Discovering Self

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.

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Discovering Self