End Of Knowledge

Tag: self-knowledge

  • Steady Wisdom: Day 65

    Steady Wisdom: 108 Verses On Changing My Thinking

    DAY 65

    The universe is merely an illusion.  Of what interest can it be to me?  What reason is there to fear death? 
    -Ashtavakra Samhita 3:11
    Meditation

    The body-mind will surely die.  But seeing as the body-mind is part and parcel of the illusory universe, its death is also illusory.  What reason is there to fear an illusion? 

    Further, what does an illusion have to offer me?  Similar to the way that food in a dream cannot satisfy hunger in the waking state, I cannot find satisfaction or security in the illusory world after I’ve awoken to my true nature as the absolute reality.  OM. 

    Read Series Introduction

  • The Practical Application of Vedanta

    Q: What is the practical application of Advaita Vedanta in everyday life?

    A:  The conclusion of Advaita Vedanta is: Brahman alone is real; the individual person you think you are is illusory; the essence (true nature) of the illusory person is brahman; therefore, you are brahman.

    What is brahman?  Immortal, unchanging, limitless, self-existent consciousness. As such, it does not suffer when the body and mind suffer.

    So what is the practical application of knowing that you’re brahman?  Well, when you’ve realized the truth of Vedanta for yourself (that you are brahman), the illusory world doesn’t suddenly disappear. It continues on just as before.

    But the difference is that instead of going about your life riddled with the anxiety caused by believing that you’re the body-mind, you can live your life knowing that no matter what happens to the body-mind, you are always completely okay (because you are really brahman, not the body-mind). When this is clear, you no longer have to rely on the state of the body-mind (or it’s external circumstances) for security and peace of mind. You understand that as brahman, security and peace are your very nature (insofar as you are ever-present, unchanging and undisturbed by the world).  Bringing this knowledge to the forefront of your mind when you’re presented with life’s difficulties is the practical “application” of the self-knowledge gained from Advaita Vedanta.

    All my best – Vishnudeva

     

  • Steady Wisdom: Day 58

    Steady Wisdom: 108 Verses On Changing My Thinking

    DAY 58

    I am the non-dual and indestructible self.  Everything is me so there is no reason to feel attached to acquisition. 
    -Ashtavakra Samhita 3:1
    Meditation

    I alone exist.  Since there is only myself, what can I acquire?  I am the one changeless, indestructible reality.  What can I fear to lose?  OM. 

    Read Series Introduction

  • Steady Wisdom: 8 Week Progress Check

    Steady Wisdom: 108 Verses On Changing My Thinking

    DAY 56-Week 8 Progress Check

    Arjuna said, “What is the description of the person with steady wisdom, whose mind abides in the self?”
    Krishna said, “The one who is not affected by adversities, who is without yearning for pleasures, and is free from longing, fear and anger, is said to be a wise person whose knowledge stays unshaken.” 
    -Bhagavad Gita 2:54 & 56
    Meditation

    I am the self.  I am not affected by adversity.  I do not yearn for pleasure.  I am free from longing, fear and anger.  But freedom from adversity, yearning for pleasure, longing, fear and anger is not a state I attain—it is my very nature.  When my mind conforms to this knowledge, it is said to have steady wisdom.  But I, the self, am free from wisdom, steady or otherwise.  OM. 

    Read Series Introduction  

  • Steady Wisdom: Day 55

    Steady Wisdom: 108 Verses On Changing My Thinking

    DAY 55

    Knowing I am really the self, I play the game of life without being deluded by it. 

    -Ashtavakra Samhita 4:1

    Meditation

    This much is clear:  I am the self, the one reality; the body, mind and world are false.  Despite knowing this, the body, mind and world continue to appear.  But this is no problem because I am no longer deluded by their appearance.  OM. 

    Read Series Introduction