SELF-REALISATION.(GOD_REALISATION).    Part 6.

 “TRUTH”  is another name for “GOD”.  We need to have a burning desire to  realize  the “TRUTH”.  It is important to understand  that  “GOD  or  TRUTH” is already in us. We are not   trying to  gain  “GOD-HOOD” or  “SELF-HOOD”.  We are only trying to realize that which we already are. “GOD” cannot be  gained.  If  “GOD” can be gained today, we will lose him tomorrow.   “GOD” is not an   object  to gain or lose. “GOD” is a subject. We need to realize that which we already are. We are only re-discovering what we already are.

We need to have a burning desire,   intense yearning  to realize  “SELF-HOOD”.  This is called in Sanskrit  ‘Mumukshatwa’.  That is,   we need to be free from all predispositions , tendencies and temptations  and vasanas  to realise  “GOD-HOOD”.   That is, we need to have a pure and serene mind. Otherwise, unconditional worship   and  meditation is not possible. Lord Krishna calls it “ANANYA YOGA”.  That is, we  need  to worship with yoga of ‘non-otherness’.   Because, you are  worshipping  to realize that you are none other than  “BRAHMAN”.  Non-dual  worship  with fearlessness is important .  Because,  Fear leads to “DUALITY”.  Why are you afraid of yourselves?  You are only trying to realize what you already are. That is, in true worship, you have to lose  yourselves  in  “GOD” , your true nature. 

We ned to constantly reflect on the fact that we  are not  this body ,but, this is our body. We have an obligation to take care of this body, Just as we take care of our shirt. But, always, constantly remembering   the finite nature of this  body  and infinite nature of our being,   till we realize our true nature. That is, we need to be liberated from the bondage of  Ajnana,  Avidya  and ignorance. 

Besides unconditional worship,  SELF-ENQUIRY  (vicara)  ,plays a major role in  “SELF-REALISATION” ,  Says  Sankaracharya and Ramaa Maharshi.   It is ignorance that is withholding  “our true nature”.  Through constant enquiry  (vicara ) of the nature of  ‘ignorance’,  the ignorance disappears  and  “SELF” will shine through in all its  ‘GLORY’. 

the law of the nature is: that when you look at anything as  separate from you, you cannot love it, because you’re afraid of it. If you look at ‘GOD’ as separate from you, you can’t love God unconditionally, because you are afraid of  ‘GOD’. If ‘GOD’  is other than you, you cannot love  ‘GOD’ like you do your self. You may love ‘GOD’ conditionally, because you’re afraid that he will punish you. Alienation causes fear.’GOD’ is separate from you, causes fear.  Duality increases the fear,  and fear of  ‘GOD’ , deepens our alienation. 

It is the fear of ‘GOD’ that makes us do all sorts of rituals to satisfy  ‘GOD’  .  Can  ‘GOD’  be satisfied? Can  ‘GOD’  be pleased? If God can be pleased, he is someone other than you.  Hence,  doing  ‘rituals’ without proper knowledge, leads to further alienation from ‘GOD” , and fear of ‘GOD’ increases .  this This  requires proper knowledge of the self.  With the  proper knowledge of the self, rituals will become a means to an end.  ‘end’ being  ‘self-realization’.  Hence, ‘Jnana or knowledge of  ‘Aham Brahmasmi’  or  Tatwam Asi’ is very essential .  The vicious circle of  ‘Duality’  and the fear of  ‘GOD’ has to be broken.  Only belief in Mohavakyas  of vedas can  break this vicious circle and make the way for proper rituals and worship.

Unconditional  worship , unswerving  devotion, ritualism with proper knowledge, developing oneness  and no otherness is very important in realizing our true nature, “the SELF.” When you know beyond any doubt, that the same self is there in all and you are that ‘SELF’ , your love of all  is natural.   God’s  love  towards all is the same. Shloka 29, chapter 9 in Geeta  says: ‘the same am I to all beings, to me there is none hateful nor dear .  But if you  worship me unconditionally,in due course, you will realize that you are none other than me.because, I  the ‘SELF’ am there in all.  Every one of us, in our true nature,  are none other than  ‘GOD’. 

So, if we seek  ‘GOD’ unconditionally, we become the  ‘SOUGHT.’ If we love ‘GOD’ unconditionally, we become one with him.  “True love is to identify with  the beloved”. 

So, all our worships,all our devotions and  all our rituals are,  not to gain  something from  ‘GOD’,  but  to realize him as our true nature. If we are always remain absorbed in union  with ‘BRAHMAN’  at all times, in all places and under all conditions,   in all our endeavors ,  in due course, we realize that we are not this  ‘mortal garb , but, we are that immutable,  omniscient , all-pervading,  self-luminous,  imperishable and  eternal  ‘BRAHMAN’, our true nature.

So, let us arise, awake and make an effort to become aware of our true nature: ‘GOD-HOOD,  SELF-HOOD,  BRAHMIC- STATE.’ 

                                                                   Dr.  K.  Eswara Dutt.