When we want to recognize the truth of the self, we need a mind, whose restlessness and clinging to its own stories, we can simply put aside for a while, so that we can recognize that we do have an existence independent of the mind-body-world.
In that quiet frame of mind, we can definitely confirm for
ourselves that :-
1.
Whatever is perceived, like the world, the body,
activities, sensations, thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, ignorance all
are:-
a.
Subject to change – temporary, time-bound
b.
Dependent
on their causes, and totally dependent upon ‘I’, the conscious being
to make themselves known. Therefore they are subject to discontinuance. They
come up to go in the presence of consciousness, the self
c.
Limited by simply being themselves, beside being
limited in time
WHEREAS
2.
The consciousness that shines as ‘I’ is
self-evident, self-existent and INDEPENDENT of all that stands revealed in its
ever-presence. We must confirm for ourselves, meaning recognize without the
shadow of a doubt, that consciousness, the self, is self-evident,
self-revealing and is ever-present in every cognition, in every emotion, in
every feeling, in every sensation, in every activity and yet INDEPENDENT and
therefore not changed or affected by the presence of these, even as light is
unaffected by what is illumined in its presence. Consciousness illumines by its
very presence and everything else is illumined. Perception simply takes place
in the presence of self-existent, independent consciousness.
3.
Consciousness is the independent principle – and
one must recognize as one’s own truth that the consciousness that is the self,
is not limited by any object whatsoever, nor by space, nor by time
It
is really all about recognition of consciousness-I as is – without superimposing
anything, not even an idea on it. It is not really a new experience, because
consciousness has always been present as the very self, in every experience. It
is simply recognizing the same ever-present consciousness-I as it is, without
mixing it up with what is illumined in its presence.
Once
the independent nature of consciousness is truly recognized and owned up, the
presence of one’s mind is not a disturbance or a problem. One’s existence as a
body-mind is recognized for what it is – a dependent reality which cannot in
reality disturb one’s self. Perception
still takes place, sensations do take place and one does enjoy an enlightened
functional identity and so activities take place– and one recognizes that even
though everything goes on as before, one is indeed free – totally free. What goes
is one’s sense of reality in being a limited individual.
Om
Tat Sat