The Soul (contd.)
The Soul, also known as the 'Self', is the core of the substance, rather the center, the power that holds! All these terms in English do not come anywhere near the true meaning of the term Atman in Samskrutam. Since Soul is an English word it has Biblical connotation that is different from the concept held in spiritual texts in Sanskrit (an anglicized term that should not be used henceforth), i.e., Samskrutam. Anyway, the term Soul or Self is what is to be realized by us. 'Know thy Self' is the Master's advice to his student. That thou art (tat tvam asi) says the Teacher. one has to know who he is before one leaves his mortal body. But most of us die before we know who we are, where do we come from, and where do we go from here after death. The problem is such that I only should try to know and understand who I am and no body else can help me in this search. i am bound to take repeated births in order to know this and there is no solution to this problem. Great Sages have realized this and have become role models. Hence, we too may try as they did and achieve what they have attained, i.e., the knowledge of the Self, Atmajnyan. Instead what we normally do is to pay some money and join the brigade of a mediocre Guru and waste all our time, energy and resources. We run to temples, go on pilgrimages, search for a Guru/ a teacher in the hope of getting some help. But, no teacher can help us in this matter, even if he is an attained soul, since it is 'I only who should know who I am, my Self'.
But there is no way to know this. All the scriptures are mere pointers. The seeker only should try to know his true nature since he is the subject of this realization.
How to know oneself, one's Self? There is no way! the Self is not an object for observation or study. It is the Self, oneself. The Self knows all. There is nothing to know if one knows oneself, ones Self.
"Words and thought return without reaching there", says the scripture. Our Senses, Mind and Intellect are not equipped with the power to know or understand the Self. The Self has to see itself, know itself. It has the power of knowing both the outside world and the inside of itself. It is Atma.
Meditation is the sure path to 'Realization of the Self'.
The Self or Atman can be realized in deep contemplation. However, the prerequisites for this are: 1. satsang, 2. study of scriptures, 3. contemplation on the doctrines concerning the Self, Atman. It is a continuous effort; it requires steadfastness. it is the only job ordained by the supreme Lord to all of us. In fact, we are wasting our time eating and sleeping and most of the time engaged in sensuous life - one of sport, pleasure and profit. Only a mature person will turn inward and search for emancipation and all others live like children always engaged in play. If a child plays with toys the elderly ones play with automobiles and real estate.
(to be Contd.)
One who knows one's self is Brahman.
The Soul, also known as the 'Self', is the core of the substance, rather the center, the power that holds! All these terms in English do not come anywhere near the true meaning of the term Atman in Samskrutam. Since Soul is an English word it has Biblical connotation that is different from the concept held in spiritual texts in Sanskrit (an anglicized term that should not be used henceforth), i.e., Samskrutam. Anyway, the term Soul or Self is what is to be realized by us. 'Know thy Self' is the Master's advice to his student. That thou art (tat tvam asi) says the Teacher. one has to know who he is before one leaves his mortal body. But most of us die before we know who we are, where do we come from, and where do we go from here after death. The problem is such that I only should try to know and understand who I am and no body else can help me in this search. i am bound to take repeated births in order to know this and there is no solution to this problem. Great Sages have realized this and have become role models. Hence, we too may try as they did and achieve what they have attained, i.e., the knowledge of the Self, Atmajnyan. Instead what we normally do is to pay some money and join the brigade of a mediocre Guru and waste all our time, energy and resources. We run to temples, go on pilgrimages, search for a Guru/ a teacher in the hope of getting some help. But, no teacher can help us in this matter, even if he is an attained soul, since it is 'I only who should know who I am, my Self'.
But there is no way to know this. All the scriptures are mere pointers. The seeker only should try to know his true nature since he is the subject of this realization.
How to know oneself, one's Self? There is no way! the Self is not an object for observation or study. It is the Self, oneself. The Self knows all. There is nothing to know if one knows oneself, ones Self.
"Words and thought return without reaching there", says the scripture. Our Senses, Mind and Intellect are not equipped with the power to know or understand the Self. The Self has to see itself, know itself. It has the power of knowing both the outside world and the inside of itself. It is Atma.
Meditation is the sure path to 'Realization of the Self'.
The Self or Atman can be realized in deep contemplation. However, the prerequisites for this are: 1. satsang, 2. study of scriptures, 3. contemplation on the doctrines concerning the Self, Atman. It is a continuous effort; it requires steadfastness. it is the only job ordained by the supreme Lord to all of us. In fact, we are wasting our time eating and sleeping and most of the time engaged in sensuous life - one of sport, pleasure and profit. Only a mature person will turn inward and search for emancipation and all others live like children always engaged in play. If a child plays with toys the elderly ones play with automobiles and real estate.
(to be Contd.)
One who knows one's self is Brahman.
