SELF-ENQUIRY & Iness’
by Atman Nityananda
The most important aspect to enquire into is the sense of “I,” which causes us to identify with the body, mind, thoughts, emotions, etc.
It is this “I” or ego that is imbued with a reflection of consciousness, the subject of all our experiences.Consciousness or awareness by itself cannot perceive anything; it cannot become aware of anything.
It is the mind, endowed with the reflection of consciousness, that can experience everything, and the ego or I-ness is the center of the mind, becoming the agent of all experiences.
Consciousness, of course, is the ultimate subject, as it is the light that enables all perceptions to happen. It is this light of consciousness that makes all experiences possible. We are aware of everything because of this light of consciousness, but without the instrument called mind, we cannot perceive anything anyway.
Just as sunlight needs to reflect on something to be perceived, the light of consciousness requires a medium to reflect on in order to be perceived. Thus, the reflection of the light of consciousness on the mind enables the experience of this light of consciousness itself, as well as the perception of all other objects that it reflects on, whether they are external to the mind or mental-emotional forms created by the mind itself.
The most important aspect of inquiry is to investigate the source of the sense of “I” or ego. The source of the “I” or ego is the ever-present, silent background or substratum of this sense of “I”. This inner space of silence embraces the “I” and all other experiences, just as outer space embraces all sense objects.
Remember that the “I” is primarily identified with the physical form, making us feel and believe we are the body, a body-mind entity.
By seeking the source of the “I” or by being fully aware of this “I,” we connect with the inner silence that underlies this sense of “I.”
Once we make this connection, our aim is to abide as firmly as possible in this underlying silence, realising in the course of time that we are indeed this silence, and establishing ourselves in it. This establishment involves the complete dissolution of the inner ego with all its tendencies, desires, defects, emotions, etc.
The ‘secret’ to a plentiful life, a life of harmony, happiness and contentment is to have a sattvic mind free from desires and ego and to live in every moment in conscious contact with our true Self (Consciousness).
🌺 Peace, Love, Harmony
atmannityanada 