We have been hearing and discussing many things . From ancient scriptures, from teachings , from mahavakyas. All this is useful only for convincing our intellect or budhi. The outcome is that we grasp that something is wrong in our life, something very basic needs to be corrected and yet the solution is at hand in our own being. But the most important question is "How to reach there?".
Let me quote from Nisargadatta Maharaj in " I am That"
"All are being liberated. It is not what you live, but how you live that matters. The idea of enlightenment is of utmost importance. Just to know that there is such possibility, changes one's entire outlook. It acts like a burning match in a heap of saw dust. All the great teachers did nothing else. A spark of truth can burn up a mountain of lies. The opposite is also true; The sun of truth remains hidden behind the cloud of self-identification with the body."
As the Isa upanashid says
All very correct but what are the steps?
Is sadhana required ? .If so what is that sadhana?. Is sadhana meditation alone or is it something more?. Is it hard ?. and so on.
Depending on what the individual feels, many people evolved various ways. Some say no sadhana is required . Only knowledge is required. Some say knowledge is the first step , we need constant sadhana to achieve there. A guide is one who can demystify the process .
Some people however hard they try come back to mundane life and get stuck there.
The reason for this varied approaches and successes is because, it is purely a subjective experience.
What works for one may not be an ideal fit for someone else. The knowledge we have , the conditioning of our thinking processes are all so varied and different.
So how can we go about this journey?. There are a few things which we can state which applies to all methods.
1) Have the firm conviction that there is a possibility of self realization and it is truly the exalted state in which any being can be. Consider this as a possibility that you can explore. It is this will that would overcome the vasanas.( tendencies).
2) While you are on the journey towards that, listen to yourselves and take steps accordingly. If you feel that something needs to be done in a different way , do it by all means.
3) Carry out life's responsibilities , but make this also the most important goal of your life.
4)Contemplate a lot on the teachings and discussions. Not just while you are reading it, but also during life activities. Apply it to your life.
5)Invest in meditation so much so that it is a continuous activity . Live in meditation.
6) Don't get worried about any results as we all know it is a slow and long journey for most. Even during the journey you would start feeling differences. This is because of the thoughts getting clarified and your subconscious itself getting clear.
7) Turn your thinking inward all the time as much as possible. If the thoughts come , filter them if they are not of the self. All our disruptive thoughts are of second and third person thoughts ( you , her , he it etc).
Abandon them and feel for the self awareness(first person I) all the time. We will speak about this later.
8) Never worry about whether you reach anywhere or not. The journey itself is a great thing. But persistence is the most important trait.
9) Once you reach the true state of awareness stay there . Hold on to it . Identify yourself with it. If you have reached this much you would know as you would always be ecstatic and would be only in the moment all the time. Intermediate stages exist you where you are off and on . Go on.
Let me quote from Nisargadatta Maharaj in " I am That"
"All are being liberated. It is not what you live, but how you live that matters. The idea of enlightenment is of utmost importance. Just to know that there is such possibility, changes one's entire outlook. It acts like a burning match in a heap of saw dust. All the great teachers did nothing else. A spark of truth can burn up a mountain of lies. The opposite is also true; The sun of truth remains hidden behind the cloud of self-identification with the body."
As the Isa upanashid says
hiraNmayEna pAtrEna satyasyApihitaM mukham |
tat tvaM pUShannapAvRuNu satyadharmAya dRuShTayE
With the golden lid the face of the Truth is covered.
It is only to the true seeker the truth is revealed.
Is sadhana required ? .If so what is that sadhana?. Is sadhana meditation alone or is it something more?. Is it hard ?. and so on.
Depending on what the individual feels, many people evolved various ways. Some say no sadhana is required . Only knowledge is required. Some say knowledge is the first step , we need constant sadhana to achieve there. A guide is one who can demystify the process .
Some people however hard they try come back to mundane life and get stuck there.
The reason for this varied approaches and successes is because, it is purely a subjective experience.
What works for one may not be an ideal fit for someone else. The knowledge we have , the conditioning of our thinking processes are all so varied and different.
So how can we go about this journey?. There are a few things which we can state which applies to all methods.
1) Have the firm conviction that there is a possibility of self realization and it is truly the exalted state in which any being can be. Consider this as a possibility that you can explore. It is this will that would overcome the vasanas.( tendencies).
2) While you are on the journey towards that, listen to yourselves and take steps accordingly. If you feel that something needs to be done in a different way , do it by all means.
3) Carry out life's responsibilities , but make this also the most important goal of your life.
4)Contemplate a lot on the teachings and discussions. Not just while you are reading it, but also during life activities. Apply it to your life.
5)Invest in meditation so much so that it is a continuous activity . Live in meditation.
6) Don't get worried about any results as we all know it is a slow and long journey for most. Even during the journey you would start feeling differences. This is because of the thoughts getting clarified and your subconscious itself getting clear.
7) Turn your thinking inward all the time as much as possible. If the thoughts come , filter them if they are not of the self. All our disruptive thoughts are of second and third person thoughts ( you , her , he it etc).
Abandon them and feel for the self awareness(first person I) all the time. We will speak about this later.
8) Never worry about whether you reach anywhere or not. The journey itself is a great thing. But persistence is the most important trait.
9) Once you reach the true state of awareness stay there . Hold on to it . Identify yourself with it. If you have reached this much you would know as you would always be ecstatic and would be only in the moment all the time. Intermediate stages exist you where you are off and on . Go on.
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