character is definitely an option. Constantly helping the fellow beings through dedicated selfless service thereby creating a situation of being loved by one and all could make us experience Oneness. Constant persuasion of a name or form with a firm belief that would help us discover Self is another method. Sublime mind that is not affected by the turbulence of thoughts, desires and attachments appears to be essential for anyone of these options.

    If we can assume the human/God as a Lover, human/God as Loved, the act of unconditional Love emanating from either end is nothing but the Supreme Knowledge. All three are one and the same. Like how a Sculptor responded to a question, “How did you created Lord Krishna out of an ordinary stone?” by answering, “When everyone saw the stone, I saw Krishna and eliminated what is not Krishna in the stone.” Similarly, learning how to experience Self and unlearning what is not Self is critical. When we raise to our consciousness above the mind, we can explore the Turya State moving out of three gunas. The processes of achieving Self-realization is known as liberation whereas the result of such processes is known as Self-realization. Both are equally important. Therefore, building a good character is part of the processes towards our goal. The Aha moments we experience are not accidents and they are nothing but the longing of Self to be liberated. They are primarily visiting cards or reminders for us to understand who we really are. We are divine beings having human experience and not human beings having a divine experience. In order experience divinity, we have to eliminate our animal and human qualities.

    Experiencing the light that separated from the One and is longing to be one with the One without a second is the Supreme Knowledge. For that we have to eliminate the darkness called ignorance. Experiencing Consciousness constantly is awareness.
     
    7 people like this.
    Loading...

  2. jskls

    jskls IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    6,896
    Likes Received:
    24,888
    Trophy Points:
    490
    Gender:
    Female
    [FONT=Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Very well written sir. I could only try to read over and over to assimilate the wealth of information you have provided. but the above quotes I know exactly what you are talking about as there has been few unexplained 'Aha" moments and I also wrote about Light earlier in the poetry section
    [/FONT]
    http://www.indusladies.com/forums/poetry/267775-light.html
     
  3. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    13,370
    Likes Received:
    24,115
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Male
    @jskls,

    I am humbled by your first response and comments. I am so delighted to know that you enjoy "Aha" moments every now and then. I did read your poem about light.

    Viswa
     
    1 person likes this.
  4. jayasala42

    jayasala42 IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    5,365
    Likes Received:
    10,561
    Trophy Points:
    438
    Gender:
    Female
    Dear viswa,
    A fantastic presentation on'Discovering Self' from the philosopher of our group,Shri Viswamitra. I have to search the dictionary for appreciation of your snippet.

    First of all, it is well to have a clear idea of what self-realization is. It is clearly different from self actualization,a mere aesthetic and religious experience.

    Man’s spiritual development is a long and arduous journey, an adventure through strange lands full of surprises, difficulties and even dangers.
    The incidence of disturbances having a spiritual origin is rapidly increasing nowadays, in step with the growing number of people who, consciously or unconsciously, are groping their way towards a fuller life.
    Take an ordinary man.He takes life as it comes and does not worry about the problems of its meaning, its worth or its purpose; he devotes himself to the satisfaction of his personal desires; he seeks enjoyment of the senses and endeavours to become rich and satisfy his ambitions. If he is more mature, he subordinates his personal satisfaction to the fulfillment of the various family and social duties assigned to him, without taking the trouble to understand on what bases those duties rest or from what source they spring. In short, he believes implicitly that the only reality is that of the physical world which he can see and touch and therefore he is strongly attached to earthly goods, to which he attributes a positive value; thus he practically considers this life an end in itself. His belief in a future “heaven,” if he conceives of one, is altogether theoretical and academic
    .

    But it may happen that this “ordinary man” becomes both surprised and disturbed by a sudden change in his life.

    This may take place after a series of disappointments; not infrequently after some emotional shock, such as the loss of a loved relative or a very dear friend. But sometimes it occurs without any apparent cause

    To this is added, by degrees, a sense of the unreality and emptiness of ordinary life; all personal affairs, which formerly absorbed so much of his attention and interest, seem to retreat, psychologically, into the background; they lose their importance and value. New problems arise. The individual begins to inquire into the origin and the purpose of life; to ask what is the reason for so many things he formerly took for granted; to question, for instance, the meaning of his own sufferings and those of others, and what justification there may be for so many inequalities in the destinies of men.
    When a man has reached this point, he is apt to misunderstand and misinterpret his condition. Often they get into a whirl of external activities, seeking ever new occupations, new stimuli and new sensations. Most of what constituted his life now seems to him to have vanished like a dream, while no new light has yet come. Indeed, he is as yet ignorant of the existence of such a light, or else he cannot believe that it may ever illuminate him.

    It frequently happens that this state of inner disturbance is followed by a moral crisis. His conscience awakens or becomes more sensitive; a new sense of responsibility appears and the individual is oppressed by a heavy sense of guilt and remorse.
    This becomes the first step for self relisation.



    The opening of the channel between the conscious and the superconscious levels, between the ego and the Self, and the flood of light, joy and energy which follows, often produce a wonderful release. The preceding conflicts and sufferings, with the psychological and physical symptoms which they generated, vanish sometimes with amazing suddenness,. In such cases the spiritual awakening amounts to a real cure.

    But in some cases, not infrequent, the personality is inadequate in one or more respects and therefore unable to rightly assimilate the inflow of light and strength. This happens, for instance, when the intellect is not balanced, or the emotions and the imagination are uncontrolled; when the nervous system is too sensitive; or when the inrush of spiritual energy is overwhelming in its suddenness and intensity.
    An incapacity of the mind to stand the illumination , or a tendency to egotism or conceit, may cause the experience to be wrongly interpreted, and there results, so to speak, a “confusion of levels.” The distinction between absolute and relative truths, between the Self and the “I,” is blurred and the inflowing spiritual energies may have the unfortunate effect of feeding and inflating the personal ego.




    The inner experience of the spiritual Self, and its intimate association with and penetration of the personal self, gives to those who have it a sense of greatness and internal expansion, the conviction of participating in some way in the divine nature.

    In other cases the sudden influx of energies produces an emotional upheaval which expresses itself in uncontrolled, unbalanced and disordered behaviour. Shouting and crying, singing and outbursts of various kinds characterize this form of response. If the individual is active and aggressive he may be easily impelled by the excitement of the inner awakening to play the role of prophet or saviour; he may found a new sect and start a campaign .

    In some sensitive individuals they have visions, which they believe to be of exalted beings;
    The reactions accompanying this phase are manifold and often occur a certain time after the awakening. As has been said, a harmonious inner awakening is characterized by a sense of joy and mental illumination that brings with it an insight into the meaning and purpose of life; it dispels many doubts, offers the solution of many problems and gives a sense of security. At the same time there wells up a realization that life is one, and an outpouring of love flows through the awakening individual towards his fellow beings and the whole of creation.

    The former personality, with its sharp angles and disagreeable traits, seems to have receded into the background and a new loving and lovable individual smiles at us and the whole world, full of eagerness to please, to serve and to share his newly acquired spiritual riches,.


    Such an exalted state lasts for varying periods, but it is bound to cease. The personal self was only temporarily overpowered but not permanently transformed.

    Necessarily this is a very painful experience and is apt in some cases to produce strong reactions and cause serious troubles. The personal ego re-awakens and asserts itself with renewed force. All the rocks and rubbish, which had been covered and concealed at high tide, emerge again. The man, whose moral conscience has now become more refined and exacting, whose thirst for perfection has become more intense, judges with greater severity and condemns his personality with a new vehemence; he is apt to harbor the false belief of having fallen lower than he was before. Sometimes it even happens that lower propensities and drives, hitherto lying dormant in the unconscious, are vitalized by the inrush of higher energy, or stirred into a fury of opposition.
    .

    At times the reaction becomes intensified to the extent of causing the individual even to deny the value and reality of his recent experience. Doubts and criticism enter his mind and he is tempted to regard the whole thing as an illusion, a fantasy or an emotional intoxication. He becomes bitter and sarcastic, ridicules himself and others, and even turns his back on his higher ideals and aspirations. Yet, try as he may, he cannot return to his old state; he has seen the vision, and its beauty and power to attract remain with him in spite of his efforts to suppress it. He cannot accept everyday life as before, or be satisfied with it. A “divine homesickness” haunts him and leaves him no peace. Sometimes the reaction presents a more pathological aspect and produces a state of depression and even despair, with suicidal impulses. This state bears a close resemblance to psychotic depression or “melancholia” which is characterized by an acute sense of unworthiness, a systematic self- depreciation and self-accusation; the impression of going through hell, which may become so vivid as to produce the delusion that one is irretrievably damned;

    The self is in the dark because it is blinded by a light greater than it can bear.




    It is as though he had made a superb flight to the sunlit mountain top, realized its glory and the beauty of the panorama spread below, but had been brought back reluctantly to his starting point .



    Self-realization is a long and many-sided process which includes phases of active removal of the obstacles to the inflow and operation of superconscious energies;

    It is a most eventful period, full of changes, of alternations between light and darkness, between joy and suffering. Observed from the outside and gauged in terms of ordinary efficiency he seems to have deteriorated and to be less capable than before. He is not spared unfair judgment on the part of well-meaning but unenlightened friends and he is often the target of pungent and sarcastic remarks about his “fine” spiritual ideals and aspirations making him weak and ineffective in practical life.

    It should be accepted cheerfully, or at least serenely, and used as an opportunity for developing inner strength.In reality one is like a caterpillar undergoing the process of transformation into the winged butterfly. The insect must pass through the stage of the chrysalis, a condition of disintegration and helplessness. But the individual generally does not have the protection of a cocoon in which to undergo the process of transformation in seclusion and peace. He must—and this is particularly so nowadays—remain where he is in life and continue to perform his family, professional and social duties as well as he can, as though nothing had happened or was still going on. His problem is similar to that which confronts engineers in the reconstruction of a railway station without interrupting the traffic even for an hour.

    These were the actual experiences faced by my friend in his late forties.He was a perfect gentleman, an epitome of love, very caring and affectioante and was out to help any one in distress.His questioning mind elevated him new heights. He was radiating with brilliance.But suddenly he started getting bouts of breathlessness,that looked like asthma initially.He passed away at the young age of 48.
    His two sons who also resembled their father in attitude have been totally discouraged by their mother to desist from spiritual activities altogether. 'Let them not have 'self realization. Let them be ordinary mortals with normal desires',The mother categorically says, when I met her last year.She says a big'NO' to self realization, aatma sakshatkaram etc etc. Let them vanish with my husband"she says with contempt.
    Viswa,

    sorry for my long FB-- a reality that should be known to everyone.

    Jayasala 42









     
    2 people like this.
  5. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    13,370
    Likes Received:
    24,115
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Male
    [FONT=&amp]Dear Smt. Jayasala

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful insight about the risks associated with exploring and experiencing Self. I had to read several times to grasp the content of your response. Generally, there are many obstacles and detours on the path that could take one away from the interstate highway towards Self-realization and some deceptive neon signs of high energy could take one away from the pursuit of Truth.

    I recall when I was a school going child in Neyveli, I had a neighbor who was closely related to Ramana Maharishi. The neighbor was his brother's grandson and he had two children, a boy and a girl. The lady of the house was so scared stating to us many times that there is a curse in the family that once in 2-3 generations, one of the family members would turn out to be a Recluse and would want to pursue spiritual path shying away from ordinary life of a Grahastha. When she watched her son day and night, her son had various Mudras postures while sleeping in the night. She was gripped with fear every single day and was affected by deep depression when her son merrily wandered around with his friends but talked occasionally but spontaneously about the art of right living. He had no fear in life and was happy as a young boy and continued his journey as the energy was flowing from his inner strength. He meditated a lot naturally and was clearly driven by unlimited amount of energy flowing from inside. However, his mother was gripped by fear every single day to the extent of losing her mind.

    Swamy Vivekananda mentioned in his speech in London, "Great is the tenacity with which man clings to the senses. Yet, however substantial he may think the external world in which he lives and moves, there comes a time in the lives of individuals and of races, when, involuntarily they ask, "Is this real?" To the person who never finds a moment to question the credentials of his senses, whose every moment is occupied with some sort of sense-enjoyment - even to him death comes, and he also is compelled to ask : "Is this real?" Religion begins with this question and ends with its answer. Even in the remote past, where recorded history cannot help us, in the mysterious light of mythology, back in the dim twilight of civilization, we find the same question was asked, "What becomes of this? What is real?"

    Ramana Maharishi when he spoke of fear of Self-inquiry mentioned, "The first thing to keep in mind is not to lose faith in self-enquiry by assuming, erroneously, that in such situation it may not be of much use. The next is the need for vigilance against the intrusion of any thought from the word go. If one is not watchful, before one knows one gets so mixed up with fear related thoughts that there is no longer the me and my fear but just fear. If one is attentive as soon as the first thought related to this fear arises one should question 'To whom does it relate?' If not the proliferation of thoughts reflecting aspects of the same fear would crowd in."

    Paramahamsa Yogananda when he set up the Self-Realization Institute mentioned, "Self-realization is the knowing — in body, mind, and soul — that we are one with the omnipresence of God; that we do not have to pray that it comes to us, that we are not merely near it at all times, but that God’s omnipresence is our omnipresence; that we are just as much a part of Him now as we ever will be. All we have to do is improve our knowing.”

    Rumi in his famous quote mentioned, "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

    Once upon a time, a towering ogre stood against the sun, blocking its light. It threatened all and its voice was thunder. Humanity cowered in fear, and sustained and empowered by the despair of the masses, the giant swelled larger. But one woman refused to bow before this bloated force which threatened to bury her. She didn’t flee but instead walked toward the evil apparition. As she did so, something miraculous happened. Little by little – confounding the laws of perspective and physics – the ‘giant’ grew smaller as she approached it. Great goblets of golden sunlight began to illuminate her as the shadow of the beast lessened. At last the woman found that the monster had become so small that she could pick it up in her soft gentle hands. She spoke to it and in a voice that was firm like ironwood.

    “What are you called, oh former, monstrous giant?” And even as it was vanishing into nothingness she heard its tiny voice reply: “Know, good woman, my name is… FEAR.”

    Fear blocks not just spiritual perception, as the ancient texts have it, but also, as modern neuroscientists demonstrate, everyday clear thought. The phrase ‘emotional hijacking’ refers to the way fear swamps the ‘thinking brain’, making it harder to use our everyday (let alone higher) perceptive capacities. When people are terrified, they may struggle to tie their shoelaces or recall their phone number, let alone perceive and practice timeless wisdom. Thus fear can be seen as a disconnecting agent that severs us from the possibility of merging with the infinite, the Divinity within us.

    Fear is a veil to spiritual perception and basic psychological balance because it literally distorts perception and is a misuse of creative energy meant for other things. But also because fear is one of the main agents of psychological indoctrination, as he, she, who, or it that makes you fearful, controls your mind. Just as seeds are more easily planted when sown in a ploughed field, when the brain is churned up, beliefs can be easily implanted; some of which may be massively destructive. This we call brainwashing’. The inculcation of belief is what cults do. Children who are constantly fearful may have had destructive beliefs about themselves implanted during fearful times.

    Spirituality itself can’t just be a question of belief, because [FONT=&amp]anyone[/FONT] can be induced to believe [FONT=&amp]anything[/FONT]. Spiritual perception would be based on experience not dogma. The knowledge of the importance of knowing the difference between belief and direct, personal experience is ancient and predates modern psychology. The Sufi mystic Al-Ghazali understood how fear could be used to indoctrinate us almost a thousand years before psychological ‘brainwashing’ was recognized by psychologists in the West. He stressed the need to overcome fear and other distortions of ‘The Commanding Self’ (or ego), to attain real truth as opposed to merely indoctrinated dogma, in preparation for higher perception. Fear is plainly not a ‘temptation’ in the usual sense of the word, but it [FONT=&amp]is[/FONT] one of the veils to truth. In order to gain mastery of ourselves, not be manipulated by others, and to see reality with clean, clear eyes, then fear needs to be mastered.

    Viswa

    [/FONT]
     
    2 people like this.
  6. PushpavalliSrinivasan

    PushpavalliSrinivasan IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    4,712
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    340
    Gender:
    Female
    DearViswa,

    Discovering self is not easy for ordinary mortals. Those who choose the spiritual path might realize self.

    I put this question to myself.

    Am I the body or the soul? I can't be the body because when the soul leaves the body it becomes inanimate.

    Then am I the soul? The soul without a body also can't do anything.

    Who Am I?’ I am pure Awareness. This Awareness is by its very nature Being-Consciousness-Bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda).
    If the mind, which is the instrument of knowledge and is the basis of all activity, subsides, the perception of the world as an objective reality ceases. Unless the illusory perception of the serpent in the rope ceases, the rope on which the illusion is formed is not perceived as such. (This analogy is based on a traditional story of a man who sees a rope at twilight and mistaking it for a serpent is afraid without cause.) Similarly, unless the illusory nature of the perception of the world as an objective reality ceases, the vision of the true nature of the Self, on which the illusion is formed, is not obtained.

    The mind is a wondrous power residing in the Self. It causes all thoughts to arise. Apart from thoughts, there is no such thing as mind. Therefore, thought is the nature of mind. Apart from thoughts, there is no independent entity called the world. In deep sleep there are no thoughts, and there is no world. In the states of waking and dream, there are thoughts, and there is a world also.
    Just as the spider emits the thread (of the web) out of itself and again withdraws it into itself, likewise the mind projects the world out of itself and again resolves it into itself. When the mind leaves the Self, the world appears. Therefore, when the world appears, the Self does not appear; and when the Self appears (shines) the world does not appear.

    When one persistently inquires into the nature of the mind, the mind will subside leaving the Self (as residue). The mind always exists only by depending on something gross (physical body); it cannot exist independently. It is the mind that is called the subtle body or the soul.

    He who gives himself up to the Self that is God is the one who realizes the self.Giving one self up to God, means constantly remembering the Self. Whatever burdens are thrown on God, He bears them all. Since the supreme power of God makes all things move, why should we, without submitting ourselves to it, constantly worry ourselves with thoughts as to what should be done and how, and what should not be done and how not? We know that the train carries all loads, so after getting on it why should we carry our small luggage on our head to our discomfort, instead of putting it down in the train and feeling at ease?

    I believe surrendering self to the Supreme is the real self realization.
     
    2 people like this.
  7. jayasala42

    jayasala42 IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    5,365
    Likes Received:
    10,561
    Trophy Points:
    438
    Gender:
    Female
    Dear viswa,
    From the self discovery, the snippet has turned into'facing fear',an important aspect of self realization.This is what I expected from Viswa.
    Sorry Viswa for diversion.
    As Madam Pushpa has said,while the train is carrying the load, why should we bear it on shoulders?Quite true? This is what Ramana used to say very often.
    Vaishnavism suggests two paths--bakthi and Prapaththi.
    Bakthi has some procedures or vidhis to follow and is suited to the elite.

    Prapaththi or sharanagathi can be followed by the elite as well as the peasant and is stated to be the easiest marga.
    but when we start practising, when Bhakthi seems to be difficult we think Sharangathi is quite easy and vice versa.The other side of the field is always green.When elite ones begin to surrender, suddenly a thought strikes at them. While we have been blessed with reasoning power to descriminate betweenthe good and evil,while we are gifted with Free Will to choose, why can't we do as per free will based on discretion? what is the necessity to total sharanagathi? Does it not amount to shirking the responsibilities?

    As a result he does not follow either the bakthi marg or prapaththi marg.
    where is the balance?

    Jayasala 42
     
    1 person likes this.
  8. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    13,370
    Likes Received:
    24,115
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Male
    Dear Smt. Srinivasan:

    You have articulated exceedingly well about the need of Padaratha and Parartha to coexist. Body is sometimes referred to Chetra ("field") and the Atma is referred to Chetrajna (one who lives in the field). It is important for both to coexist as Atma can't perform action without the help of the body and body is merely a form that consist of five elements which eventually perishes when Atma leaves the body.

    One of the ILites beautifully narrated earlier in response to one of my post about her father's famous exclamation when she as a young girl was looking into the mirror. "What are you looking at? What have you done to deserve this perishable form?" This thought took me on a roller-coaster ride since she wrote it in response to my post and raised more questions than answers.

    In my opinion, the discriminative power that the human possess is to experience the difference between something that is permanent or Aja (unborn) and something that is transient, born and perishable. The mind projects the world for us that does not exist without our perception through five senses. The mind itself is formless until we convert it into a form through our thoughts. Once we use our discriminative power to the fullest extent, we realize that our true nature is formless which has five values known as Truth, Righteousness, Love, Peace and Non-violence. All other external qualities human beings build are immaterial other than a great character that demonstrates these five values. The very same mind that can make us feel we are this body, mind and intellect ("Bhavaroga") is perfectly capable if leading us to the light ("Enlightenment"). For that we need to learn to control our senses and mind and it should become subservient to the Atma.

    In my view, there is no difference between Bhakthi, Jnana and Karma Yogas. If we pursue one with great intensity, the other two come along. Love is the very breath of life and when it manifests equally to all, it becomes divine love. It makes us realize that it is one power that resides in all and if we worship the Supreme Power with intensity, we can see the same power resides in all. The act of Love, the One who is loved ("god") and the one ("Jiva") that loves are one and the same. Seeing the unity of all of them is knowledge. Hanuman when talking about His Bhakthi to Rama, he narrated, "When I consider my body, I am your servant (Dehabhavena Daso-smi), when I consider my mind, I am part of you (Jeevabhavena tvadamshakah) and when I consider my Self, you and I are one (Atmabhavena tamevaham)". It is intense love that leads to faith and it is faith that leads to wisdom, it is wisdom that leads to devotion and it is devotion that leads us towards Self-realization.

    Even a Guru accepts a disciple only after investigating whether the disciple is truly seeking knowledge and whether he is capable of assimilating the knowledge that is given to him. I agree surrendering Self to the Supreme Power is the Self-realization but surrendering doesn't come easily to the human beings. Intensity of devotion should reach the level of ecstasy for someone to see the Truth and one should consider the pair of opposites with equanimity and accept everything happens around us gracefully. For that the mind has to be subordinated, the body consciousness should disappear and the intellect should inquire the benefits of surrender. Atma-nivedanam is true surrender. There will be no doubts in the mind, our actions will be done renouncing the fruits and we will hold all our possessions in trust as a gift from the Lord.

    Because of the lack of development, surrender does not come naturally to someone like me until and unless I begin observing my thoughts and start disown all of them. I am still at a stage of a pilgrim who travels with his thoughts and create forms. I am nowhere near recognizing the formless and that is the reason for my struggle.

    Viswa
     
  9. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    13,370
    Likes Received:
    24,115
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Male
    Dear Smt. Jayasala,

    Very well said about the struggle between total surrender and devotion. Janthunam narajanmam dhurlabam. We have been blessed with discriminative power to explore the path of Self-realization. But the very same power we are blessed with is used to explore the world as opposed to exploring Self. I always consider my mind as my shadow and if it is following me, I am walking towards the light and if it is in front of me, I am walking away from the light.

    The bottom line is the intensity that we need is lacking whether it is Bhakthi or Prapaththi. When our mind is in doubt and the body is attached to the world and to itself, we struggle in the process. Our pilgrimage will continue until and unless we reach the destination and we know it. We are bearing it on our shoulders when the train is carrying the load because we own it and get attached to it, is the only sensible answer I can come up with. Once we disown our thoughts and get detached, our journey becomes easier with no baggage.

    Viswa
     
  10. Srama

    Srama Finest Post Winner

    Messages:
    10,075
    Likes Received:
    11,569
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Female
    Dear V sir,

    This is such a simple yet the most complex question. We all know of Ramana Maharshi's "Who am I". I have been wanting to respond to this snippet for a while now but do not know how other than telling you that after reading this snippet, all I was reminded of was -

    "Yoga schittavritti nirodah" - Yoga is the control (very loosely used word for Nidrodah) of the modifications of the mind

    and when that happens,

    "Tada Drashthuh svarupe avasthanam" - Then the Seer abides in Itself, resting in its own True Nature, which is called Self-realization.

    And then very quietly he goes on writing the entire yoga sutras to take us toward the goal. I am completely in awe of this book and this Rishi Patanjali.

    And then we have Krishna explaining in Gita on how only one of so many men who take up the path attain Him. Forget the experience of self at a spritual level, when I do make an analysis of self at a very human and personal level (trying to understand reactions to situations), I seem to be nodding my head with a teeny bit understanding of "neti neti"

    Well, I guess all we can do is make an effort, if not this life time perhaps after a few hundred for most of us. I do have to mention that I get transported into a different world when I listen to my yoga teacher give a commentary on yoga sutras. I am not even sure I understand at the intellectual level but there is that at the subtle level and some kind of calmness spreads in the self.
     
    1 person likes this.

Share This Page