Self Realization is actually simple and easy especially when compared to the difficulty in abiding as the Self (That). All Realized Gurus will emphasize the importance of abiding in the Knowledge of Being That (the Absolute). Having read, or listened to the teaching of an Advaita Guru, one finds that if the intuitive sense is let free to explore, then the words and sounds of the Guru infiltrate deep into one's Heart and one will definitely realize at some point, the True Nature of one's self. Yet, having deeply understood the meaning of the Guru's words and teachings, many a seeker will be left unsatisfied. There could be many reasons for this but let us explore a few.
The main obstacle to abidance in one's True Self, is the fact that one has persistent identification with the mind-body apparatus. This is because of the constant need to have an identity in this world to function. Everyone in society has an identity, a name based on identification with this human body. Even cats and dogs are given names to identify whom you are talking about. Therefore, a name and form are an essential element of communication in this world that we live in. Then comes the realization that you are actually neither this name nor this form, thanks to the teachings of your Guru. You may ask "Now what?". Or you may say, " How do I respond when someone calls me by the name with which I have associated for so long?". As mentioned before by this author, life goes on just the same with or without self realization. There is no need for a dichotomy or a dual personality here. You are what you have always been. Remember that the realization is essentially the removal of the false to reveal the Truth. This is where worship and constant remembrance of the Guru is absolutely essential. With every thought and action, if the Guru is invoked, one continues to gradually dissociate from the very idea of being this body-mind apparatus. Yes, even when you function in this society, you can do so without being attached to the actions or the rewards.
It is not for nothing that the ancient sages have repeatedly warned that the path of Self Realization is like walking on a razor's edge. It is easy to fall off the path and into this illusory world. Such is the power of Maya. Only the constant thought of the Guru can keep one balanced on the razor's edge.
Showing posts with label Maya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maya. Show all posts
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Monday, January 16, 2012
Devotion After Realization
Realization is spontaneous. There is actually nothing any one does or can do to "attain" Realization. For, in reality, there is no individual entity apart from the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient ONE. So, where is the question of a separate entity if all is ONE. In that case, the topic of today's discussion is an oxymoron, isn't it? It seems to be a total contradiction of what is just said above. So, why is it important to have devotion even after so-called Realization?
While Realization of one's own True Nature is effortless, becoming established or abiding in the Reality is not so. The pull of Maya (illusion) is very strong. All of this is Maya. This discussion and the quest for Realization is all part of Maya. The Ego is a ghost but a strong ghost. It has established its identity and strength over time and there is no way the Ego is giving up without a fight. In fact, this is well established in all ancient mythological stories as the fight between the good and the evil. The evil in this case would be the Ego. Strangely, it is the ego fighting the ego, since this entire play is happening in the mind (which is nothing but the ego itself!). Confusing? Well, this is where the ego eventually wins over if not guarded against. The mind will create all types of thoughts which will doubt the very Realization. While one may have an Understanding, the trap of the Ego is ever present. True Realization comes when the Ego does not rise up anymore.
This is where the Guru comes to the rescue as always. Constant devotion to the Guru is a must to remain established in Reality. Constant devotion is no different than constant attention to the Guru. Even though the Guru may be thought of as a form (Saguna), it is intuitively known that the Guru is the formless Light who is within all (Nirguna). Remember that all forms and manifestation arise from the formless Unmanifest. There is no difference between form and formless. The formless is the Satguru. For the mind, it may be easy to express devotion to the Guru with a form. It does not matter so long as devotion is directed towards the Guru. Praying to the Guru and having one's attention directed towards the Guru at all times is absolutely essential in remaining established in one's own Reality.
May the Satguru pull you within into the Ocean of Bliss and Peace.
The author remains eternally grateful and pays his obeisance at the feet of the Satguru, who in the manifest form appeared as Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj to reveal the Truth.
While Realization of one's own True Nature is effortless, becoming established or abiding in the Reality is not so. The pull of Maya (illusion) is very strong. All of this is Maya. This discussion and the quest for Realization is all part of Maya. The Ego is a ghost but a strong ghost. It has established its identity and strength over time and there is no way the Ego is giving up without a fight. In fact, this is well established in all ancient mythological stories as the fight between the good and the evil. The evil in this case would be the Ego. Strangely, it is the ego fighting the ego, since this entire play is happening in the mind (which is nothing but the ego itself!). Confusing? Well, this is where the ego eventually wins over if not guarded against. The mind will create all types of thoughts which will doubt the very Realization. While one may have an Understanding, the trap of the Ego is ever present. True Realization comes when the Ego does not rise up anymore.
This is where the Guru comes to the rescue as always. Constant devotion to the Guru is a must to remain established in Reality. Constant devotion is no different than constant attention to the Guru. Even though the Guru may be thought of as a form (Saguna), it is intuitively known that the Guru is the formless Light who is within all (Nirguna). Remember that all forms and manifestation arise from the formless Unmanifest. There is no difference between form and formless. The formless is the Satguru. For the mind, it may be easy to express devotion to the Guru with a form. It does not matter so long as devotion is directed towards the Guru. Praying to the Guru and having one's attention directed towards the Guru at all times is absolutely essential in remaining established in one's own Reality.
May the Satguru pull you within into the Ocean of Bliss and Peace.
The author remains eternally grateful and pays his obeisance at the feet of the Satguru, who in the manifest form appeared as Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj to reveal the Truth.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
No Pathway To Heaven
It is true that most if not all people hold the idea of a Heaven and hell. An After life, so to speak. The sad thing is that they have not figured out about this current life! Yet, it is amazing to see the amount of discussion and literature on After life and Heaven or hell. This is indeed part of the amazing story, the story created by the power of Maya (illusion). Maya tries to draw you more and more into the illusion and you willingly fall for it. You are in this free fall of confusion and suffering and all you pray for is to go to heaven one day. A Heaven, where you hope you will eventually become free from all this suffering created by this manifestation. A picture of Heaven has been instilled in your mind by various sources and now there is something to look forward to. Ah!, a place of utter happiness, which will be an escape from this miserable world. Yet, you have no evidence or knowledge of Heaven. You are eager to know about this Heaven. This is the beacon of hope for you. A hope that will you keep your mind distracted from the present circumstances. You may ask yourself "but what is wrong with hope?". After all, you have been told by many spiritual leaders that hope is your best bet to end this present cycle of suffering and misery.
With this idea in mind, you go about your frustrating life. One fine day, you wonder if this is all a false hope. You are now very desperate to find out about this whole story of life and after life? What about the NOW? What can I do about now, this very life? You are now very eager to KNOW your own self and the relationship between your self and the world and Heaven and all else. And you start praying for an answer. An answer to know who you are and what is this life and what exactly is Heaven and who is God. If indeed the desire to KNOW is sincere and honest, then out of nowhere the Guru appears. There is an ancient saying in the East- 'when the student is ready-the teacher appears'. This saying is very true and those who have had this experience will testify to the same.
The Guru gives you the knowledge about your own self. He says that you must first know your self and then you shall know everything. But, but,....what about.....?, you have so many questions. The Guru asks you to remain attentive to your own self, this undeniable feeling of being, this undeniable sense of presence, this undeniable knowingness, this undeniable knowledge that you are. You trust your Guru for you have complete and unshakeable faith in the Guru. You do exactly as He says. You trust the words of the Guru. You have the CONVICTION in the words of the Guru. For the Guru has come to you and has taken the trouble to find you, that is the least you can do for the Guru. Faith and conviction is all He is asking for.
Nothing more needs to be done. Just CONVICTION in the Guru. Then suddenly in a flash, you Realize your True Nature, your own Self. With this Realization, everything becomes CLEAR. Everything unravels. All the questions fall away. You Realize that you are NOT an entity called "me". Never have been. Indeed, you are the Pure Awareness in which everything appears. Everything, including Heaven. Appearances have no reality. Pure Awareness is the only Reality. You have always been and always will be the Pure Awareness. Pure Awareness IS. There is no question of a heaven or hell or afterlife. You have Realized that Heaven is WITHIN YOU. Where is the question of a pathway to Heaven? And more importantly, TO WHOM?
The author pays homage to the Guru who is in ALL.
With this idea in mind, you go about your frustrating life. One fine day, you wonder if this is all a false hope. You are now very desperate to find out about this whole story of life and after life? What about the NOW? What can I do about now, this very life? You are now very eager to KNOW your own self and the relationship between your self and the world and Heaven and all else. And you start praying for an answer. An answer to know who you are and what is this life and what exactly is Heaven and who is God. If indeed the desire to KNOW is sincere and honest, then out of nowhere the Guru appears. There is an ancient saying in the East- 'when the student is ready-the teacher appears'. This saying is very true and those who have had this experience will testify to the same.
The Guru gives you the knowledge about your own self. He says that you must first know your self and then you shall know everything. But, but,....what about.....?, you have so many questions. The Guru asks you to remain attentive to your own self, this undeniable feeling of being, this undeniable sense of presence, this undeniable knowingness, this undeniable knowledge that you are. You trust your Guru for you have complete and unshakeable faith in the Guru. You do exactly as He says. You trust the words of the Guru. You have the CONVICTION in the words of the Guru. For the Guru has come to you and has taken the trouble to find you, that is the least you can do for the Guru. Faith and conviction is all He is asking for.
Nothing more needs to be done. Just CONVICTION in the Guru. Then suddenly in a flash, you Realize your True Nature, your own Self. With this Realization, everything becomes CLEAR. Everything unravels. All the questions fall away. You Realize that you are NOT an entity called "me". Never have been. Indeed, you are the Pure Awareness in which everything appears. Everything, including Heaven. Appearances have no reality. Pure Awareness is the only Reality. You have always been and always will be the Pure Awareness. Pure Awareness IS. There is no question of a heaven or hell or afterlife. You have Realized that Heaven is WITHIN YOU. Where is the question of a pathway to Heaven? And more importantly, TO WHOM?
The author pays homage to the Guru who is in ALL.
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