End Of Knowledge

Tag: advaita

  • Self Inquiry For Tough Times

    When life is going smoothly, it’s easy to do self-inquiry and say, “I’m not the body.”  But what about when the going gets tough?  Am I able to maintain my poise and distinguish between myself and the body when it really counts? 

    It’s clear that at some point in time the body will die.  That’s as guaranteed as the sunrise and sunset so there’s not much point in being overly concerned about it.      

    Besides, if I’m consistently dedicated to self-inquiry then it should also be clear that while the body will surely die, I will not.  I am the eternal, ever-present, unchanging self.  I was never born so I will never die. 

    So instead of obsessing over the news, dwelling on political nonsense or indulging in fearful speculation, I bring my mind back to the knowledge that I am the self over and over again.  I remind myself that what will happen in the world will happen, regardless of whether I obsess over it or fear it.  But no matter what happens, I am always completely fine.  So while I’ll surely take the necessary precautions to protect my illusory body, I do it with with peace of mind, always remembering who I really am.  OM.          

  • Steady Wisdom: Day 92

    Steady Wisdom: 108 Verses On Changing My Thinking

    DAY 92

    I am undifferentiated. For me there is no karma, no liberation-in-life and no liberation-in-death. 
    -Ashtavakra Samhita 20:4
    Meditation

    I am one alone and I have no internal divisions or differences.  In the absence of distinctions such as the agent of action (ego), the instrument of action (body) and the action itself, how can there be action (karma) at all?  Since action does not truly exist I cannot be bound by action or its results.  Because I am not bound, I do not need not be liberated, either here in this life or in death—not that life and death apply to me in the first place.  OM. 

    Read Series Introduction

  • Steady Wisdom: Week 13 Progress Check

    Steady Wisdom: 108 Verses On Changing My Thinking

    DAY 91

    “Everything is indeed myself, from the creator of the universe down to the smallest tuft of grass.”  The one who knows this for certain becomes free from conflict of thought.  They are pure, peaceful and free from care for what is attained and not attained.
    -Ashtavakra Samhita 11:7
    Meditation

    The inescapable conclusion of, “Everything is indeed myself” is that nothing but myself exists.  What is spoken of as “everything” is merely an idea falsely superimposed onto myself.  That being so, where is thought and how could I be in conflict with it?  How could I be tainted when nothing other than myself exists to taint me?  How could I be disturbed when there is nothing to disturb me?  How can I be free of care when care itself is a false notion?  OM. 

    Read Series Introduction

  • Steady Wisdom: Day 90

    Steady Wisdom: 108 Verses On Changing My Thinking

    DAY 90

    I cannot be purified by the practice of yoga.  I cannot be purified by destroying the mind.  I cannot be purified by a teacher’s instructions.  I am reality itself and purity is my nature. 
    -Avaduta Gita 1:48
    Meditation

    I can only purify myself if I am contaminated.  I can only be contaminated if something other than myself exists to contaminate me.  But I alone exist. 

    The body and mind can be purified through yoga.  The mind can be purified (destroyed) through meditation.  Ignorance can be purified by the teacher’s instructions.  But once the ignorance of my true nature is gone, I see that I have always been pure and nothing can change that.  OM.  

    Read Series Introduction

  • Steady Wisdom: Day 89

    Steady Wisdom: 108 Verses On Changing My Thinking

    DAY 89

    My belief in duality has ceased.  Of what value is a mind free from thought and desire? Of what use are the scriptures or self-knowledge?
    -Ashtavakra Samhita 20:2
    Meditation

    I have seen through the illusion of duality and what is illusory can have no real value.  Further, value itself has no basis when nothing exists outside of myself for me to value.

    Yes, a mind free of thought and desire was necessary for me to be able to properly approach the scriptures.  And the scriptures were an invaluable sign that pointed to the truth of my nature.  But now that they have helped me realize I am non-dual consciousness-existence, what purpose can they serve?  Now that I’ve found the “object” of my inquiry (myself), I no longer need the “finger” (scriptures) that pointed to it.  Nor do I need a mind free of thought and desire because the direct realization of my true nature has shown me that I am naturally free of both.  OM.

    Read Series Introduction