Hari
Om
Monday is AUM-day; in search of meditation
Continuing the overview of the Mahaa-vaakyas…
तत्त्वं असि / tat-tvam asi;
That thou art.
Having resolved all doubts and concerns regarding the nature of the
substratum of existence which is described as Consciousness, it must then be
taken on board that, if all else arises from that cause, then 'I' the ego self,
must also do so. The guru, seeing the
student is ready, heartily declares 'you are that only!' and sends the eager
thinker away to ponder deeply on this part of the connection of the little self
with the Big Self, the individual with the Totality.
As all doubts and concerns on this second level of acceptance clear,
the student must now be wondering about what follows. Everything arises from
That, and "I" am That, therefore every thing seen must be a
reflection of 'myself' as That, is it not?
© Yamini Ali MacLean |
अयं आत्मा ब्रह्म / ayam aatmaa brahma;
Aatmaa and Brahman are one and the same.
© Yamini Ali MacLean |
Aatmaa is the individualized self, Brahman (Consciousness) is the
Total Self. They are one and the same and in fact have no division. The
illusion of individuality is researched at great length in the early stages of
philosophical study... at this level, the sadhak is to firm up the
understanding and make the Knowledge his or her own. Removing all traces of
illusion is the key to this third level of thinking.
As the seeker ascends this scale of philosophical examination, the
standard of meditation is also extremely high... it is not the going and
sitting for musical 'time out' in a nice community hall or back yard somewhere.
It is not the letting of monkey mind have whatever rave party it likes as you
sit with eyes closed and desire to sleep.
This is hard, focused, determined contemplation.
The reward for the one who can bring the mind into that pin-point,
laser-sharp focus is to move into the cry, which is the fourth of the great
statements.
© Yamini Ali MacLean |
अहं ब्रह्मास्मि / aham brahmaasmi;
I AM Brahman (Consciousness)
It is a rare individual indeed who can scale the heights of inner
research to lose that individuality and merge with the totality. Saints and
sages of history have done this, however. What is more, due to the strict
adherence and preservation of the scriptures, the various methods and protocols
are available for all who think they would like to 'recreate the experiment'.
Many would pretend it. For the most part, the only harm done is to
their own personality.
Sincere and willing participants in the discipline, though, will
find great benefit along the way. Even if not attaining the highest goal, they
cannot fail but to become the very best human beings possible.