Hari OM
'Text-days' are for delving into the
words and theory of Advaita Vedanta.
We are now studying Aatmabodha. As
always, with each week, you are encouraged to review the previous teachings and
spend some time in contemplation of the meanings as the affect your life.
Please do consider purchasing the text. Remember, also, to recite the mangala charana before each study and
review the lessons before each new one.
The
sutra given in yesterday's Narada Bhakti Sutra post, regarding the nature of a
supreme devotee, was short and to the point… 'tanmayaaH'… living absorbed (in
that Divine Love). As so often occurs when learning Vedanta, texts find points
at which there is strong cross-pollination, as it were; a juncture which ties
much together. So it is that we now have a shloka in this text which endorses
the absorption, but now from the view of the jnaani.
sMyiGv}anvaNyaegI
SvaTmNyevaiol< iSwtm!,
@k<
c svRmaTmanmI]te }anc]u;a.47.
Samyagvijnaanavanyogii
svaatmanyevakhilam sthitam,
Ekam
cha sarvamaatmaanamiikshate jnaanachakshushaa ||47||
The perfect yogi of Realisation and Enlightenment
sees, through his 'eye of wisdom', the entire universe in his own Self, and
regards everything else as his own Self and nothing else.
The
jnaani who has applied his or herself to the path of knowledge and who comes to
the stage of Self Realisation; who has completely integrated the mind so that
it sees the Oneness of Self everywhere; who has rubbed clean the lower nature
and the ego in order to live harmoniously with the Higher within; whose BMI are
fully controlled and no longer disturbed by the pull and allure of the
pluralistic world; such a jnaani ca be considered Mahaatman - a great soul -
and this one see the entire world as but a manifestation of that Self now
identified with and thus knows that the Self is in every contact now made.
This
pure personality sees no separate factor driving the outside world as to that
driving the Self within it. There is total absorption in That Unity of
Existence and nothing exists separately from it; such is the belief and
experience of the yogi.
The
individualised soul, the jiivaatman, was held back by ego; held I the bondage
of limitations. Now it is blasted away and only the Aatman exists. There is
total and absolute fulfilment of being for the yogi and the completion of
life's purpose is theirs.
SAADHANA
These
may seem like short readings… but remember at all times just reading and
closing the page is not the purpose here. Take these concepts and teachings
into your own bosom. Roll them around in you mind and intellect. Meditate upon
them. Nothing here is simple theory. Everything has been lived by the wise ones
who have walked before us. Let these promises, these examples, be the
motivators, the carrots to follow. Such declarations are here to provide us
hope that we too can perfect ourselves.
