Miscellaneous - Religion   

Look inward

CHENNAI : The greatest challenge for human beings is to understand the Self, the inner essence of one's existence. This awareness is totally experiential and not conceptual. Time and again, truly realised souls have been born into this earth to impart this "inner awareness" in many unique ways.

Amongst the galaxy of such preceptors, Sri Ramana Maharshi is one whose impact is distinctive since he adopted the subtle method of silent teaching, said Nochur Sri Venkataraman in a discourse. The crux of his instruction was to direct individuals to locate the experience of "I am" within them.

Silence is a great asset in the practice of the arduous task of introspection. In this process one has to look for the Self, "the inner I", and probe its nature and character. Without any concern for time or place one needs to get immersed in this search single-mindedly. If one is able to live in the present state, without any thought for the past or future, and experience the blissful nature of "I am" sans bodily and worldly connections, then one begins to understand and experience the Self.

It realises itself as "existing" independent of the body and the outside world, and is able to see itself as part of an infinite unbroken whole continuity. This is the "Knowledge" or Jnana that a realised soul possesses. Once this state of awareness is reached, one is cleared of the misperception that happiness is linked with sense objects and worldly concerns.

Sustained awareness of this state is the goal, but it is hard to attain. In most cases it occurs in spells of varying periods of time. This is because the mind interferes and tries to make it appear as if it is the mind and body combine that performs and understands. Unless the real obstacles that distract and deter the pursuit are identified and kept away, the blissful experience is to be lost.

The essence of penance is attaining the state of experiencing the inner feeling. Birth, status, religion or caste cannot stand in the way of a soul engaged in this quest for self-realisation.

The understanding has to be final and without any doubt whatsoever. Only when the soul realises the wholesome divine state, can ultimate peace of mind and absolute state of bliss be attained. The unique feature of spiritual experience is its motiveless urge.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword 8485
Solution to Puzzle 8484
Look inward
dated December 28, 1955: Nehru's call to countrymen
dated December 28, 1955: Training for teachers
Weather

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu