Self- realization

Self-Realization

What is the self? It is an age old question. Almost all religions consider realizing the self is the only way to put an end to misery in human life. I have seen many people run after many ‘spiritual masters’(Gurus)  in order to achieve this. But what these ‘spiritual masters’ advice them is an inward journey to find within ‘a realized soul’. Every human being is blessed with a potential to achieve this realization. But what happens is that man seeks this realization in material things such as money, power, and love (human love) in vain.

The path to self-realization is quite simple yet strange. With some simple techniques, one can start the journey towards it. If you closely observe, we can find that ‘thought’ is the root cause of worries and tension. And this ‘thought’ itself is the greatest stumbling block on the way to self-realization. We need to have an empty mind. We need to arrive at a ‘thoughtless state’ where even the ‘thought of not having a thought’ must not be there. It is a pure nothingness. It is pure being. It is existence per se. It is being in itself. It is a state where you simply ‘are’. At this stage you are not concerned about what you have and what you don’t have. You are neither obsessed with what you do and what you don’t do. It is a state where you are not disturbed by  your words, deeds and thoughts.

(Mansa Vacha Karmana)

 The state of thoughtlessness can be obtained by a simple exercise. In fact, we all tend to stare at things, events, and people. For a moment try to let your forehead be loose. Let your forehead be relaxed. Let your eye brows be normal. You will find that you are more relaxed than ever. The second step is doing a simple breathing exercise  (Pranayama in Indian philosophy).  You breath in and breath out as slowly as you can. Listen to the sound of your breathing process. Forget about everything else outside. You will find an inner peace within you. Later, try to hear your heart beats and at this stage if you are able to listen to this feeble sound, you will find a greater serenity within you.

The second step to thoughtless is abstaining from unnecessary comparison with others. Stop comparing yourself with others. Don’t compare yourself with others to see that they are ‘happier’ than you. Don’t compare to see that others are ‘wealthier’ and ‘healthier than you’. Don’t compare to find that you are not pretty as others. On the other hand, you can compare yourself with those who are poor, sick, disable, crippled, orphans, and those who are suffering in different ways.  You can count your blessings and you will never lament on what you don’t have. Instead you will appreciate WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU ARE.

Thirdly, say good bye to your spirit of competition with others. You always try to prove that you are better than  others. You want to be the first. Don’t try to prove anything. You have nothing to prove. And if you are satisfied and contented, people will use you as a ‘mirror’ to see themselves. Don’t try to use others as mirrors. You become the mirror so that others can see themselves clearly. Be realized. Enjoy the simple things around you. It may the garden in your courtyard; It may by a simple food prepared by your wife; It may be the loving presence of your child; It may be the loving touch of your spouse. It may be the cordial company of an intimate friend.

Don’t go after people. Instead, let people come after you. DON’T TRY TO FORCE YOUR VIEWS ON OTHERS. LEAD OTHERS WITHOUT MAKING OTHERS INFERIOR. BE HUMBLE. BE OPEN. BE FLEXIBLE. DON’T BE PREJUDICED. ACCEPT EVERYTHING. STOP JUDGING. STOP DEFINING ANYTHING. ONCE YOU DEFINE YOU LIMIT IT. FOR INSTANCE, DON’T DEFINE YOUR LOVE. LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. BE LOVE. BE COMPASSION. BE HUMILITY.

Time is the supreme leveler. If you are in any problem, leave it for time. You will find that that problem gets solved in course of time. Be active without effort.

Believe that self-realization is possible. It is at your finger tip. By a simple shift of mind, with some practical steps you could be realized fully. You could be happy for ever. Put an end to your miseries. Be happiness.