Enlightened Vision of the Self

Author(s): Akalankadev, Devendra K Goyal
Publisher: Radiant Publishers New Delhi

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FOREWORD
innermost core, the innate nature (szaruppa) of every living being. God is nothing but our own pure and infinite Self. There is no separate, super, absolute, purely transcendental entity, God, or divine agency existing independently of any relation to temporal empirical existence, apart from this godliness, our own pure and infinite Self or pure consciousness of one's own essential nature (starupa). In this connection, J. Krishnamurti remarks:
Knowing that we are conditioned we invent a divine agency which we piously hope will get us out of this mechanical state. We either postulate its existence outside or inside ourselves, -as the atman, the soul, the Kingdom of Heaven which is within, and who knows what else! To these beliefs we cling desperately, not seeing that they themselves are part of the conditioning factor, which they are supposed to destroy or redeem. So not being able to uncondition ourselves in this world, and not even seeing that conditioning is the problem, we think that freedom is in Heaven, in Moksha, in Nirvana.112
The realization of the natural state or status of the Self (szaruppa) is free from all traits of egoism, selfishness or individuality, not only those based on possessions and prosperity, social standing, political prowess or intellectual superiority, but also those based on spiritual upliftment of an individual which is self-centered, egoistic and selfish. The greed for money, wealth, popularity and fame is specific to human race alone and arises primarily as an ingredient to feel the ego. The subtle infatuation of the Self (zamoba of sza) is so deep-seated and insidious that even saints or the ascetics, who give up home and possessions and claim to be completely non-attached to external things, are found to be attached to their position, prestige, popularity, name and fame (khyati-prga-labha) and are seen taking pride in their excellence in jnana (knowledge), tapa (austerities or penances), dhana (meditation) or other spiritual practices, including possession of so-called supernatural miraculous powers tartra, martra, etc. There is a saying in Hindi: “kanchan tajna sahaj hai, sahaj trja ka neh, maan, badai, irshja, durlabh tajna jeh." (The ladies can read pija, i.e. husband, in peace of tija, i.e. wife or woman). In other words, it is easy to give up gold, i.e.