To share some of the philosophy of Vedanta, on Monday you were introduced to the Mahaavaakya "Prajnaanam Brahma". The next level of thinking is...
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?
अयं आत्मा ब्रह्म / ayam aatmaa brahma;
Aatmaa and Brahma are one and the same.
Aatmaa is the individualized self, Brahma (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 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.
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.
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| © Yamini MacLean |
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 MacLean |
Aatmaa and Brahma are one and the same.
Aatmaa is the individualized self, Brahma (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 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.
 |
| © Yamini 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.
I would agree it is a hard and focused contemplation and I admire your dedication.
ReplyDeleteHugs HiC
this is a LOT to learn and think about. It sort of makes our tails spin.
ReplyDeleteOh I was trying to go deeper but I just kept getting stuck on your picture and how it looks like when Captain Kirk gives his chief engineer, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, the command "Beam me up, Scotty" when he needs to be transported back to the Starship Enterprise. I kept thinking maybe that is how it would feel to dematerialize in deeper thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a friend
Sweet William The Scot
Wow, this would be hard for anyone but I think especially for anyone in our country where we are so oriented on "I"! It is so totally ingrained it would be tough to recognize it before trying to put it aside! You rock. BTW, BAR#2 was just announced. Beth will detail on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteC
Big self and little self...not sure at times where I am or should be.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
that sounds so interesting... and I think it is THE way to learn more about myself and "being" generally...
ReplyDeleteNamaste
ReplyDeleteWhere do you consider yourself on this journey? Being faithful in moving toward the goal requires so much self discipline. There are days I feel I am only beginning the journey. On rare occasions there is a brief glimpse of what wholeness could hold. janice xx