Your Self is Supreme Reality
The Vedantic tradition upholds the fundamental truth that the individual self, the Atman, is none other than the supreme Reality, the Brahman. This absolute, non-dual consciousness is the very essence of your being, the core of your existence. It is the eternal, unchanging substratum that underlies the ever-changing phenomenal world.
The Atman, your true Self, is not to be confused with the ego, the limited, conditioned sense of "I." The ego is a product of your mind and intellect, whereas the Atman is the pure, unadulterated consciousness that transcends the boundaries of the mind.
Drift in Religion
Unfortunately, the true message of Vedanta has been obscured by the proliferation of blind faith, mechanical rituals, and rigid dogmas in the name of religion. People have become passive recipients of religious teachings, blindly accepting the views and opinions of others without engaging in independent inquiry and reflection.
This has led to the spiritual stagnation of humanity, as the higher values of religion have been reduced to superficial practices and allegiance to personalities. The essence of Vedanta, which is to empower individuals to realize their own divine nature, has been lost in the maze of superstitions and parasitic ideas.
The Problem of Introversion
The primary reason for this predicament is the human tendency to be extroverted, constantly seeking power, joy, and knowledge in the external world. Ignorant of the infinite wealth within, people are drawn towards the tantalizing attractions of the material realm, unaware that the true kingdom of heaven lies within their own self.
The paradox arises from the reluctance to turn inwards and recognize the inherent desires that veil the Self. Unless one looks within, the infinite nature of the Self remains elusive, and the individual remains trapped in the cycle of external pursuit.
The Turkey and the Ant
This propensity to look outward rather than inward can be illustrated by the story of the turkey and the ant:
A turkey was once asked by an ant, "Why do you always look up at the sky?" The turkey replied, "I am searching for the kingdom of heaven." The ant then asked, "But why don't you look down, where the kingdom of heaven truly lies?" The turkey, being too proud and ignorant, dismissed the ant's wisdom and continued its fruitless search in the sky.
This fable aptly represents the human condition, where individuals are preoccupied with the pursuit of the Divine in the external realm, oblivious to the fact that the Supreme Reality resides within them, waiting to be discovered.
Path of Reality
To embark on the journey of self-realization, one must first understand the nature of knowledge and the means by which it can be attained. Vedanta prescribes four primary means of acquiring knowledge:
- Pratyaksha (Direct Perception): Gaining knowledge through the direct experience of the senses.
- Anumana (Inference): Deriving knowledge through logical reasoning and deduction.
- Upama (Comparison): Attaining knowledge by drawing comparisons and analogies.
- Agama (Tradition): Acquiring knowledge through the teachings and traditions passed down by realized sages and scriptures.
The ultimate goal is to transcend the limitations of these four means and directly apprehend the supreme Reality, the Brahman, which is beyond the grasp of the mind and senses. This is the path of self-realization, the journey of the individual self merging with the absolute Self.