Understanding Non-Duality From Standpoint of Duality

One of the most perplexing things is to try to understand non-duality or advaita, from the viewpoint of duality.  Let us explore this a bit more in detail.

All communication via language, writing etc. happens in the sphere of duality. There is a subject -i.e. me, who understands the object explained in a language that I understand. This is true for all aspects of knowledge including the arts, literature, sciences and common every day communication. It is based on developing certain concepts of language communication. When someone says the word "water" in the English language, the person hearing it or reading it understands that the word refers to a colorless, clear liquid. The mind translates the word into a conceptual understanding of the meaning of the word heard or read.

The very nature of communication implies the existence of a subject, "I" - which implies identification with a body and a name- trying to explain an object using concepts and ideas. The problem arises when the teacher of non-duality tries to explain an abstract idea of non-duality to another body-name identity using the same principles of communication as explained above. Non-duality encompasses all of duality and non-duality. So, how does one go about trying to wrap the so called head around it?

The main problem is the seeker who tries to understand Non-duality while still maintaining his or her identity as an individual. The seeker tries to maintain his identity as a separate individual and tries to attain or obtain non-duality. Do you realize the paradox of the situation? There can be no duality in non-duality. No question of a subject and an object. No question of a "me" attaining. No question of a "me" understanding the ONE essence that is everything.  Just this ONE without a second.

As long as the seeker refuses to let go of his continued misidentification with the body-mind entity, he or she will never get around to understanding the simplicity being explained in advaita or non-duality. The seeker wants to take credit for having finally "Understood". Presumably also wanting credit for the many hours and years of meditation and spiritual process involved to reach the understanding. Do you see the paradox here?

It helps to get back to the very basics of advaita teaching. First comes the sense of presence, or consciousness or sense of beingness. Prior to everything else. Every thing, including the concept of individuality and the subsequent dualism, and all other concepts come only because of the sense of presence. No presence - no things, no concepts, no you. Think about it for a moment.  Are you currently present or not? There is no way you can deny your presence at this very moment. All thoughts including the thought "I am" can only arise if you are present. Now, if somehow your thoughts would cease (if only for a moment), would you stop being present or stop existing? Try it. You will know the answer. Did you disappear?

However, if you were asked to explain your experience in that moment of thoughtlessness, you would come up with a blank. That is because you are trying to explain that sense of presence or consciousness or beingness, with concepts and words. Concepts and words are an expression in duality. When presented with this nonconceptual awareness or sense of presence, the mind draws a blank. Hence, the seeker who identifying with the mind, tries to comprehend this sense of presence, fails miserably.

As a result, the seeker falsely believes that there is a process or doing involved in trying to get to this 'sense of presence'. The frustrated seeker says " I know I am present but surely there must be something wrong I am doing as I cannot conceptualize this presence or beingness". The mind can go around and around in circles or get lost in a maze of concepts trying to grasp non-duality. The seeker remains in a state of seeking as a result of trying to conceptualize the nonconceptual.

So, what is the way out? - asks the seeker. It is quite simple. Don't try to conceptualize the nonconceptual. Realize that only consciousness understands consciousness and in doing so transcends consciousness. There is no individual here to take credit.

Realize that there is no alternative presence apart from this presence - which is evident right here and right now. Don't fall prey to the endless games and tricks that the mind plays. There is no future time that you will be present than this very moment. Watch the mind and realize that you are not the mind but the silent, unchanging witness of the mind.

JUST STOP. In doing so, you ARE. Got it?

With or Without Effort?

There is a fair amount of confusion among the seekers wondering whether there should be no effort as quoted by many teachers of Advaita or as others teach, should effort be made to realize their True Nature or the Truth. The answer to that question can be aptly put as "it depends".  Why so? Let us start with who is it that wants the answer. If the one who is seeking the answer is an independent person or entity that wants the answer, then it can be stated that definitely effort is required for one to attain Realization. However, if one has already reached the conclusion that one is not an independent entity or a person but the Universal Consciousness itself, then such a question would not arise in the first place and most likely the answer would be " no effort is required since you already are what you are seeking".

As you can see it depends on your perspective and concepts. As long as you hold on to the concept of being an individual, separate from the rest of the world, in that case effort is certainly required. The effort in not in trying to gain something, but actually in trying to lose this sense of individuality that you have taken for granted and are unwilling or uninterested in losing. The Truth is one and is always unchanging, eternal and omnipresent. It is the false that is shrouding the Truth and hence it is the false that must be removed by whoever wants to discover the Truth. The false, in this case, would be the sense of individuality or ego. Hence, all effort should be focused on the inquiry into the nature of one's self (note the small "s") which is the ego, or the false sense of being an independent individual apart from the consciousness. This individual wants to discover the Truth.  The false is nothing but the strong belief in the existence of the ego.  So, ask the question, "who am I?" in which the "I" is the ego or the sense of individuality. Dive deep into this sense and find out wherefrom does it arise. Was it there in deep sleep? Investigate!

When one finds out the answer to the existence or non-existence of the ego, then the rest is simple and straightforward. Do you make any effort to be? Answer this question yourself. Did you choose to be born? Did you choose the family into which you claim to be "born" into? Did your parents choose that it should be "you" that they want? Did they have any knowledge of the exact moment of "your" conception? Even if you now consider yourself to be this body, did you make any effort to evolve from the tiny few cells in the womb to the fully formed infant that came out of the womb? Are you making any effort to beat your heart, grow your hair, grow the nails, digest the food, or create the urine by the kidneys? Investigate in this direction and see what exactly are you and what exactly do you DO.

In closing, whether or not any effort is needed in Self Realization depends on who is asking the question, and not on the answer.  Hence, the answer given to the seeker depends on the Master or Guru knowing fully well as to who is asking the question and giving the answer accordingly.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

If you are really wondering what this teaching is all about, it can be put simply as a case of mistaken identity. What is at the crux of the quest for the Truth is not so much about the nature of Truth. It is all about your identity. Yes, your identity. This identity of yourself that you so much believe in and are convinced of its authenticity. This identity that you have a name and a form, the body. This identity that you so proudly proclaim as "me" and "mine".

You can never know the Truth as such. What you can know is the false as false. In doing so, the Truth becomes self evident. You may now ask as to what exactly is false. Everything you know is false since the basic premise that you are an entity, an entity with a name and a body is false. Only by inquiring into the nature of this entity called "me" can you really unravel this mystery.  All the reading and listening is not going to unravel the mystery.  It is only when one starts to ponder over his or her own identity does the answer come all by itself.

Your True Nature is the Absolute where there is no "I".  There should be no doubt about your True Nature as the Absolute (Parabrahman) and all else is false as you will Realize as you continue to investigate into your identity. Now, because you consider yourself to be this body and mind, it would be appropriate to start right here and slowly unravel the mystery of your identity by going backwards. The body is inanimate and it does not say "I". To make this clear, a dead body does not proclaim "I am dead". So, there must be some other factor that gives rise to the impression of "I" or the knowledge of being, or the knowledge of existence. Let us call this knowledge, consciousness. It is this consciousness, which is formless, that is responsible for the sense of being. When this consciousness mistakenly (for ease of understanding) identifies itself with the body, it gives rise to the concept of being an individual, the "I" or "me". Having now identified itself with the body and thinking that it is indeed the body, and having created this concept of being a person or individual, there is a feeling of separation and suffering or the feeling of something missing. The consciousness identified as an individual (Jeeva) feels incomplete and starts the search for the missing bit of information that will give it satisfaction or bliss (ananda).  When the individual with the help of the Guru, comes to the clear conviction that all there is, is consciousness, then there is peace or contentment. When the individual realizes that the basic premise or idea of being an individual ("I" or "me") is false, and that the Real Self is none other than the consciousness, it is called Self Realization.  In effect, the individual has disappeared in favor of the Real Self. It is only when the "I" disappears that the Real Self becomes evident.

Find out if you are individual and if so, what and where are you? Conviction comes with knowledge.  Know Thy Self.

Enlightenment in Five Verses - Part Two

Please read part one of this blog before reading this part and subsequent parts.

Sri Shankara answers to the questions posed by the Chandala:

Verse 1

1.जग्रत्स्वप्न्सुषुप्तिषु स्फुत्तारा या संविदुज्ज्रुम्भ्ते
या ब्रह्मिदिपिपीलिकान्त्त्नुशु प्रोता जगत्साक्षिणी ।
सैवाहं न च दुश्यवास्त्विती दृढप्रज्ञापि यस्यास्ति चेत
चन्दलोअस्तु स तु द्विजोअस्तु गुरुरित्येषा मनीषा मम ॥ १ 

If a person has attained the firm knowledge that he is not the object of perception, but instead is the one Consciousness which illumines the three states of waking, dream and deep sleep, the one Consciousness which is the sole witness of the whole universe and is the one Consciousness which dwells in all bodies from that of the Creator Brahma to that of an ant, the he alone is my Guru, irrespective of whether he is an outcaste or a brahmin. This is my conviction.

Let us try to analyze this verse. Consciousness is present in all the three states of waking, dream and deep sleep. In the waking state, the physical body, the senses and the mind function and experience the external objects. In the dream state, the body and the senses do not function, but the mind creates objects and events and experiences them. In deep sleep, the body, the senses and the mind do not function but there is no doubt that consciousness is still present since one easily verifies upon waking up  that he or she was asleep.  Simply put, in the waking state, the presence of consciousness is obvious because of the experience of the external objects and in the dream state, the mind creates the objects and experiences them. In the deep sleep state, it may appear as if there is no experiencing, but the fact that you remember you slept happily, is the verification of the presence of experiencing.  One can remember only what one has experienced previously. It is therefore obvious that consciousness was present during deep sleep and both happiness and ignorance were experienced.  This one consciousness is the sole witness of all experiences as well as absence of experiences. This consciousness is the inner Self that dwells in all creatures and is the same, irrespective of the shape or form of the body of the creature. Thus, this one consciousness is the only subject. The external objects are perceived by the senses. The senses are perceived by the mind. The mind is perceived by consciousness or the Self. Thus, the Self or consciousness alone is the subject and everything else is an object of experience. The person who has realized that he is the Self (consciousness alone) and not the physical body, the mind, or the senses is an enlightened person and is my Guru. 

The labels of race, religion, caste, occupation, and creed are only illusory creations of the mind and in no way affect the Self or consciousness which is the same in all living beings. Similarly, differences in form or shapes is an illusion created by the mind, since the bodies of living creatures are made up of the same five elements (earth, fire, water, space and air) and therefore have no inherent difference. Just like space is space and there is no difference in the space contained within a pot made of gold versus the space contained in a pot made of clay, an enlightened person sees beyond the name and form and recognizes the one consciousness in all.

Enlightenment in Five Verses- Part One

This post deals with one of the most profound yet simple Advaita teaching. It comes from Shri Adi Shankaracharya, the great Advaita Saint. The teaching is contained in just a few verses, which if read carefully, keeping the mind and heart open, may result in instant enlightenment.  These are some of the most profound verses in all of Advaita Vedanta literature.  The text is called Maneeshaapanchakam. The essence of Advaita Vedanta is brought out succinctly in these brief verses.

Before we proceed, let us see the reason for these verses. One day, Sri Shankaracharya ( aka Shankara) was on his way to the temple of Lord Viswanatha along with his disciples, after finishing his ritual bath. It so happened that a Chandaala (a low caste person or untouchable caste working as a street sweeper) was walking along the same street and was obstructing the path along which Sri Sankara was walking. Sri Sankara asked the Chandaala to move away from his path (In ancient times, it was considered inauspicious for a higher caste person to encounter a Chandaala especially on the way to or after performing religious rituals). The Chandaala then asked Sri Sankara some questions which are the basis of the first two verses in this text. These questions are the prelude to the Five verses quoted by Sri Sankara. The Five verses are collectively called "Maneeshaapanchakam".  Maneeshaa means "conviction" and  "panchakam" means a collection of five verses or shlokas. All the five verses end with the word "maneesha mamah" meaning "This is my conviction".

While, one could spend a lot of time arguing over how an Enlightened soul like Sri Shankara could practice untouchability, it would unnecessarily deviate one's attention from the deep message contained in these verses.  The story may also point to the strong association of beingness with the body and mind, showing how even an Enlightened one like Sri Shankara could temporarily fall off the razors edge.

Chandala to Shankara:

1. अन्नामयादान्नमयम्थ्वा चैतन्यमेव चैतान्यात । 
द्विजवर दूरीकर्तु वाञछ्सी किं ब्रूहि गच्छ गच्छेति ॥

1.  O'great among the twice-born! What is it that you want to move away by saying "Go, go"? Do you want the body made up of food to move away from another body made up of food? Or, do you want the consciousness to move away from consciousness?

2.  किं गंगाम्बुनी बिम्बितेओम्ब्र्मनौ चंदाल्वातिपयः
पूरे चंत्रमस्ती कच्च्न्घतिम्रित्कुम्भ्योवोर्म्ब्रे।
प्रत्याग्वस्तुनी निस्तारान्ग्सह्जान्न्दाव्बोधाम्बुधौ
विप्रोअयम्श्व्प्चोअय्मित्य्पिमहन्कोअयम्विभेद्भ्रमः ॥

2. Is there any difference in the reflection of the Sun in the waters of the Ganges river and its reflection in the water in a ditch in the quarters of an outcaste? Is there any difference in the space as such, be it the space contained in a gold pot or a clay pot?  What is this illusion of difference in the form of "this is a Brahmin(higher caste) and this is an Outcaste", in the inner Self which is none other than the thought-less Ocean of Bliss and self existing consciousness?

Note: The inner Self or consciousness is the same in all creatures.

Consciousness is All There Is

All there is, is consciousness. It means that whatever is perceived is because of consciousness and is a content of consciousness. The contents of consciousness cannot be anything other than consciousness. There can be no world without the body. There can be no body without the mind. The mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. The mind creates the idea of individuality. Because of this creation of individuality or the first Person, the "I-thought", there is an idea of separation of the individual from the rest of creation. Because, there is a first Person, there is the idea of a second person, and third person and so on and so forth. There cannot be a mind without consciousness. Consciousness is the source of the mind.  Finally, there cannot be consciousness without the Absolute. The Absolute is the Ultimate Truth or Reality.

When the great Sages of the past talked about individual or personal consciousness versus universal consciousness, they were trying to make it easier for the seeker to understand the essence of the teaching of Advaita or non-duality from the perspective of the relative since the seeker thinks everything is relative to him or her. Actually, there is no such thing as individual or personal consciousness. Consciousness is consciousness. So, what creates the idea of individuality? The consciousness (which is the same everywhere) identifies with the body and this identity is established through the ego or the I-thought. By creation of the ego, the unlimited consciousness now believes itself to be a limited entity, the body and creates the idea of being a person, a first person -"I".  Thereby, begins all the miseries for this so called individual. Now, this individual, the first person, which is nothing but a thought (the "I-thought"), pretends to be the doer of actions and the reaper of the fruits of the actions and in doing so wants to avoid unhappiness and believes that eternal or unending happiness can be achieved by pursuing a course of right action. And thinking that the body is the form representing him or her, this individual goes through the repeated cycles of misery and suffering.  This non-entity called "I", now wants to seek out the Real Self. Really? Now, how can there be two selves? It is amazing indeed that being the Reality, you want to seek out the Reality!  Strange is this world indeed! The Guru comes along and advises careful inquiry into the nature and source of this very individual by the individual, and then it becomes clear that there is actually no individual at all in the first place. The ego is like a ghost which vanishes upon searching for it.  The mind has created the idea of being an individual entity where none exists. Then this individual believing itself to be suffering wants to pursue sadhana (or spiritual practice) to get out of this suffering and misery by seeking out the Reality.  Is it not clear that the whole idea of a seeker and seeking is just playing out in the mind. No mind, no seeker, no seeking- just being.

In self-inquiry, one is looking for the source of the ego. In doing so, the ego vanishes and is replaced by the unlimited, expanse of consciousness which takes over and there is immediate realization of the Real Self as the cause of this universe. There is no sense of an "I' when the mind is turned inwards to its Source.  The mind, in turning inwards to the Source, actually disappears in favor of the Real Self or the consciousness. If all is consciousness, who are you?

The End Of Spirituality

It is indeed amazing that we take for granted that we are an entity- an entity with a name and form. One rarely if ever questions the source or the origin of this entity. In the meantime, one is busy gathering more and more knowledge from various sources to enhance their self worth, whether it be in the field of arts and sciences, material wealth, religious knowledge or spiritual knowledge. Based on this gathered knowledge, one begins to feel important or great about themselves. Often the one who has gained knowledge of scriptures and spiritual knowledge feels superior to others who are ignorant of this knowledge. The spiritualist feels that he or she can somehow save the world and solve its problems.

Sadly, such a spiritualist has obviously not found out the truth about his/her own True Identity. Such a one has failed to question the source of the knowledge "I am". One has failed to question and find out the source of beingness, the taste of beingness, and the nature of beingness. Why and how has this beingness appeared? What makes the beingness what it is? In the absence of this body, would there be any knowledge of beingness and to whom?  No one seems to be interested in getting to the bottom of these questions. One is more interested in the branches of the tree rather than the roots. Understandably, the branches are more easily seen but it is the roots that you are really after.

All knowledge is in the realm of consciousness. But have you ever wondered what exactly is this consciousness and is it really the Truth? Is this consciousness not the source of this grand illusion, that we call the world and the universe. Without consciousness, would there be a 'you' or a 'me'? Is it not true that because of this consciousness, you have come to know that you are? What happens to all this knowledge of spirituality you have collected, if there is no 'you'? Who is it that claims ownership of spirituality?

When the Truth dawns on 'you', 'you' disappear and merge into the Truth. With your disappearance, there is the end of spirituality. THAT is beyond knowledge and ignorance. THAT is who you really, really ARE. Don't get fooled by the illusion of beingness. Step backwards and beyond this illusion to submerge into the Truth. The problem with most seekers is that they are unwilling to take this step.

Nobody, Somebody and Everybody

To begin with you are a nobody, a no-body. This nobody gave rise to the feeling of being somebody or rather this body. Actually, it is the nobody getting confused and thinking it is somebody.  With the notion of being a somebody,  this same nobody which was the essence of peace and bliss, started suffering. Because the notion of being somebody meant being separate from other bodies, it started feeling insecure and vulnerable. As a somebody, it felt alienated in this world of other bodies, which it assumed are not itself since they appear to be separate from this body. This somebody became the embodiment of suffering. This somebody started searching for an answer, an answer to the end of suffering. Thereby started the search and this somebody became a seeker.

At some point in time, this somebody was told by a Guru (who also appeared to be somebody but was established as a no-body) that the True Nature of this somebody was actually nobody.  "All along, you have been nobody but you have falsely believed yourself to be somebody and hence you have been suffering", were the words of the Guru. This somebody started meditating on what the Guru had told. In a fraction of a second, suddenly and without any effort on part of anybody, this somebody suddenly Realized that actually everybody is nobody and just because they think they are somebody, they feel that they are independent and separate from other bodies and hence the suffering.  As soon as somebody Realizes that they are nobody, then the suffering stops, and the seeking stops, for the seeker is the sought. 

It becomes clear to this somebody, that there is nothing to be sought and all that is necessary to put an end to this suffering is to establish the false identity of this somebody. Everybody arises from and subsides into nobody.  Therefore, nobody is the source of everybody. Nobody is also the source of everything since one has to be somebody to perceive the world of things as objects. 

Just SEE that you are no-body and stop pretending to be some-body.

(Maybe this clarification will help some readers. No-body = Consciousness. Some-body= Ego or Jeeva or body-mind entity called "me". Every-body= all Jeevas.)

Mind In, Mind Out

The mind, which is nothing but a bundle of thoughts, is the window to perceive the world outside. But, the mind is not what perceives the world. It is only a window.  The one who perceives the world is behind the window, so to speak. The consciousness "I am" is the cause for the perception of the world. No consciousness, no world.  Simple.

When the mind is focused or turned outwards, it perceives the world of objects. In fact, objectification is through the mind only. The sense organs are the conduit for the mind to objectify the world outside. The mind creates the false identity of being a person, a "me".  A false entity that believes itself to be the 'seer', the subject. Because of the belief in this false entity, one goes about thinking that it is "me" who is actually perceiving, seeing, hearing, thinking, talking, etc. Now, you may notice the word 'thinking' is in italics. That is because the false subject "me" is nothing but a thought. No thoughts, no "me". Yet, despite the absence of a "me", the perceiving goes on none the less. Only, there is no one (no "me") claiming to do the perceiving. This is obvious proof that the "me" is NOT the one who is doing the perceiving.  The world appears to be, only as long as the mind is turned outward i.e. towards the sense objects.

To know who you really, really are, it is essential to turn the mind inwards. In this case, the mind is turned away from the sense objects to the source of the mind itself. The easiest way to do so is Self-Inquiry. On asking the question "Who am I?", the mind subsides into its source. The source is consciousness. When the mind is turned inwards, there is no mind left. Only consciousness prevails. The mind has submerged itself into its source, i.e. consciousness.  There is just this Being, being Itself. Just being is bliss.

The path to bliss is simple. Just turn the mind inward to its Source.  

Dead and Gone- Part 3

Staying on this same topic, let us further explore how we can investigate the subject of birth and death and get to the Truth.  As we already learned, the body is nothing but the combination of five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space). After so called 'death' of the body, the elements mix back with the universal elements. Meaning thereby that there is no such thing as "my individual water" or "my individual space" (although myspace.com may object to that statement!!) or "my individual air". Air is air, water is water and space is space. In the same way, consciousness is consciousness. There is nothing like individual consciousness or universal consciousness.  However, for the sake of understanding and clarity, a Guru may use such terms. After so called 'death', the consciousness no longer having a vehicle for its expression (i.e. the body), returns to universal consciousness. There is no actual return as such.  For example, the space inside an earthen pot is the same as the space outside the pot.  On breaking the earthen pot, the space inside does not actually 'return' to the space outside.  Space inside mixes up with space outside, really? You get the point.

As already explained elsewhere in this blog, consciousness is like electricity. Electricity is electricity. There is no essential difference between electricity in Mexico and electricity in Holland or electricity in China or Russia.  Just like electricity can function in different forms and produce different effects, consciousness does so too.  Electricity functioning through a fan produces a breeze, through an oven produces heat, through an air-conditioner produces cooling, through a radio produces sound, or through a motor produces motion. In the same way, consciousness expressing through different forms like humans, dogs or worms produces different effects. The consciousness expressing in the body through various permutations and combinations of the gunas (attributes or gunas are Sattva, Rajas,and Tamas) give rise to unlimited personalities in the same species. The effects can be many but the cause is one.

For something to die it must be born.  Keeping it simple, we can see that the elements are not born for they were there before the so called birth of 'my body'.  Similarly, the consciousness is not born with the birth of "my body".   So, what exactly is born?  Can you not SEE the obvious? Nothing is born and therefore nothing dies. What happens is that the consciousness no longer expresses itself through that particular body.  Where is the question of birth and death other than a concept created in the mind based on the primary concept of being 'born' as a separate and independent body-mind entity called "me"?

Having heard and digested all of the above, who and what are you?  In what capacity are "you" going to change or do anything?

The Great Knowledge I AM

It is not uncommon for a person to take himself/herself to be someone superior to others based on the knowledge that he or she has. One feels that one has so much knowledge of arts, sciences or even spirituality. This inevitably leads one to believe in his or her greatness and uniqueness.  Unfortunately, even pursuit of spiritual knowledge without the guidance of a Guru can lead one to this assumption.  Let us go about in seeing how false this assumption is.

Have you ever questioned as to the primary source of ALL Knowledge? Is it not true that unless you are, there can be no question of a 'you' acquiring knowledge of any kind? Then let us start from the very beginning. The very beginning of a "you". Yes, you, the reader. Let us explore as to where you came from. Can you trace yourself back to the beginning? Just try. Going back is simpler than it appears. In your mother's womb, you were not aware of your own existence (the fact that you are).  Let us call it 'ignorance' of the fact that you are.  However, after the birth of the body, which you now assume as your self, spontaneously and without any particular cause, you came to KNOW you are.  From the 'ignorance' sprouted this Knowledge of Being.  Initially, this was just a generalized knowledge of Being.  Neither being this or that. Just Being.  Then, somewhere in your first two years of existence, this Original Knowledge that you are, became identified with the body and the thoughts.  With this came the idea of being an entity, an entity with a body and mind.  An entity that calls itself "I". Once this "I" idea or thought took hold, there was no going back!  The story just became more and more complicated. Concepts were added over other concepts and here you are thinking of yourself as a person. You now want to be free as you are utterly fed up with the continuously changing concepts about your own self. You are unable to find out who you really, really are.

This knowledge 'I am' (or consciousness) is the very foundation on which all other knowledge depends.  Because of this Knowledge 'I am" (or consciousness) there is the appearance of the world.  This very Knowledge when acting through the senses creates the world for you.  This very Knowledge gives rise to the "I" and the feeling of being an entity. This very Knowledge is the source of all that you know and can ever know.  It is indeed this Knowledge- 'I am", which is so great since it is the creator of all that is known as well as unknown. It is therefore the most valuable of your assets. Pray to this Knowledge -I am. Hold on to IT. Since IT is the source of a 'you', it is also the source of the way out of a 'you'. It is therefore the gateway to freedom. Hang on to IT.  When you thank the Lord, you are actually thanking this Knowledge-I am, for it is the greatest of all. Jnana (Knowledge) is all there is.

Don't you think it is appropriate to go back to where you came from so that you can once and for all identify who you really, really are? Instead of wasting time burying yourself in more and more concepts, is it not appropriate for you to inquire into the primary concept? Do not just read but meditate over what is being said by all the ancient sages. This Great Knowledge I am is available for free to everyone. It is just of matter of paying attention to IT.

Pure Consciousness, Self Consciousness and Consciousness of Objects

There is often a lot of confusion about the use of the word consciousness. While it can loosely be defined as 'awareness of one's own existence, sensations, and surroundings', when used in Advaita literature, it can have a whole different connotation. We will explore the meaning behind consciousness as used in Non-Duality literature.

In your unmanifest natural state, you are Pure Consciousness or the Absolute. In this so called state, there is no awareness of being or not being. This state is beyond description but definitely one that is intuitively known to a Jnani (Realized).

Then, there is the state of Self Consciousness or the state of Awareness of Being, or knowing that I am. It is this state of Self Consciousness which is experienced by all but ignored by almost all but a few.  It is the state which is always known to everyone as the sense of Presence. No one reading this blog right now can deny their own existence at this very moment. It is simply the state of Being. Not being this or that. Just Being.

The next state is the state of Consciousness of Objects or the state of being a Jeeva (individual or ego). In this state, one thinks of oneself as being this or being that and attaches attributes to the original state of being.  In this state, the primary knowledge "I am" gets further translated into the concept "I am so and so" or "I am this body" or "I am John".  Simply put, one attaches a name and form to the primary concept "I am".  The "I am" gets polluted with multiple and constantly changing attributes such as " I am happy", or "I am sad" or "I am rich" or "I am poor" or  "I am enlightened" or "I am ignorant" and so on and so forth. What is evident is the fact that the attributes are limitless and always changing veering from one opposite to the other.  A state of utter confusion and delusion.

Most seekers are stuck in the state of a Jeeva until they meet or somehow come across the teachings of a Guru, who then shows them their True Nature as being other than the body or the mind.  Some will realize the state of Self Consciousness and fewer still will abide in their ultimate state of the Absolute.

While these states and classifications are meant to make it easy for the ignorant Jeeva to understand, in essence they have no such demarcations. It is all ONE and there can be none other than the One. All these states etc. are only to get the Jeeva to understand the essence of One-ness of all. All questions arise in the state of Consciousness of Objects.

Pride- The Biggest Obstacle

For years and months you may have been struggling to find the answer that has been so elusive. But, when it happens, it happens in a flash. In a fraction of a second, it all becomes clear. The whole story becomes obvious. You Realize that the one searching is the one sought.  It is after all an epiphany that occurs to most of the seekers.  There is no doubt that for quite some time thereafter, there are a multitude of emotions that pass through the mind. One may cry or one may laugh for even small occurrences.  One realizes how simple it all is and yet so elusive.

The big problem is that the ego is not going to surrender that easily.  It has vested a lot a in maintaining its portrayal of being real.  The ego has over the years become a behemoth. It will not go down as easily as that, just because it became clear in an instant that it is totally, totally false. The ego is now ready for a final fight. A fight for its own survival. It will do all it can to make sure that the sense of "I am this body and mind" survives despite the Blessings and Grace of the Guru.  All of you readers have read about the many stories of battles between the good and the evil.  In the various ancient mythological stories and up to the modern times, these stories are all pervasive.  Now the story is all too familiar as it is being fought, right here at home.

The ego makes one feel like " I am a Realized Person".  The ego makes one say " I know something that you (poor ignorant fellow) don't yet know".  The ego makes one feel like " I can help the mass of suffering humanity".  In many a case, the ego is slowly but surely winning ground.  This is most evident in the fact that the one who is Realized begins to slowly fall into this trap. In fact, the trap is so slippery that the fall is all the way to the bottom.  All that has been achieved is lost so easily, to the ego, to the sense of pride in the "me".   The ego ( the "I-thought") behaves in a manner that makes one feel superior to the ignorant others. How can all these people be so ignorant- you begin to say to yourself.  There is a look of bewilderment in those who cannot follow what you say but can feel that there is some element of truth in what you are saying. Some may even begin to call you a 'guru'.  There may be adulation from the ignorant masses. Slowly but surely, one begins to fall in the trap of the "name associated with the form", which is none other than the ego, this 'me'. The once beaten down "small me" becomes a BIG ME.  After all, this "me" is now Realized, Enlightened.  "I am now the ONE"- you are convinced.  Pity the poor ignorant people who just cannot "get it"- you begin to think to yourself.  It is all too common to see many a guru who falls into the trap of the ego, enjoying all the adulation, enjoying all the very traps of wealth and fame which they ask their followers to despise and discard.

There  is no bigger obstacle than PRIDE.  Pride in the sense of achievement is the biggest obstacle to True Realization. So, how does one go about avoiding or battling this pride - which is none other than the ego masquerading as pride? This where the Guru comes into the picture.  The Grace of the Guru should never be forgotten.   One should unblinkingly think of the Guru at all times. One must never, ever, feel that they have achieved anything in life. All achievement is the Grace of the Guru. One must be totally, totally convinced that "I have never done anything ever".  All that is, is the Grace of the Guru.  Again, and again,  it is exhorted here, that TOTAL SURRENDER is a must. One must surrender completely to the Guru. As soon as the ego raises its head up, and it will do so many many times, it must be decapitated.  Give up all sense of pride in being an individual. Remember, there are no individuals. There is only Consciousness and all belongs to Consciousness.

Don't Go Chasing Experiences

The experience is what the seeker hopes will give him/her realization of the Truth. Unfortunately, this myth has been perpetuated by misinterpretation of the teachings of the ancient texts on Advaita.  Strange as it may seem, only one who has Realized can truly understand the message of these ancient texts without misinterpretation. While the purpose of these texts or teachings is to point a seeker towards the Truth of who they are, the paradox is that the real meaning cannot be grasped until the seeker Realizes the Truth.

Most seekers are chasing experiences throughout their spiritual journey. They have been told or somehow come to the conclusion that Self Realization is some sort of everlasting ecstatic experience where once and for all the world as it is ceases to exist. This cannot be farther from the truth of it.  One must realize that all experiences have a beginning and must therefore have an end. What begins and ends cannot be the Truth for the Truth is eternal and that implies no beginning and no end.  After the so called ecstatic experience ends, the experiencer, which in this case is the seeker, goes back to the same mundane state or field of mundane experiences and ends up being disappointed.  Remember, what comes and goes is not Real. Then what is Real? Obviously, any experience cannot be real for all experiences must have a beginning.

The object of experience can exist only if there is an experiencer.  There must be experiencing for there to be an experienced. There must be experiencing for there to be an experiencer. The only common factor is experiencing. One must focus the mind on the experiencer.  As soon as the experiencer is realized to be a false entity, the object of experience disappears and all that remains is experiencing. Experiencing is always in the present.  It is always here and now.  There is no experiencer or experienced, only experiencing. Experiencing is the manifestation of Consciousness and is only in the realm of Consciousness. Being is experiencing, without an experiencer or experienced.

So, would you still chase experiences knowing that it is a futile effort? Stop it, right here and now. Just BE.

Knowledge is Ignorance

What you seek in the form of knowledge has to be based on the Primary Knowledge that you exist. This Knowledge of Existence is delivered in the form of the thought 'I am". You KNOW you ARE.  There is no doubt about it. You are absolutely certain about your existence without anyone telling you about it.  In your Original True State, you did not know you exist and then all of a sudden this Knowledge appeared spontaneously. This knowledge or "I-consciousness" arose spontaneously in your early childhood. You took this knowledge as being true and thereafter started building a story about yourself being an entity with a body and name. The "I-consciousness" or the Knowledge 'I am' is the Primary Illusion. Based on this illusion, you have gone about accumulating more and more indirect or acquired knowledge. Never having questioned the validity of this Primary Knowledge, your quest for spiritual knowledge was pursued in the wrong direction! The spiritual knowledge or indirect knowledge is nothing but more layers of ignorance(not knowledge as you think) added upon the Primary Illusion or Primary Knowledge of "I-consciousness".  Hence, despite all your claims to understanding of the pointers to your True State, you have continued to suffer because you have failed to understand this Primary Knowledge.  Suffering means that you have continued to search and seek out knowledge or experiences.

It is imperative that you question as to how this Primary Knowledge or consciousness came upon you. This Primary Knowledge can be present only as long as this body form is nourished with food and maintained. When this food body disintegrates (called 'death' in common lay terms), then the Primary Knowledge departs.  So, where has all your accumulated knowledge gone to?  What is the use of all your accumulated indirect knowledge of the arts, spirituality, sciences etc.? What is the sum total of all your indirect knowledge and experiences?  Could you have had any experience of any kind without consciousness?  Is it not true therefore that all experiences are in consciousness? And is it not true that you have placed so much emphasis on the experiences and on the indirect acquired knowledge of spirituality without inquiring as to who or what is the primary experiencer? Is it not true that all your sadhana (spiritual practice) is only to perpetuate and pay homage to the acquired knowledge and experiences? Can you in all sincerity ask yourself these questions and come to conclusions?

This Primary Knowledge is time bound and body bound. Therefore it is not eternal. What you truly, truly ARE is THAT, which is ETERNAL.  Eternal means that which is not born and therefore does not die, that which is timeless and therefore any thing cannot be IT.  So, it is essential to analyze and understand the true nature and origins of this Primary Knowledge and having understood that it is only an illusion, an appearance bound by time, you discard it as not you. The Primary Knowledge- I am, is itself not the Truth but it is all that you have access to. Therefore, while you must pray to this Primary Knowledge as your God, you must realize that what you truly, truly ARE is Prior to this Primary Knowledge.  Question this Primary Knowledge of I am.  Stay with this Knowledge.  Pray to this Knowledge.  It will lead you to Its Source. Keep the mind focused on this Primary Knowledge, the Knowledge 'I am'. Anything else you think about is leading you away from Its Source.  As this author's Guru Nisargadatta Maharaj pointed out- "Go back. Recede." Realizing that you are Prior to any knowledge or ignorance, can you take any pride in knowing who you truly, truly ARE?

What you truly, truly ARE is prior to or beyond any knowledge and ignorance. Discarding all knowledge and ignorance as not mine, I rest in my True State which is the Stateless State of THAT.  I am THAT.

Transcending Consciousness- Part 2 (Simple Analogy)

It is suggested that you read Part 1 of this article before reading this part. As is evident after reading part 1, that this can all be quite confusing to the ordinary mind that is conditioned to create a concept out of every bit of knowledge.  What is being pointed to in Advaita literature is beyond the reach of the mind as the mind is a content of THAT and there is no way one can describe THAT with the mind.  It is similar to one being unable to see their own eyes without a mirror.  The reflection in the mirror is not your real eye, but the reflection definitely gives you an idea of how your eyes appear to others when they see your eyes.  The pointers are all meant to give you an idea of what Reality is, but nothing beyond that. One has to leave the mental concepts behind and let intuitive process take over. Let us see if there is some analogy that will make the discussion of the Absolute and consciousness easy. Remember this is just an analogy and cannot obviously be taken at face value.

Let us take the example of the computer. Right now you are in front of one of the computer monitors, it is assumed. The computer runs on electricity or electrical power. The computer can be compared to the physical body. The computer memory or the hard drive is the brain.  It stores previous memories and also is able to display the knowledge based on its previous memory (education or knowledge put in) through the computer screen or monitor (similar to your organs of speech etc.).  The electricity can be compared to consciousness, which is required for the computer to function. The computer can display its knowledge through the monitor or the speakers only if there is electricity (consciousness).  Therefore, the consciousness is the power that makes this physical body function. When the computer is in the sleep mode, there is no sound coming from the speakers and nothing seen on the monitor.  The knowledge or memory is still intact in the computer and it can easily be woken up on the touch of a key.  In the same way, when the physical body is asleep, the knowledge cannot be displayed as the organs of speech and action are all asleep at the same time.  The consciousness is however latent in the body for on waking up all these organs function to allow the body to display its knowledge.  If the electricity (consciousness) is completely cut off, there is no way the computer (the physical body) can function.  The computer can no longer display its knowledge, whether through sound or the monitor.  Although, the memory chips and the hard drive are still in the computer, it cannot function. The computer is said to be "dead". Just like the physical body which is unable to function without consciousness and is called "dead".  Now, what are the memory chips and the hard drive made up of? Are they not made of silicon and metal and other inert material?  Just like the physical body which is made up of water, carbon, oxygen, etc., all inert materials?  So, it becomes clear that it is the consciousness (electricity) that is the basis of functioning of the inert material of the physical body or in the case of this analogy, the computer. So, who has the knowledge? The inert material of the computer or the electricity (consciousness)?  Is it not clear that all knowledge is in the realm of consciousness, including the knowledge of being a 'me'?  Don't get excited as yet!!

Now, the electricity itself has to come from somewhere, isn't it? THAT which creates electricity is the source of electricity.  In the same way, THAT as the Absolute, is the source of consciousness.  Or to put it more precisely, the consciousness is a reflection of the Absolute. Of course, the flaw in this analogy would be the fact that electricity comes from coal, or nuclear material, or hydro (water) and therefore cannot be a perfect analogy as such. However, if you can somehow accept the fact that water or coal or uranium by itself is inert and there is some force or energy that is released from these materials to create electricity, then the analogy seems more acceptable. Okay?  So, everything is essentially energy (or contains energy like the coal etc.) and it is just the energy that is able to make everything function. However, if you actually look for energy, it is not something tangible and has no shape (roopam) or form.  It is not something that can be described other than saying that it is some force that makes things happen or move or function. THAT (the Absolute) is not concerned about what is being done with the electricity (consciousness) or for that matter how the functioning is taking place. While all the functioning is taking place in consciousness, the Absolute is not affected by the functioning in any way.  YOU ARE THE ABSOLUTE!

At this time, the one thing you are absolutely sure of, is the fact that you are conscious. You did not do anything to be conscious, did you?  It arose spontaneously.  Is there any way for a 'me' to attain or go prior to or beyond consciousness? Can a 'me' actually transcend consciousness? If so, who is this 'me' that wants to do so?  Can there be a thought of a 'me' or 'I' without consciousness?  Does this not make it clear that this whole process of transcending consciousness is actually a game played in the mind, by the mind and for the mind ( a 'me'). In reality, there is no entity called 'me' that can transcend consciousness for the 'me' is nothing but a subsequent product of consciousness. It is similar to a shadow wanting to get behind the object that created it in the first place!  So, what do you want to do?

Transcending Consciousness-Part 1

The consciousness is your friend, as well as paradoxically, your enemy if you do not transcend it. It is doorway to the Absolute (the Parabrahman- para meaning prior to or beyond). Right now the only connection you have to the Absolute is the consciousness. This consciousness is the source of all manifestation. As long as the physical body is nourished, the consciousness will continue to function through that body.  When the body "dies", the consciousness merges with the universal consciousness and the body which is made up of the elements merges with the elements (water, air, earth, etc.). This consciousness is the source of the thought "I am".  With this knowledge that you are (the knowingness- I am) you are able to say " I have knowledge".   Based on this basic or primary knowledge that you exist, you are able to build all other mental concepts. And on these concepts, you want to build yet another concept of the Absolute or Parabrahman or whatever else you want to label THAT.  However, you have ignored the primary concept of the knowledge that you are and instead have been chasing useless concepts.  This Knowledge (that I am) has no name (namam) or form (roopam).  Being formless and abstract, you have ignored this primary knowledge or knowingness or consciousness. This message 'I am' (consciousness) is the gateway or the door to the Absolute. The consciousness is your friend as hanging on to it will lead you to its source, which is the Absolute. The Absolute is beyond any words or mental concepts.  Therefore, all that you can know is only in the realm of consciousness. Realize that!

Everything that is consumed or exhausted is unreal- meaning, not permanent. While consciousness is a reflection of the Absolute, it is unreal in the sense that it can manifest only through a body. If the body is not maintained and nourished, then the consciousness can no longer function through it. Since this body will eventually be exhausted, the consciousness itself is not going to last forever.  But, it is all that is available to you. It is the source of all knowledge.

Therefore, after knowing the consciousness, one must not stop there and realize that the REAL YOU are PRIOR TO CONSCIOUSNESS.  Many a seeker will stop at the level of consciousness and assume that the manifestation is real.  Being grounded in consciousness, one is falsely led to believe that the world and the universe is real.  Therefore, the statement that "the consciousness can be your enemy". To be in one's True State, one must discard even this consciousness as unreal and transcend it.

Once one fully understands the nature of consciousness, it is imperative to realize that you are not just the consciousness.  The consciousness is the gateway or the doorway to the Absolute.  You are at the boundary between consciousness and no-consciousness.  Leaving consciousness behind, one is in the Natural State or the Absolute.  You are THAT which is prior to consciousness.  Having said that, consciousness is all that you have to express any kind of knowledge. Even this writing is because of consciousness and in consciousness. And because of consciousness, it is being read and comprehended by consciousness itself. In fact, all of this is happening in consciousness. There is no one (no entity) doing anything.   Therefore, everything is consciousness. The content of consciousness is consciousness. 

You are the KNOWER OF CONSCIOUSNESS. Since the Absolute is beyond any words, only pointers can be used to describe your True Nature, which is the Absolute.  The word THAT is only a pointer to your Natural or True State.

Merging into Consciousness

Right now, your only capital is this beingness. With this knowledge, you go about your worldly life taking this world of objects to be real. Having never questioned the reality of this world, there is a sense of insecurity and vulnerability as there is no certainty of what the next moment will bring for you. The world out there appears alien to you and you are always in fear of the world out there.  You have tried all the methods prescribed by the self-help gurus out there and yet you are suffering.  There is still something missing- and yet you cannot pin it down. What is this sense of incompleteness? This sense of incompleteness will persist till consciousness is able to know its true nature.  It longs for one-ness. By creating a separate entity - the ego, the 'I-thought'-through identity with the body-mind, there is separation from the one-ness. Only when the ego merges into its Source, can this separation end and with it comes the peace. 

This can come about only by Jnana or Knowledge obtained through Self-inquiry. No other method will do. All rituals are activities and they only feed the ego. The ego looks for the fruits of the action, as it believes it is the do-er of activities. No ego- no doer- no karma. That is what true Knowledge brings.  Where all karma ends, then one is merged in one's Source.

You are the Unborn

You are the Unborn. To many, this statement is difficult and perhaps impossible to comprehend. But, to a discriminating seeker, the understanding of one's True Nature, brings together the simplicity of this statement. As is often said here, the Truth is very simple, if only one makes the effort to inquire. Let us try to figure out why you are the Unborn.

First, one must verify if you are really born. Did you experience your birth? No? If not, on what basis do you say that you were born on so and so day, month and year? Is it not true that you were told "you"( meaning the body) entered this world from the womb of your mother, on a particular day and time? So, what you call "my birth day" is not direct knowledge but one that is acquired from others. It is because, you identify yourself with this body, that you willingly accept what others tell you about your being born on a particular day.  Can you truly say that you were not before the body came into the world from the womb? Can you deny the fact that the fetus in the womb was not you?  So, what exactly is your date of birth? Is it the time of conception, which is nothing but the mating of the sperm with the ovum? The sperm and the ovum are nothing but the products of the essence of the food eaten by your parents. So, would you say that your birth was when the food was eaten by your parents and in that case, what food and when? You get the gist of this argument!! In the same way, the question of death can be resolved. You can never say "I am dead" upon dying!  Only those who have the knowledge "I am" can make the claim that "so and so person identified by this body is dead".  So, there is no question of you experiencing death either.

In the absence of experience of birth and death, how can you make such claims? Is it not true that your claims are based purely on hearsay and without direct experience of either event? What you know for certain though is the fact that you ARE- the fact of your existence. It is your direct experience, right here and right now. You cannot say " I am not" with any certainty at all.  There is direct knowledge of your existence and it is not hearsay either.

Birth and death are events in time. Time is itself a concept in the mind. But, you as Pure Awareness, exist prior to the mind. Hence, you are timeless or prior to time. That is, there is no beginning or ending, i.e. birth or death, in the absence of time.

So, you may ask, what exactly is born? What is born is the primary concept "I am"(or the primary illusion) and with that primary concept came all other concepts including time and space. The consciousness falsely identifies itself with the body and thereby is established the idea "I am the body".  As a result of these concepts, one comes to falsely believe in the concept of an entity being born and dying.  The body being nothing but the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether) mixes back with the elements upon "death" and the consciousness mixes back (so to speak) with the Universal Consciousness. So, who is born and who dies?