MIND : Its Mysteries & Its Control - Chapter-37 Continued , Swami Sivananda.

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Monday, November 07, 2022. 08:30. 

CHAPTER -37 : ESSENCE OF JNANA YOGA

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ENQUIRY OF ‘WHO AM I?’ " :

Moksha (release from the Samsaric wheel of birth and death) comes through Jnana(knowledge of Atman or God). Jnana comes through Vichara (right enquiry) of ‘Who am I?’ orunderstanding and thinking of the right essential significance of the Mahavakya, “TatTvam Asi” (Thou art That) of the Upanishads. Enquiry of ‘Who am I?’ and understandingof ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ are one and the same.

Brahma-Jnana, which enquires into the true nature of ‘I’ is the fire which destroys themind. It is the ‘Jnanagni’ referred to in the Gita (IV-37): “Jnanagnihsarvakarmani bhasmasatkurute tatha-The fire of wisdom reduces all actions (and thefalse ‘I’) to ashes.”

When any thought arises in the mind, enquire: Why has this Vritti (modification)arisen? Whom it concerns? Who am I? All the thoughts will die eventually. All mentalactivities will cease. The mind will turn inward. It will rest on Atman. This is VedanticSadhana. You will have to persist constantly in the Sadhana whatever stray thoughts arise.The one thought ‘Who am I?’ will destroy all other thoughts of worldly nature. Thatthought will die by itself. Ego will vanish. Balance left is Kevala Asti; Chinmatra;Kevala Suddha Chaitanya; Chidakasa-Matra which is Nama-Rupa-Rahita (free from all namesand forms), Vyavahararahita, Mala-Vasana-Rahita, Nishkriya, Niravayava, which isSanta-Siva-Advaita of the Mandukya Upanishad. That is Atman. That is to be known.

The Sakshi Bhava :

It is the Vritti (modification in the mind) that binds you with the object. Youidentify yourself with the Vritti and, through the Vritti, with the object. That is thesecret. Be a Sakshi (silent witness to the activities of the mind) of the Vrittis of themind. There will be no longer bondage. Be the seer of the mind’s dramatic performances andbe not involved with the mind itself.

When you see a man suffering from appendicular colic, you do not feel yourself anypain. But when you get the same colic, you cry out and experience intense agony. Why?Because of egoism (Ahankara) you identify yourself with the body. If there is absence ofAhankara, you will not feel any pain. This absence of Ahankara can come only when youbecome impersonal, when you become the Sakshi, when you identify yourself with Brahman(Absolute).

“I am neither Prana nor the senses. I am quite distinct from these. I am Sakshi(witness) for these and their activities. I am Sat-Chit-Ananda Svarupa.” This aloneis sufficient for the Vedantic Nirguna meditation (formless meditation without anyattribute). At once you will be elevated to the highest pinnacle of glory. This is thebest formula.

If you have a strong Nischaya (determination) only on the above formula, it is termedParoksha Jnana (indirect knowledge of Brahman). If you have actual Anubhava throughmeditation, it is termed Aparoksha Jnana (direct intuitive knowledge of Brahman) orAtmasakshatkara.

If you go above body-consciousness, if you can abandon the body-idea and if the mindrests on Atman or the Self, then, doubtless, you are Sukhi, Santa and Mukta (happy,peaceful and free).

Mind has got a reflexive power of looking up into its own depths. A Raja Yogi developsthis power. Introspection helps to cultivate this Yogic faculty. Enter into silence nowfrom today in a dark quiet room. Watch the mind carefully. Be patient. Do not identifyyourself with the mind. Be a Sakshi or a silent witness. Separate yourself. You candirectly perceive the various mental states.

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Next- Soham Dhyana

To be continued

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