“The Supreme Lord is self-luminous, unborn and immeasurable. He is pure transcendental consciousness and perceives everything. One without a second, He is realized only after ordinary words cease. By Him, the power of speech and the life airs are set into motion.”
-Lord Krishna to Uddhava
Srimad Bhagavatam 11/28/35
The last post was about “Sri Krishna” being the “Absolute truth” or at least the idea of the absolute principle, the universe or totality as it is, both specifically personal and impersonally all-pervasive. This post is about how the highest aspect of that principle is pure transcendental consciousness. According to the Vedas and Agamas, that pure consciousness is the true identity of what we all refer to as “The Self” both individually and universally.
Since the mind/ego complex creates an effect wherein we perceive the Self to be the body/feelings/Id, the true Self can only be realized or experienced when ordinary words (both internally or externally audible) cease, since it is our internal dialogue which is constantly creating and imposing its bias, preferences, and perceptions onto consciousness in the form of the subject/object duality and limited egoic Self-appearance.
The result of this mistaken identity is called “Suffering” by the wise like Sri Krsna, Buddha, Shiva, and many of the great Rishis, and saints of the east.
Pure consciousness, however, is beyond words or constructs and cannot be experienced through them. Trying to perceive the Self via the senses, mind, or ego is like trying to capture the entire universe, through all time and space, in a single insta post. Can’t be done!!!
Yogis have developed a vast array of techniques, mantras, and mediations to directly quiet the noise and impositions which cloud our perceptions of reality as such.
The simplest technique I can suggest is to begin to watch your breath and establish your mind in its ‘ever-coming and ever-going’ as a perfect metaphor or illustration for life cycles.
The Self is called Pranava, which means that which rides/dwells in the breath. By slowing down the breath, the mind will slowly become still, and when the mind naturally stills, all there is left is called “Pure consciousness” by the yogis.
Let me know if you practice meditation and tell me something about your experiences meditating! Have you ever experienced “The Self”?
Stay tuned for more!
#Jainitai
