Who am I? Recognizing Atman (Self) by Jnana Yoga (32)

Summary:

Lesson 32 shares process of recognizing Atman (Self).

Terms used in class:

  • Bhoka:
    • Context 1: Enjoyer (when Atman is identified with anandamaya-kosha as result of having attains object of desire).
    • Context 2: Enjoyer / sufferer. A consequence of being a doer in this world who constantly does actions.
  • Karta: Doer (when Atman is identified with vijnanamaya-kosha; the thinker, doer, performer).
  • Prayojanam: Refers to the benefit  the text provides to the reader. How will my life improve after I going through this material?
  • Sādhana: Refers to the means or practice required to achieve a goal.
  • Sambandha: Refers to the relationship between the means (sādhana) and the end (prayojanam). EG: The relationship between the means (Bhagavad Gita) and the end which the reader is looking for (life management / moksha), is that Bhagavad Gita is a step-by-step instruction manual for attaining both.
  • Vairāgyam: Absence of coloring in. Seeing things as they are without adding/subtracting unrealistic or imaginary value onto it.
  • Vyāvahārika: Empirical reality we all experience. EG: Sun, clouds, trees, wind, gravity, colors, etc.

STAGE 1 of Jnana-Yoga: Recognition of Atman (Awareness as yourself):

The Hand Example

We used hand example and asked “What do you perceive?“. Answer goes on features of the hand (Object/Mithya). One fails to acknowledge the light in whose presence the features/attributes are illuminated. We miss the obvious, what's always present.

For same reason we miss Self which illumines every thought/emotion/conversation.

To know the “light” (equated to consciousness), you don't have to see it. But cognitively understand, because features (mithya) is seen, it implies presence of light.

Awareness is like light

Light illuminates the hand. Awareness illuminates your experiences. Neither are affected by what they illumine. EG: Light continues shining when hand is removed or changes form

How to prove Awareness remains independent of thoughts/emotions? When mind thought is present, are you Aware? Yes. When thought is no-more, are you Aware? Yes. Thought has gone out of existence, and something remains existent, I.

Thought and Awareness Relationship is Satya-Mithya

Relationship between thought and Awareness is like between waves and Water. The waves are changing, yet the content of the wave remains the same. Similarly, the thoughts/emotions are changing, but the content (Awareness) remains ever present.

Awareness doesn't move

Light as though appears to move when the hand (object) moves. Actually only hand moves. Thus the hand can be considered the karta (doer of movement). And only karta an accrued punya/papa. Punya/papa doesn't belong to light.

Similarly, karta doesn't belong to Awareness (my real nature).

STAGE 2 of Jnana-Yoga:

Learn to IDENTIFY with Consciousness as Myself. Discussed in session 33.

Intro: In this stage, the focus shifts from merely recognizing Atman to identifying with it as one's true self. From birth, the assumption “I am the body-mind” is deeply ingrained due to the natural functioning of ahaṃkāra, the ego that claims ownership of experiences and creates a sense of individuality. This misconception is dismantled through jñāna-yoga, which involves a systematic study and contemplation of the teachings of Vedanta under the guidance of a qualified teacher.

Ego, or ahamkara, resists this shift because it has long identified with the limited body-mind, creating a false sense of self. However, with the guidance of a teacher and the wisdom of śāstra, the student must assertively claim their true identity as Ātman, the consciousness that pervades the body.

This involves consistently objectifying thoughts and emotions, recognizing them as mithya (they depend on the conscious being, which is you, for their existence), and affirming, “I am the consciousness pervading this body.

Benefits of Practicing Karma Yoga and Jnana-Yoga

Spiritual Values:

  • Vairagyam (Dispassion):  Recognize that external elements like weather, government, family, or work environment are beyond personal control. So it doesn't help complaining or wishing things (that you can't change) were better, as it only costs your peace of mind.  
  • Self-Reflection: The issue lies within us, not the world. As Swami Dayananda Saraswati says, “You are the problem. You are the solution.” The necessary correction involves shifting from reliance on external objects to recognizing their limitations and fleeting-nature.
  • True Independence: Depend on your true self (Atman; Awareness) rather than the ego-driven self for peace and security. Embrace the attitude: “Objects around, wonderful! Not around, wonderful!” This is true freedom. Ensure this independence is genuine, stemming from the understanding that you, as Awareness, are inherently free. This requires honesty and self-awareness.

Benefit of Self-Knowledge:

  • Jīvanmukti (Inner Freedom): Experience inner freedom here and now, while living within societal norms. A jivanmukta‘s body persists until prarabdha karma is exhausted, as it is part of the empirical reality governed by Ishvara‘s laws.
  • Beyond Individuality: Upon death, jivanmukta is one with Brahman as Brahman. I am everything, full, complete. Never again to find self wearing another limited body.

Recorded 15 Jan, 2019

 

10 Comments

  1. Hi Andre ,

    Greetings!!
    How could I focus from changing to unchanging which is atman!!
    For e.g I like sex and am aware that body like sex and enjoy it ..so now how could focus from changing to unchanging ?
    do I stop doing sex ? But I know it make me happy? Please explain.. I am confused focusing on unchanging ? What does this mean ?

    1. That’s what the whole program is for. Needs to be undertaken in order. No skipping. At least start from CH7 at yesvedanta.com/bg

      All the way to CH18. After seen at least 30 videos in order, then ask based on the new understandings.

  2. Hi Andre You have explained all chapter very well !! I am totally impressive , please become my Guru and clear my doubts!!Yes I have listen all video starting from till chapter 32 .. am planning to watch it again all to understand more .Today I had watch video 32 , I totally understand that we are not body mind and intellect and we are completely awareness who known to all objects (body /thoughts ) still not clear about focus on unchanging!! I believe people will go where he found happiness like mostly people found happiness in liquor or sex !! I know it’s temporary but it’s gives happiness!! I know until we attach with material world we keep taking birth .. but does that mean we should not do sex or drink and fully liberated from worldly objects

    1. Dear Tarun. It’s unwise to suddenly cut all ties with things which have given us satisfaction for long time. Whether it’s computer games, sex, liquor, etc. In reality, cutting ties only agitates the mind even more. And mind will find something else to satisfy itself anyway.

      Basically, continue as wish with whatever is currently giving contentment. While continue to immerse yourself in this knowledge. And slowly-slowly, the relationship towards all things will take a different tone.

      Advaita does not deny the needs of physical body. It doesn’t say “no sex, no this, no that”. It over-time, slowly shifts identity to Self (which is already full and complete). More that happens, the less one has need to engage in other things. Or one can still engage in other things, but with a much cleaner intention.

  3. Sir,Thanks for your response!!
    But how self is full and complete!!
    We have to do lot things for survival in this material world!! We keep study to get job and then married for companionship! And make more money for kids education.. I believe self is complete when we adopt sanyasa ashram not with householder ashram!! As education cost is so high which does not make self complete and full .

    1. Dear Tarun. Your view of sannaya advantage over householder would hold up strongly in Vedic times, or even 200 years ago when life was much harder. Today, life is easier. We can easily go to library or park for quiet time. Or dedicate hour or two in our room.

      What’s more, householder in many ways is BETTER then sannyasa. Householder gives context or relevance to the teaching. Living alone, in more cases then not, it remains merely intellectual as it’s not applied in the workforce, spouse, friends.

      In short, sannyasi has no better/worse advantage then householder. It’s about how dedicated you are. A sannyasi has excess time on their hands, thus mind can easily wonder. Whereas householder can’t afford to waste free pockets of time, making them more productive and serious.

  4. Hi Andre,

    Neuroscientists say that matter creates consciousness. It’s called materialistic reductionism. However, Vedanta insists that consciousness is independent of matter. Does Vedanta speak of matter as a product of consciousness? Does the deceleration of consciousness lead to the production of matter? We can argue that matter is substrate-dependent. That matter is composed of molecules. Molecules are composed of atoms. Atoms are made of protons, neutrons, electrons. And these are made of quarks. Quarks are made of super strings, etc. I hope that one day scientists will break the super strings into smaller particles. Matter is dissected (almost dissappearing) even from the scientific point of view.

    I guess consciousness makes Super Strings, but is that something Vedanta talks about? Thank you for your answer.

    1. Hi Nicholas. This is a common question and debate as you likely know.

      Science can take us up to strings or smaller in the future. However what science can’t explain or doesn’t address is Intelligence that’s assembling specific amount of quarks, neutrons/protons, atoms, molecules… in order to create a functional form at each level… which then has a relationship to another form.

      For example:

      2H & 1O = water. If it’s 3H, then it’s not water. If it’s 2O, then it’s not water.

      Then 1 Sodium + 1 Chlorine = Sodium Chloride.

      Then combine Water & Sodium Chloride, and that makes Salt.

      Salt further plays crucial role in ecosystem. Body needs salt.

      Then nature further creates a salt purification system, by evaporating the water into the clouds by the sun, leaving the salt behind, and falling into rivers. The rivers supply pure water for fish and wildlife.

      Meaning, whatever knows about the water, must also know about the salt, must also know about sun, clouds, purification, wildlife. That’s the only way the whole thing can have a relationship to each other – by being in presence of intelligence which knows about it all at once.

      And intelligence can’t put things together unless it’s in the presence of a conscious being. A genius in a coma is of no use. Only when his intelligence is blessed by consciousness is he able to create, sustain and change his own world.

      Similarly, the total intelligence that’s manifesting as atoms, has no existence apart from Consciousness.

      In short: Before we even mention the word “consciousness”, we need to first understand the universe of forms is nothing but manifestation of intelligence appearing as forms. Only then the word “Consciousness” can be understood for what it really is.

      However science hasn’t even begun to address Intelligence that puts the particles together. Yet they’re talking about Consciousness. Consciousness without Intelligence (God in English) can never be understood.

      This is the short of it. Much more explained in this course.

      Let me know your thoughts, if any.

  5. Thank you Andre for your answer. During this course, I suppose you will explain that consciousness is responsible for the creation of the 5 elements and perhaps their permutations and combinations have resulted in matter.

    Yes, science doesn’t talk about intelligence.

    When you write “Likewise, the total intelligence that manifests itself in the form of atoms has no existence outside of Consciousness,” answers my question.

    1. Correct, during the course, model of creation is discussed multiple times. General order given is: Consciousness > enjoys capacity to manifest and this capacity is in form of intelligence > 5 elements manifested > universe of forms as we see.

      Science can take us up to time-space. However need different kind of “science book” to discover that which is prior to time-space, which is where Vedanta takes over.

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