Spiritual Enlightenment

Author(s): Yogindu Deva, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Radiant Publishers

Page 11

Preface
In declaring “Appa so Paramappa", i.e. the Self is really Paramatman, Brahman or God himself, Yogindu proclaims the positive aspects of personality, the independence of soul and that the self is the architect of his own destiny. Self-reliance holds the key to success in life. The work highlights the fact that if man can get rid of one's weaknesses and impurities, such as attachment, aversion, sensual pleasures and passions, and be established in sama-bhava (equanimity) he can be pure self, i.e. Paramatman. Atman or self is the preliminary stage, while Paramatman is the highest stage of development of personality.
Written primarily from the nishchaya (real) point of view, this work asserts that attachment, infatuation and passions, etc. are not the real attributes of the soul but are the result of the contamination of the soul because of its association with other substances, giving rise to desires, sensual enjoyments, and attachment to worldly possessions.
Enlightenment consists in the discriminative insight or "great light” in regard to the real nature of Self which enables Atman to see, know and meditate upon the soul independently of these conditioning factors or influences called Karma. Shorn of external paraphernalia, the soul shines forth in spiritual effulgence (Paramatma Prakash), attains infinite knowledge and supreme bliss and becomes enlightened.